Minecraft brought mining-based adventure into the spotlight, and it has remained one of the most popular games around. Minecraft‘s 15th anniversary seems like just yesterday, and it’s hard to believe that the sandbox survival game has been thriving for so long. Minecraft paved the way for a lot of great mining games to get recognized, and SteamWorld Dig is just one of many. The two have different approaches to mining gameplay, but they have both inspired other indie titles, particularly on Steam.
Over the years, Steam has become the go-to platform for a lot of great indie games to make their debut. One upcoming Steam game in particular is bound to catch the attention of SteamWorld Dig and Minecraft fans. Drill and Delve takes SteamWorld Dig‘s underground mining and Minecraft‘s first-person survival and brings them together into one experience.
A Quick Dive Into the Confirmed Features in Drill and Delve
- Open world
- 3D voxels
- Fully destructible environments
- Survival elements
- Resource management
- Hidden tools to discover
- A larger mystery that must be solved
Like Minecraft and SteamWorld Dig, Exploration is the Heart of Drill and Delve
Minecraft took exploring an open world to new levels when it first launched. Being able to destroy and build on everything was a game-changer. SteamWorld Dig may not be an open world in the traditional sense, but its 2D platformer approach served as the basis for its own satisfying in-game exploration. When it comes down to it, both Minecraft and SteamWorld Dig put a bright spotlight on exploration. The player freedom that these games embrace is what makes them so special, and Drill and Delve is taking this to heart. Games like Minecraft have tried to recapture that magic, but that is a lot easier said than done. However, Drill and Delve‘s clear appreciation for a fully explorable world is a promising sign.
Balance the critic averages
Balance the critic averages
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The Only Way Out is Through
In Drill and Delve, there is a larger mystery at play. Digging and exploring in SteamWorld Dig allowed players to uncover hidden secrets about Tumbleton, and Drill and Delver has its own secrets waiting in the dark, unforgiving underground. The main character, Miner 13, works for a huge mining corporation that is being teased to be part of a larger conspiracy. Some of the best games in the industry have been centered around calling out corporate greed and twisted company morals. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil, Bioshock, The Outer Worlds, and Fallout are just a few of the most notable. Being able to explore the underground as one pleases sounds fun enough, but a deeper mystery tied to this exploration adds an extra layer that further incentivizes discovery.
“You’re a miner in the far future who works for a mega-mining corporation. Today was supposed to be just another day at work, but when things go wrong deep underground, you find yourself trapped in a vast crumbling mine. In order to survive and unravel the mystery of what happened, you’ll have to dig your way out.
A Fully Destructible Environment Makes For a Lifelike Mining Survival Game
This is one of the key features that is bound to grab the attention of Minecraft and SteamWorld Dig lovers. Being able to just hack and cut at the environment and pave a new way is simply a lot of fun. Now, fans of both will be able to experience SteamWorld Dig‘s underground atmosphere through Minecraft‘s first-person point of view. It brings the world that much closer to players and is bound to make the game feel even more immersive. Drill and Delve may not have Minecraft‘s building mechanics, but it boasts an immersive setting that can make survival and fighting the impending claustrophobia an even bigger challenge.
When it comes to the mine itself, Drill and Delve definitely feels more like SteamWorld Dig than Minecraft. Both are cartoonish, but SteamWorld Dig‘s mines are more eye-catching when it comes to the overall vibe and color palette. Even though Drill and Delve is built using 3D voxels, Minecraft‘s blocky aesthetic won’t be part of this game. There is a lot more detail in Drill and Delve‘s world that SteamWorld Dig players will likely resonate with.
Exploration Leads to More Than Just a Way Out
In order to push players further into the mines, Drill and Delve features plenty of hidden tools that will be found along the way. With each stronger tool a player finds, the quicker they can uncover the larger mystery at play and scrape through the rubble until an exit is made. Surviving in Minecraft and SteamWorld Dig can be tricky if resources aren’t managed properly, and Drill and Delve looks like it will be honoring this type of gameplay. While the game looks like a lot of fun, it also promises a solid challenge. Between finding stronger tools and making sure one’s inventory is kept in check, trying to survive underground in first-person could even be sweat-inducing.
The Wait For Drill and Delve Won’t Be Much Longer
Gamers who are interested in checking out Drill and Delve on Steam only have to wait a few days to see what the game is all about. According to the Steam page, the indie title is set to be released on March 13. Before its launch, though, curious gamers can even try out a demo that gives a sneak peek at the gameplay and story.
There aren’t any known plans for Drill and Delve to come to consoles down the road, but it has been confirmed to support Xbox controllers when playing on Steam.
This year is now well underway, and there are plenty of big games coming out in March. Between Marathon‘s launch, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, and Crimson Desert, there are some heavy hitters on the way. However, Drill and Delve looks like an exciting indie option that is worth looking into. Mining games aren’t for everyone, but this take on staple gameplay mechanics looks like a solid blend of realism and mystery. Whether someone is a fan of Minecraft, SteamWorld Dig, or even both, Drill and Delve has the potential to be a sandbox survival mining game that is a worthy successor to these two beloved games.
