Other M.U.L.E.-inspired computer games

Posted on by

M.U.L.E. is a cool and unique game. A masterpiece of gaming history. Naturally, over the many years since it’s release in 1983, other developers have strived to produce similar games. These “hommages” or “clones” can be categorized in commercial releases and hobbyist projects.

Also, there are some M.U.L.E. inspired developments which do not clone the original M.U.L.E.’s gameplay, but go in a different direction. I call them “Oddities”.

In this section, you find the entry point to information about these clones. Click on the game title for details about each game: General description, downloads (if available), playing guides, articles/reviews etc.

Commercial releases:

  • 1991: Traders
    • platforms: Amiga, Atari ST, PC DOS
    • developed by Linel, published by Merit Games
  • 1992: Subtrade – Return to Irata
    • platforms: Amiga, PC DOS
    • developed by Century Interactive, published by Boeder
  • 2002: Space HoRSE
    • platform: PC Windows (?)
    • developed by Gilligames, published by Shrapnel Games
  • 2018: Space Moguls
    • platform: Commodore 64
    • developed by Carl-Henrik Skarstedt, published by Protovision

Hobbyist projects:

  • 2016: M.U.L.E. Adventure
    • platform: C64
    • “developed” by Goethe, latest version: just a mockup
  • 1993: R.U.L.E.
    • platform: PC DOS
    • developed by Thomas Ehlers, latest version: 1.0
  • 1993: M.U.L.E. 386
    • platform: PC DOS
    • programmed by Bjoern Sander, latest version: 0.5b
  • 1997: TZ Colony
    • platform: PC Windows 3.1
    • programmed by Thomas Zeh, latest version: 1.01

Oddities

  • 2007: MULE Wars
    • platform: Atari 8-bit (400/800/XL/XE)
    • developed by Mario Caillahuz, latest version: 1.1
  • 2019: Wampus
    • platform: NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)
    • developed by John Vanderhoef, latest version: Nov 20th 2019

Other hobbyist projects include Future Trade (Amiga) and Star Colony (Atari ST), but little is known about these and I am currently unable to play them for evaluation. Further research is needed.