SteamWorld Dig: A Fistful of Dirt

 Switch
SteamWorld Dig: A Fistful of Dirt Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 97 Ratings

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  • Summary: The clock has stopped around the turn of the 19th century, and humankind has prematurely blown itself to bits. The remaining scraps are huddling in caves beneath the surface, and steam-powered robots have taken over the Wild West.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Gaming Nexus
    Feb 28, 2018
    80
    Steamworld Dig is a fun game, but it’s pretty short and can get repetitive after a while. My first playthrough clocked in at just under four hours and most of the game is mining, going back to town to cash out and upgrade, and repeat. That said though, Steamworld Dig is still a good game, and ten dollars is a decent price for it, but just take note that more expert level gamers might be disappointed in how short the game can be.
  2. GameSpew
    Feb 8, 2018
    80
    Charming and engaging in equal measure, SteamWorld Dig offers a quirky, addictive subterranean adventure that is well worth digging into.
  3. Nintendo Life
    Feb 1, 2018
    80
    SteamWorld Dig can proudly sit amongst those top-tier eShop titles that can describe themselves as a ‘must-play’. There is a small desert’s worth of charm packed into this game, with a beautifully high level of polish and sheen just oozing from its very core. We’d love to have more reasons to play the game after its relatively short campaign and, considering this game is a short few years old now, having a UK launch price higher than when it released on previous Nintendo systems seems slightly off, but the gameplay alone will show you that this one is a real winner. If you’re looking to delve into the SteamWorld universe for the first time, this would be a great place to start.
  4. God is a Geek
    Feb 9, 2018
    80
    The Switch port is fantastic but I feel like they could’ve done slightly more. The big omission for me is the lack of HD rumble.
  5. Worth Playing
    Jul 13, 2018
    73
    As a sum of its parts, Steamworld Dig: A Fistful of Dirt still holds up reasonably well. If you haven't jumped in yet, start your journey here before tackling the sequel. The gameplay may feel limited if you've already completed the sequel, but A Fistful of Dirt is still an incredibly fun platformer.
  6. Video Chums
    Feb 4, 2018
    72
    There certainly isn't much variety in SteamWorld Dig. Whereas the sequel is full of awesome things to see and do, this debut title feels flat in comparison. All you do is mine and dig over and over again. There are puzzle rooms that reward you with bonuses once you figure them out and secret areas to uncover but there's not nearly enough to make up for the simple core gameplay.
  7. NintendoWorldReport
    Feb 1, 2018
    70
    My main problem with SteamWorld Dig is that, apart from the puzzle rooms, there’s not a lot of meat on these bones. Second, I recently played (and perhaps you did too) SteamWorld Dig 2, a game that blows its predecessor out of the water in every possible respect. However, it’s interesting to go back to the original after playing its sequel, because you can see how the core gameplay evolved. I like SteamWorld Dig; I just like SteamWorld Dig 2 more and that fact, maybe unfairly, winds up hurting the former. It’s definitely worth playing, though, on whatever system you have that it runs on.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. abrus
    Apr 9, 2023
    10
    I love this game so much! I finished it 3 times on my 3DS, then got it again on Switch for less than $4. Everything here is so polished andI love this game so much! I finished it 3 times on my 3DS, then got it again on Switch for less than $4. Everything here is so polished and well-executed, and there is a great atmosphere as you explore the caves below. The rate of progression feels just right, and the new upgrades you acquire are all so useful / necessary to completing deeper levels of the mine. Highly recommended! (Heist is still my favorite though!) Note: If you are finishing this game in 4 or 5 hours you are rushing through it! 7 to 8 hours is a more realistic play through.… Expand
  2. chosen0ne
    Sep 22, 2021
    10
    The style, the mining, the platforming, the exploration, it's all just SO GOOD!!! Brilliant indie game. Everyone should play this and itsThe style, the mining, the platforming, the exploration, it's all just SO GOOD!!! Brilliant indie game. Everyone should play this and its even better sequel.… Expand
  4. quwip10
    May 24, 2018
    9
    This indie game is extremely fun. It has tight controls and a very simple, but rewarding concept: you dig and find treasures! There areThis indie game is extremely fun. It has tight controls and a very simple, but rewarding concept: you dig and find treasures! There are constant bigger and better upgrades to be purchased. The saves are frequent and death is punished by an expensive loss of valuable $$. A game like this is perfect for the Switch as it is very easy to pick up, play for a bit, then put it down. The story is pretty straightforward, but kept me interested. I will pick up the sequel next!… Expand
  5. Gerdo
    Jun 30, 2020
    8
    Nice little gem overall. Really enjoyed the time I invested. Charming characters.
  6. nusco
    Oct 26, 2018
    7
    A short but thoroughly enjoyable underground exploration that keeps you in the loop until you're done.
  7. PS1Snake
    Nov 12, 2021
    7
    This game was fun. It's worth the small amount the game actually costs. It isn't super difficult, I really only died a lot when there were aThis game was fun. It's worth the small amount the game actually costs. It isn't super difficult, I really only died a lot when there were a lot of enemies surrounding my loot, but it stays for a while so it isn't a big deal if you leave the your ores until you're prepared. I don't know why but I decided to replay this game 2 weeks ago instead of playing one of the 3000 games on my backlog but I did and I enjoyed it even more. The characters aren't memorable at all, and it isn't super revolutionary, but the main gameplay loop is entertaining enough to the end. Also I give it bonus points for getting me to play Hollow Knight.… Expand
  8. ALTYN
    Jun 15, 2021
    5
    The game is ok if you want to spend about 5 hours, but there are tons of better games to be honest. Spelunky or Terraria are better games inThe game is ok if you want to spend about 5 hours, but there are tons of better games to be honest. Spelunky or Terraria are better games in similar jenres… Expand

See all 28 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018