[Impressions] SteamWorld Dig

SteamWorld Dig is a “Metroidvania” of sorts, that is, a game where, as you progress, you unlock new powerups and abilities which allow you to access areas that were previously inaccessible.

In SteamWorld, you’re tasked with mining your way through the underground of a western mining town, called Tumbleton. At first, you only a have a simple pickaxe at your disposal to dig through the rocks in your way but, as you excavate, you find new minerals which you then bring back to the trader. This is the most important part of the gameplay loop for two reasons: (1) as you reach certain milestones of collected loot you level up and unlock new upgrades for your tools, and (2) because you can only acquire gold (the currency of the game) through this exchange.

However, it is not through the trader that you unlock new tools or abilities. As you make your way down, you’ll find special caves that contain plenty of loot, a puzzle (making each of these caves unique) and at the very end a machine. This machine is what grants you a brand new powerup or ability. Without spoiling too much, some of these improvements include the unlock of a drill tool and the ability to use dynamite.

But what made SteamWorld Dig such a fun game to play through? Well, first there’s the continuous loop of “collect minerals, trade them in for gold, upgrade your tools” which not only makes your life simpler in the tunnels because you can destroy the rocks quicker but also because it makes you feel rewarded for even the smallest progress you make underground. On the other hand, there’s the raw enjoyment of making your way down. Simply digging down to make your way to the next cave and unlock a new powerup is one of the core elements of the experience. Like I said, these caves all felt unique due to the distinct environmental puzzles you had to go through and finding the machine at the end to increase your options for movement or to unlock a brand-new tool granted you a sense of mastery and superiority as if now you were the “boss of the tunnels”.

Thankfully, the game was able to elevate itself throughout the 5-hour-ish adventure, both because of the change of sceneries you find as you dig deeper and even for the simple placement of the minerals and rocks. While towards the end you can traverse pretty much as you wish, for the majority of the game you need to actually think before breaking a rock otherwise you may be closing off your route back to town. This last part actually created some tense moments for me where I had foolishly destroyed a rock I shouldn’t have and so my only option was to keep digging down in hopes of finding a teleporter to take me back to town.

All in all, SteamWorld Dig, a game that released in 2013, is a terrific game that makes sure every minute you spend with it a joy. While it offers some tense and suspenseful moments in the beginning as you dig your first few meters into the unknown, as you progress you earn a sense of mastery and strength as you become stronger and more resourceful. Thankfully, a sequel has been released last year and I have every intention of playing it very soon!

#impressions #steamworlddig #nintendoswitch #2018