SteamWorld Dig

 3DS
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 144 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 114 out of 144
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 144
  3. Negative: 15 out of 144

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  1. DweevilDude
    Jun 10, 2015
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Starting off with the positive- this game has an interesting idea, and decent art direction. Unfortunately, that's not enough to carry the game at all.
    The plot- It exists. That's all.
    The Gameplay- It feels like this game was trying to be half-metriodvania, half digging game. Unfortunately, those are two great tastes which do not go well together. At least not in this game. You end up with a half-baked platforming levels, and a digging game that would be at home in old flash games.
    -Platforming levels- This is where your gear gets to shine. It's true that some of the later mini-levels are a little fun, and the controls are nice. Perhaps if the game focused on them, it might actually be kinda interesting. Instead...
    -The Dig- This is will take up most of your time. And it's not really fun. Sure, you can find mini-platforming levels, but otherwise, you're just digging to get stuff, go back to surface, sell, dig, surface, sell... yeah. Oh, and most of your fun movement-based upgrades are almost worthless. Your dashing upgrade is great, except your primary goal is to go downward, not to the side- invincible barriers prevent you from going too far to one side. Your super-jump upgrade would be nice, if you couldn't already wall jump to your hearts content. And you do eventually get a drill... that's practically the same as your pickaxe.
    -Combat- Is lacking, but it wasn't the games selling point, so I'll leave it alone.
    -Upgrades- There are some nice, fun, metroidvania style upgrades. Three of them, to be precise. Almost everything else is boring stat ups, more or less. Almost everything you buy with money or the orbs in the town area is a simple stat-up. More Health, Better digging, longer lasting light, etc.
    -Length- Oh, here's the rich part. Despite having a rather slow grind, and the fact I didn't try to speedrun the game... I finished it in 3 hours. Replaybility is... lacking.

    Final result- Just go buy something else. Like digging? There are more than plenty of games got you covered there.
    Like platforming? Get a platforming game.
    Like Metroidvanias? Get a metroidvania.

    Personal recommendation- if you're looking for a game like this, but the shortcomings of this game bug you, pick up a copy of Terraria.    … Expand
  2. Trey82
    Feb 17, 2020
    4
    Soundtrack - Eh. Appropriate for what little there is.
    Visuals - Artsy, appropriate, easy to identify.. but ultimately bland because you only have a tiny window of opportunity to see anything. (Your light goes out too soon, and while a good gameplay feature, its too short-lived and too limited by a lack of upgrades. Unless you are fond of 4 minute runs OVER AND OVER.Scientific fact, kids    Soundtrack - Eh. Appropriate for what little there is.
    Visuals - Artsy, appropriate, easy to identify.. but ultimately bland because you only have a tiny window of opportunity to see anything. (Your light goes out too soon, and while a good gameplay feature, its too short-lived and too limited by a lack of upgrades. Unless you are fond of 4 minute runs OVER AND OVER.Scientific fact, kids love repetition and simple things.)
    Gameplay pros and cons:
    combat: Useless and purely defensive, you wont be killing too many enemies and you wont enjoy it.
    Digging: Extremely easy, but very quickly turns into a 'omg I only went 50 more meters and now every rock takes 3 hits.. until I upgrade the pick. But you'll hit progression walls (so to speak) at every turn. Either progress the story (complete a 2 minute cave and read a paragraph of nonexistent backstory EVERY TIME) or spam ore/gem runs until you can get the next upgrades.

    Difficulty ramp: It isnt hard, its just cheap. Risk vs reward is nice and all, but every journey could have been INFINITELY better if you didnt force progression walls. I would rather run the gauntlet x100 times just to upgrade 100 more seconds on my torch than dig into the abyss another 20 meters, go into a story cave and find out I can now drink water or jump higher.)

    Open-ended, creative stat increases would make the game far more enjoyable. But its too late, now.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best 3DS Game of 2013
19
#19 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2013
25
#25 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Everyeye.it
    Oct 21, 2013
    85
    SteamWorld Dig is a great example of how the catalog of e-Shop is always more deserving of attention.
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  2. 3DJuegos
    Oct 16, 2013
    80
    A compelling 2D adventure game that resembles the beloved portable incarnations of cult franchises such as Metroid or Castlevania.
    Read full review
  3. IGN Italia
    Oct 1, 2013
    85
    Steamworld Dig is a great game, a tiny masterpiece, with a sublime gameplay which works perfectly, thanks to an intuitive and extremely fluid control system. One of the best for the eShop.
    Read full review
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