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Super Motherload similar games & best alternatives

Super Motherload

PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 • 2014

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Quick resume

Set on Mars in an alternate Cold-War era, Super Motherload is a 1 to 4-player couch co-op digging adventure with storyline by Image Comics' Kurtis Wiebe, a fully voiced cast of Soviet and American characters, and a procedurally-generated world that changes each time you play.

Global score

76/100

Genres

Adventure, Casual, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Faithful to original motherload gameplay
    • Local 4-player co-op
    • Engaging puzzle and combo mechanics
    • Immersive soundtrack and voice acting
    • Includes original motherload goldium edition

    Cons

    • No online multiplayer
    • Some performance and crash issues reported
    • Game can become repetitive and grindy
    • Final boss fight considered tedious by some
    • Limited character customization and expression

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Status, Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players have freedom to choose characters, upgrade paths, and puzzle-solving strategies, though gameplay follows a core loop of mining and upgrading."

    • Competence
      3

      "Players engage in skillful route planning, puzzle solving with bombs, and resource management, with some challenge especially in Hardcore mode."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is on personal progress and cooperative play rather than competing against others; no online multiplayer and no ranked modes."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Addictive gameplay loop with upgrades and multiple characters encourages repeated play sessions and replayability."

    • Cooperation
      4

      "Supports local co-op for up to 4 players with shared screen, encouraging teamwork and coordination."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Players create mining routes and use bombs strategically; some customization in character choice and upgrades."

    • Domination
      -4

      "Interactions are cooperative and balanced; no evidence of dominance or power imposition over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a relaxing, nostalgic escape with immersive atmosphere and story elements."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and nostalgia, not out of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players experiment with bomb types, mining combos, and puzzle solutions to optimize resource gathering."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Players explore procedurally generated underground environments and puzzles, discovering new areas and secrets."

    • Expression
      1

      "Limited character selection and upgrades offer some self-expression, but mostly standardized presentation."

    • Fantasy
      2

      "Set on Mars with a sci-fi narrative and supernatural elements, providing an imaginative fictional experience."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Local multiplayer and shared goals foster a sense of community and group identity during play."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop skills in route planning, puzzle solving, and resource management, with character progression."

    • Health
      -5

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention during mining and puzzle solving; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Local co-op encourages social interaction and bonding, though no evidence of deep emotional sharing."

    • Leadership
      -2

      "Players collaborate without formal leadership roles; cooperative play is balanced and shared."

    • Progression
      4

      "Strong emphasis on accumulating upgrades, unlocking characters, and improving equipment."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Gameplay is described as relaxing and meditative, balancing challenge with flow."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Enjoyable visuals, soundtracks, and effects provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    • Status
      -4

      "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on personal and cooperative achievement."

    • Story
      3

      "Includes a narrative with voice acting and plot elements that engage players beyond gameplay."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Players plan routes, manage resources, and solve puzzles requiring logical thinking and tactics."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some suspense from hazards, boss fights, and resource management, but overall moderate tension."

    • Value
      3

      "Players perceive good value from nostalgia, gameplay depth, and inclusion of original game."

    • Violence
      -3

      "Gameplay focuses on mining and puzzle solving; combat is limited to bomb usage without graphic violence."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players manage fuel, hull integrity, and hazards to avoid failure, especially in Hardcore mode."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026