SteamWorld Dig

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 156 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 156
  2. Mixed: 56 out of 156
  3. Negative: 11 out of 156

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  1. xolve
    Sep 25, 2014
    7
    Good game - could have been great given a little more effort and time.
    As it was, some of the mechanics (radar for minerals) actually took away from the game's core values (discovery, exploration) while truncating gameplay.
    Also, you had the feeling that had the game been twice as long and with a more intricate plotline, it could've been gold.
  2. cAyou
    Jan 23, 2014
    7
    I enjoyed this game, honestly, but 10$ for 3 hours ! And most of these 3 hours are really repetitive. Yeah, you unlock many different upgrades, but the game design is always the same, dig dig dig, find 3 different challenge rooms in the level, plus some optional extra challenge rooms, and go to the next level.
    This game will get maybe an 8 if it was at least 5/6 hours long, but 3 hours is    I enjoyed this game, honestly, but 10$ for 3 hours ! And most of these 3 hours are really repetitive. Yeah, you unlock many different upgrades, but the game design is always the same, dig dig dig, find 3 different challenge rooms in the level, plus some optional extra challenge rooms, and go to the next level.
    This game will get maybe an 8 if it was at least 5/6 hours long, but 3 hours is really too short. Starting a game and finishing it in one try is not good enough for me, mostly when mechanics are that repetitive.    … Expand
  3. naroom
    Dec 8, 2013
    5
    We've had a renaissance of amazing platformers in recent years: Spelunky, Terraria, Braid, Cave Story, and so on. Steamworld: Dig is nowhere near these games. While it borrows mechanics from many other platformers, the whole is far less than the sum of its parts. The game is cluttered with unnecessary abilities, a very repetitive environment (it's just one big mineshaft...), andWe've had a renaissance of amazing platformers in recent years: Spelunky, Terraria, Braid, Cave Story, and so on. Steamworld: Dig is nowhere near these games. While it borrows mechanics from many other platformers, the whole is far less than the sum of its parts. The game is cluttered with unnecessary abilities, a very repetitive environment (it's just one big mineshaft...), and frustrating inconsistent mechanics (TNT barrels!) As if the digging didn't feel repetitive enough, the game limits your supply of "light", a resource that serves no other purpose than to make you walk all the way back to town periodically.

    It's really unfair to compare this to the pantheon of top-notch platformers, as so many reviewers have. It's nowhere near that level. It's a passable game on its own, but man, there's way better games out there. If you're looking to waste a few hours, you could do worse than Steamworld: Dig. But you could do a lot better, too.    … Expand
  4. CaKeS
    May 2, 2015
    6
    When compared to other titles of the same subgenre (which there are plenty of ever since Minecraft and Terraria got popular), SteamWorld looks like a decent title. The mining isn't as bland as many games, such as in Miner Dig Deep. In SteamWorld you get multiple tools, a few items, and multiple abilities which you attain throughout the game all the way up until the very end. TheWhen compared to other titles of the same subgenre (which there are plenty of ever since Minecraft and Terraria got popular), SteamWorld looks like a decent title. The mining isn't as bland as many games, such as in Miner Dig Deep. In SteamWorld you get multiple tools, a few items, and multiple abilities which you attain throughout the game all the way up until the very end. The progression is smooth and the balancing is very well done, but at the end of the day I can't help but see SteamWorld as pretty much just another mining game. There's so many of them at this point it's difficult to stand out but SteamWorld's variety and polish makes it just barely stick it's head out above the crowd.

    The story is just as bland as other mining games, but the mining combined with the action and combat makes SteamWorld pretty enjoyable. The game almost turns into pure combat once you get to the endgame areas, and the playtime is pretty decent (~5 hours), especially for the type of game SteamWorld is. The idea and premise behind this game is definitely more solid than other games of the same subgenre, but SteamWorld really never throws the player for a loop or surprise, it's a very safe and comfy mining game, that doesn't risk much and it pays for it in blandness.

    When it's all said and done, SteamWorld Dig comes out above most other mining games because of it's variety in tools, which also double as weapons, and it's items as well as it's creative locations and caves to explore. It has some interesting mechanics as well, such as not being able to mine while in the air, which makes it both more realistic and more difficult. But despite the handful of cons SteamWorld possess's, if you were to ask my suggestion on a mining game and you've already played Terraria, Spelunky and Minecraft, I would recommend SteamWorld Dig, while warning you to keep your expectations low. Also, the final boss is absolutely way too easy.    … Expand
  5. GolovA
    Jun 19, 2018
    7
    Pretty fun and light, and doesn't overstay its welcome, for that matter!
    . .
  6. clay3232
    Sep 30, 2017
    7
    I took advantage of the offer to play this for free on Origin, after seeing sequel receiving praise upon its release. The game was pretty fun, but it did get pretty repetitive as went on. Similar to games like Terraria or Motherload the game puts a lot of emphasis on digging below the Earth. There are few puzzles though thrown into the mix and some upgrades found underground which give itI took advantage of the offer to play this for free on Origin, after seeing sequel receiving praise upon its release. The game was pretty fun, but it did get pretty repetitive as went on. Similar to games like Terraria or Motherload the game puts a lot of emphasis on digging below the Earth. There are few puzzles though thrown into the mix and some upgrades found underground which give it a bit of a Metroid vibe. However there really Isn't to many puzzles or upgrades. I was pretty surprised when I realized I had just initiated the final boss fight. The game is really pretty short, so I'm glad i didn't spend any money on it. While it was enjoyable at times, it was never anything to great that hadn't been done better in separate games. I'm not sure if I'll purchase the sequel but it did kill me some time and I always enjoy receiving upgrades that make navigating a games world a breeze as you progress. That being said it felt kinda of like a flash game like Motherload that I played as child on Miniclip.com. The games was only about four hours for me without receiving every upgrade, and I really didn't feel the need to go back and unlock the rest. Looking at the presentation, the graphics were great for the style it was going for, and the characters and the dialogue were entertaining and well done. The sound was pretty good, nothing to complain about. If you want a taste of what kind of game it is play Motherload, its essentially that style of game with some ideas from Metroid thrown in there. I give it a 7 out of 10, its really just a solid good game made by an indie.… Expand
  7. TheAdminJJ
    Jun 26, 2018
    6
    The atmosphere of loneliness that invades you in almost the entire game is what makes it shine, in addition to the impressive mechanics carried out in an excellent way.
  8. ZackH25
    Mar 31, 2023
    7
    A good game with a very smart world of where you essentially find it yourself by digging. The actual gameplay and combat is rather basic but still fun. Looking for materials to upgrade your pickaxe so you can dig further down was quite a fun mechanic. There is not much story but it does not really need one. Quite a few well designed enemies such as the Trilobite but there are not too manyA good game with a very smart world of where you essentially find it yourself by digging. The actual gameplay and combat is rather basic but still fun. Looking for materials to upgrade your pickaxe so you can dig further down was quite a fun mechanic. There is not much story but it does not really need one. Quite a few well designed enemies such as the Trilobite but there are not too many enemies in general or many NPC's. Overall a good but rather basic game.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best PC Game of 2013
76
#76 Most Shared PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Brash Games
    Aug 30, 2015
    80
    SteamWorld Dig is a polished and (mostly) a well designed experience that I recommend. With some major flaws in the narrative that is predictable and never reaches it’s full potential. But held up by great addicting game play and flawless presentation with a style not seen in many games. In short…I dig it.
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  2. Pelit (Finland)
    May 11, 2014
    84
    With a bit more length and better combat, SteamWorld Dig could've been fighting with the big boys of indie platforming for the top spot. Still, it's a fun, addictive and original platformer, and I really wish it gets a sequel. [Feb 2014]
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Apr 7, 2014
    60
    Terraria-like experience suited for the lone wolves in the gaming crowd. More suited for being enjoyed on the go. [Issue #240]
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