History VideoGame / Motherload

''[[http://www.miniclip.com/games/motherload/en/ Motherload]]'' is a [[UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash flash]] DiggingGame developed by [=XGen=] Studios in 2004. The game takes place on Mars [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture sometime in the future]] in a small martian mining outpost. The player controls a lone [[DrillTank mining pod]] and is tasked to drill underneath the planet's surface in search of valuable ores. The gameplay is based on the mechanics of ''VideoGame/DigDug'', except that there are no [[{{Mooks}} Pookas and Fygars]] to be seen under the surface--the entire challenge of the game comes solely from navigating the hazardous Martian sub terrain for ore and hauling it to the surface alive with the mining pod intact and without running out of fuel. As the miner reaches deeper under the Martian surface, [[ApocalypticLog various clues and transmissions]] begin to hint at something [[DarkSecret larger and more sinister going on]], of which the answer seems to be hidden even deeper under the planet.

* BirdPeople: [[spoiler:If Abaddon is any example, this is what the ancient martians were.]]

* CallARabbitASmeerp: Downplayed. The game inexplicably insist to call the first metals to be found (Iron, Bronze, Silver and Gold) as Ironium, Bronzium, Silverium and Goldium. The "-ium" suffix is derived from Latin, which added it to all their words for metals (Iron being Ferrum, Silver being Argentium and Gold being Aurum, with Bronze, an alloy, being Aes).

* [[spoiler:{{Affably Evil}}]]: [[spoiler: Mr. Natas, at first, who offers you money, congratulations, advice and safety warnings.]]

* {{Teleportation}}: Comes in two variants, both from purchasable one-use items that bring you back to the surface. The Quantum Teleporter is cheaper but can malfunction and violently shove you into the ground, potentially killing you. The Matter Transmitter is more expensive, but has a perfect safety record.

* ArtisticLicenseAstronomy: Mars doesn't have one big moon. It has two tiny ones.

Despite its infamously random [[spoiler:{{Gainax Ending}}]] of sorts, Motherload is easily one of [=XGen=]'s most popular, if not their most popular game to date. Another game based on the original, [[http://supermotherload.tumblr.com Super Motherload]], was a launch title for the [=PS4=]. In addition to featuring HD graphics and local co-op multiplayer, it features new gameplay mechanics, multiple endings, and an optional "Hardcore" mode. Purchasers can also enjoy The Goldium Edition (Full version) of the original for free.

* ArtisticLicenseAstronomy: Mars doesn't have one big moon. It has two tiny ones. In-game, marsquakes (like earthquakes, but on Mars) happen frequently, forcing you to dig new tunnels; in real life, marsquakes have yet to be detected. They may be extremely rare or nonexistent, as Mars is not geologically active like Earth.

* SplashDamageAbuse: [[spoiler:Mr. Natas' second form's claw attack can hit through the ceiling of the boss level.]]

[[caption-width-right:307:[[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Digging tunnels, day after day. That's my job.]]]]''[[http://www.miniclip.com/games/motherload/en/ Motherload]]'' is a [[UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash flash]] DiggingGame game developed by [=XGen=] Studios in 2004. The game takes place on Mars [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture sometime in the future]] in a small martian mining outpost. The player controls a lone [[DrillTank mining pod]] and is tasked to drill underneath the planet's surface in search of valuable ores. The gameplay is based on the mechanics of ''VideoGame/DigDug'', except that there are no [[{{Mooks}} Pookas and Fygars]] to be seen under the surface--the entire challenge of the game comes solely from navigating the hazardous Martian sub terrain for ore and hauling it to the surface alive with the mining pod intact and without running out of fuel. As the miner reaches deeper under the Martian surface, [[ApocalypticLog various clues and transmissions]] begin to hint at something [[DarkSecret larger and more sinister going on]], of which the answer seems to be hidden even deeper under the planet.

* ItWasHisSled: [[spoiler: As in the original game, your (initial) mission control has a hidden agenda, and you have a boss fight with him at the planet's core. However...]]

* DevilButNoGod: [[strike:Played straight in the normal edition. In the Goldium edition, you can encounter [[{{God}} Mr. Dog]] if you fly high enough.]]

* [[spoiler:DevilButNoGod: Played straight in the normal edition. In the Goldium edition, you can encounter [[{{God}} Mr. Dog]] if you fly high enough.]]

!!Super Motherload Features the following Tropes:

* [[spoiler:BirdPeople: If Abaddon is any example, this is what the ancient martians were.]]
* [[spoiler: ItWasHisSled: As in the original game, your (initial) mission control has a hidden agenda, and you have a boss fight with him at the planet's core. However...]]
** [[spoiler: NotHisSled: ...unlike the original game, Satan isn't the BigBad. A space alien named Abaddon is.]]

* AlternateHistory: Said to be set in a world where the Cold War ended differently. [[AllThereInTheManual Not that you would ever guess this.]]

[[caption-width-right:307:[[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Digging tunnels, day after day. That's my job.]]]]''[[http://www.miniclip.com/games/motherload/en/ Motherload]]'' is a flash game developed by [=XGen=] Studios in 2004. The game takes place on Mars [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture sometime in the future]] in a small martian mining outpost. The player controls a lone [[DrillTank mining pod]] and is tasked to drill underneath the planet's surface in search of valuable ores. The gameplay is based on the mechanics of ''VideoGame/DigDug'', except that there are no [[{{Mooks}} Pookas and Fygars]] to be seen under the surface--the entire challenge of the game comes solely from navigating the hazardous Martian sub terrain for ore and hauling it to the surface alive with the mining pod intact and without running out of fuel. As the miner reaches deeper under the Martian surface, [[ApocalypticLog various clues and transmissions]] begin to hint at something [[DarkSecret larger and more sinister going on]], of which the answer seems to be hidden even deeper under the planet.

Despite its infamously random [[spoiler:{{Gainax Ending}}]] of sorts, Motherload is easily one of [=XGen=]'s most popular, if not their most popular game to date. Another game based on the original, [[http://supermotherload.tumblr.com Super Motherload]], was a launch title for the [=PS4=]. In addition to featuring HD graphics and local co-op multiplayer, it features new gameplay mechanics, multiple endings, and an optional "Hardcore" mode.

* CollisionDamage

* ArtisticLicenseAstronomy: Mars doesn't have one big moon. It has two tiny ones.

Despite its infamously random [[spoiler:{{Gainax Ending}}]] of sorts, Motherload is easily one of [=XGen=]'s most popular, if not their most popular game to date. Another game based on the original, [[http://supermotherload.tumblr.com Super Motherload]], was a launch title for the PS4. In addition to featuring HD graphics and local co-op multiplayer, it features new gameplay mechanics, multiple endings, and an optional "Hardcore" mode.

Despite its infamously random [[spoiler:{{Gainax Ending}}]] of sorts, Motherload is easily one of [=XGen=]'s most popular, if not their most popular game to date. Another game based on the original, [[http://supermotherload.tumblr.com Super Motherload]], was recently announced and will be available upon the release of the Playstation 4.

[[caption-width-right:307:[[TengenToppaGurrenLagann Digging tunnels, day after day. That's my job.]]]]''[[http://www.miniclip.com/games/motherload/en/ Motherload]]'' is a flash game developed by [=XGen=] Studios in 2004. The game takes place on Mars [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture sometime in the future]] in a small martian mining outpost. The player controls a lone [[DrillTank mining pod]] and is tasked to drill underneath the planet's surface in search of valuable ores. The gameplay is based on the mechanics of ''VideoGame/DigDug'', except that there are no [[{{Mooks}} Pookas and Fygars]] to be seen under the surface--the entire challenge of the game comes solely from navigating the hazardous Martian sub terrain for ore and hauling it to the surface alive with the mining pod intact and without running out of fuel. As the miner reaches deeper under the Martian surface, [[ApocalypticLog various clues and transmissions]] begin to hint at something [[DarkSecret larger and more sinister going on]], of which the answer seems to be hidden even deeper under the planet.

[[caption-width-right:307:[[TengenToppaGurrenLagann Digging tunnels, day after day. That's my job.]]]]''[[http://www.miniclip.com/games/motherload/en/ Motherload]]'' is a flash game developed by [=XGen=] Studios in 2004. The game takes place on Mars [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture sometime in the future]] in a small martian mining outpost. The player controls a lone [[DrillTank mining pod]] and is tasked to drill underneath the planet's surface in search of valuable ores. The gameplay is based on the mechanics of {{Dig Dug}}, except that there are no [[{{Mooks}} Pookas and Fygars]] to be seen under the surface--the entire challenge of the game comes solely from navigating the hazardous Martian sub terrain for ore and hauling it to the surface alive with the mining pod intact and without running out of fuel. As the miner reaches deeper under the Martian surface, [[ApocalypticLog various clues and transmissions]] begin to hint at something [[DarkSecret larger and more sinister going on]], of which the answer seems to be hidden even deeper under the planet.

* StuffBlowingUp: The dynamite and the more powerful plastic explosives. Around -1000ft rocks that cannot be dug into appears, and insta-kill lava pockets show up around -3000ft. Both must be dealt with explosives ([[ArtisticLicensePhysics because the best way to get rid of lava is to blow it up]]). [[spoiler:Around -5000ft invisible natural gas pockets may blow everything next to you up like dynamite but also causes heavy damage, and the boss can only be defeated with explosives.]]

* [[spoiler:{{Affably Evil}}]]: [[spoiler: Mr. Natas, at first, who offers you money, congratulations, advice and safety warning.]]