Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Perfect for those who love video game progression mixed with deck-building strategy. The board's scrolling system is the real highlight!
Highlights
- Very satisfying sense of progression
- Innovative scrolling simulation
- Well-executed mining theme
- Interesting balance of luck and strategy
Keep in mind
- Moderate initial learning curve
- Requires strict spatial planning
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Imagine you're the leader of an elite crew of Pod pilots working for the Solarus Corporation. The setting? Mars, in the near future, where an infinite source of precious minerals has been discovered deep beneath the red crust. These resources are the key to ending Earth's energy crisis and fueling deep space expeditions as the population overflows. Your mission is straightforward yet challenging: dive into the Martian depths, mine everything you can, and become the most legendary employee in the galaxy.
In terms of gameplay, Super Motherload blends deck-building with tile placement in a very innovative way. You start with a basic deck, but as you excavate and collect minerals, you use that wealth to hire new pilots and upgrade their skills. The stronger your deck, the more efficient you become at bombing and drilling through the terrain. The genius touch is the board: tiles are added and removed during the match, simulating the 'scrolling' action typical of video games, which requires you to carefully plan your spatial positioning.
To win, you need to accumulate the most Victory Points (VPs). These points are gained from the cards you add to your deck and from achievement cards that become available throughout the game. It's the kind of experience that appeals to those who enjoy the precision of Eurogames but still want a strong theme and a constant sense of progression. If you love seeing your crew grow more powerful while exploring the unknown, this game is for you. Get your drills ready, manage your hand, and happy mining!
In terms of gameplay, Super Motherload blends deck-building with tile placement in a very innovative way. You start with a basic deck, but as you excavate and collect minerals, you use that wealth to hire new pilots and upgrade their skills. The stronger your deck, the more efficient you become at bombing and drilling through the terrain. The genius touch is the board: tiles are added and removed during the match, simulating the 'scrolling' action typical of video games, which requires you to carefully plan your spatial positioning.
To win, you need to accumulate the most Victory Points (VPs). These points are gained from the cards you add to your deck and from achievement cards that become available throughout the game. It's the kind of experience that appeals to those who enjoy the precision of Eurogames but still want a strong theme and a constant sense of progression. If you love seeing your crew grow more powerful while exploring the unknown, this game is for you. Get your drills ready, manage your hand, and happy mining!
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
BEST
3
REC
4
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Roxley, Games Factory Publishing, XGen Studios
Designer
Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman
Artist
David Forest, Gavan Brown, Lina Cossette, Scott Carmichael
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
5,493owners
1,688wishlist
312want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is the game too complex?
It has a medium weight (2.27 on BGG), so it's not a gateway game, but it's not impossible. If you've played any deck-builder, you'll pick it up quickly.
How long does a game take?
It usually lasts about 60 minutes, depending on the group's experience and the number of players.
Do I need to know English to play?
Hardly! The game has very little text, and most information is intuitive or easy to memorize.
How many people can play?
From 2 to 4 players. It works well in any configuration, though the fight for space gets more intense with more players.
Is it recommended for people who dislike 'Euro' games?
If you love video games and the feeling of character progression, you'll enjoy it, even if you're not a fan of pure Eurogames, as the theme is very strong.
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