SteamWorld Dig

Mechanics

In SteamWorld Dig for PC, SWITCH and etc. the player is traveling through caves, avoiding traps, fighting enemies, collecting resources and making sure that he always has access to light. Because the protagonist has a drill (and other tools, like pickaxes), the gameplay is in some ways similar to Minecraft – the player isn’t only traveling through the roads created by the developers, but can make their own tunnels as well. Thanks to that the game features something in the shape of an open world in which the player can freely decide in which direction they will go. After filling the backpack it is possible to return to the surface, to Tumbletown, where the inhabitants will eagerly buy minerals the player found for items like fuel for the drill, tools, sources of light, weapons and explosives. It is possible to buy or obtain upgrades for the protagonist. Among the available bonuses there are ones that increase Rusty’s health or ones that enable him to jump longer.

Technical aspects

SteamWorld Dig for PC, SWITCH and etc. features hand-drawn, two-dimensional graphics. The title doesn’t lack colors, but the well-implemented dynamic light makes the adventure dark and disturbing whenever the protagonist lacks light. As it was mentioned, the universe combines traits of steampunk and western. This can be seen both in designs of characters as well as levels and in music.