Can someone please explain the diff chars?

[Majestic Robo-Corn]

Whats the difference between chars?

[SethLios]

Here's a list of the maximum upgrades for each character, along with any special properties they have:

Karl Redden/Tom Core Keeling/Daisy Kane/Ivana Korlov

• Level 6 Fuel Tank
  
• Level 6 Cargo Size
  
• Level 6 Hull Strength
  
• Level 5 Smelter
  
• Level 6 Drill Speed
  
• Level 6 Rotor Speed
  
• Level 6 Tread Speed

Demitri Ubekov

• Level 5 Fuel Tank
  
• Level 5 Cargo Size
  
• Level 5 Hull Strength
  
• Level 4 Smelter
  
• Level 5 Drill Speed
  
• Level 5 Rotor Speed
  
• Level 5 Tread Speed
  
• Infinite Electron Bombs

Ana Banketik

• Level 7 Fuel Tank
  
• Level 7 Cargo Size
  
• Level 6 Hull Strength
  
• Level 5 Smelter
  
• Level 6 Drill Speed
  
• Level 6 Rotor Speed
  
• Level 6 Tread Speed
  
• Infinite T-Bombs

Laika (1954-1957)

• Level 4 Fuel Tank
  
• Level 4 Cargo Size
  
• Level 1 Hull Strength
  
• Level 3 Smelter
  
• Level 4 Drill Speed
  
• Level 4 Rotor Speed
  
• Level 4 Tread Speed
  
• Completely Immune To Hull Damage

Prototype M

• Level 6 Fuel Tank
  
• Level 6 Cargo Size
  
• Level 4 Hull Strength
  
• Level 5 Smelter
  
• Level 7 Drill Speed
  
• Level 7 Rotor Speed
  
• Level 7 Tread Speed

Simulacrum

• Level 6 Fuel Tank
  
• Level 6 Cargo Size
  
• Level 6 Hull Strength
  
• Level 5 Smelter
  
• Level 6 Drill Speed
  
• Level 6 Rotor Speed
  
• Level 6 Tread Speed
  
• Infinite Teleporters

Abbadon

• Level 7 Fuel Tank
  
• Level 7 Cargo Size
  
• Level 7 Hull Strength
  
• Level 6 Smelter
  
• Level 7 Drill Speed
  
• Level 7 Rotor Speed
  
• Level 7 Tread Speed

The Drill Bit and Radar upgrades are the same for everybody, and are connected directly to each save file. When you get to the boss, you'll automatically get the Level 6 Smelter upgrade and unlock every possible combo, even ones that weren't available to a character before then. As far as I can tell, everyone has the same special upgrades available to them, though I'm not sure if it's possible for Hardcore characters to get the Oil Extractor upgrade.

[ThatWasUnfortunate]

Best post on here. Thanks!
End-game algorithms that worked for me so far in unlocking some of these characters:
Simulacrum: Choose "Tiberius"-->"Earth"
Demitri Ubekov: Choose neither Earth nor Mars (wait for timer to expire)
Abbadon: Choose "Abbadon"-->"Mars"

[Mystra4]

Other characters:

Laika: Complete the game with Abbadon (unsure on this one)
Prototype-M: Wait on the title screen without pressing Enter/X. Eventually you'll see a little mining vehicle zip onto the screen doing acrobatic tricks, this unlocks Prototype M.

[Psymon²]

Originally posted by Avalon4:

Other characters:

Laika: Complete the game with Abbadon (unsure on this one)
Prototype-M: Wait on the title screen without pressing Enter/X. Eventually you'll see a little mining vehicle zip onto the screen doing acrobatic tricks, this unlocks Prototype M.

I completed normal with abbadon, didn't unlock Laika

[SethLios]

Originally posted by Psymon²:

I completed normal with abbadon, didn't unlock Laika :tcry:

Choose to help Abbadon, then destroy Mars. You don't need to be playing as Abbadon.

[Psymon²]

Originally posted by SethLios:

Originally posted by Psymon²:

I completed normal with abbadon, didn't unlock Laika

Choose to help Abbadon, then destroy Mars. You don't need to be playing as Abbadon.

That conflicts with what Halbatross says, but I'll give it a go, thanks.

[SethLios]

Originally posted by Psymon²:

Originally posted by SethLios:

Choose to help Abbadon, then destroy Mars. You don't need to be playing as Abbadon.

That conflicts with what Halbatross says, but I'll give it a go, thanks.

Halbatross is mistaken (unless they've changed things around since I last played, but I doubt that).

You unlock Abbadon by choosing to help him, then destroying Earth.