Hey, Listen! Welcome to my first ever game review.
I’ve been threatening to start doing this for years, and here we are. The plan is simple: I talk about the games I’m into, the stuff I’m currently playing, and eventually start dabbling in handheld gaming coverage. And by handheld, I mean everything from the Game Boy I’ve had since the ‘90s to those chunky “desktop replacement” monsters that just happen to have thumbsticks attached. If it plays games, it’s fair game.
So, to kick things off, we’re going small… like really small. SteamWorld Dig is so tiny you could probably fit it on a floppy disk (don’t actually try this).
Plot
You’re Rusty. You’re a steam-powered robot with a snazzy cowboy hat, and you’ve just inherited a mine from your late Uncle Joe. No gold watch, no mysterious mansion, just… a hole in the ground. And because this is a video game, the first thing you do is grab a pickaxe and jump in headfirst.
The setup sounds like half the indie titles on Steam, but here’s the thing—it works. The mine isn’t just dirt and rocks. It’s hiding treasures, weird enemies, and a growing mystery about what’s lurking beneath Tumbleton. The deeper you dig, the stranger it gets. Kind of like that one uncle’s Facebook feed.
Gameplay & Controls
On PC, the controls are tight right out of the gate. Keyboard and mouse? Works fine. Controller? Even better. Rusty moves exactly how you want him to—responsive jumps, satisfying swings of the pickaxe, and a lantern system that forces you to think about how far down you want to go before heading back up.
The game loop is simple but dangerous for your free time: dig for stuff, bring it up, sell it, buy upgrades, repeat. It’s just enough grind to make you feel productive without turning into a second job. I started a “quick” play session after dinner one night and looked up to see it was 2:47 a.m. That’s not even the game’s fault—it’s mine.
Platforms & Time to Beat
SteamWorld Dig launched on PC back in 2013, and it’s since been ported to pretty much everything short of your car’s infotainment system—PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox One, Switch… you get the idea.
The best part about the PC version? It’s tiny. Like, 193 MB tiny. And it’ll run on practically anything. Minimum requirements are so low you could probably fire it up on your grandma’s old Dell without breaking a sweat. Perfect for when you just want to install something and play without making your machine cry.
Playtime-wise, you’re looking at about 5 hours for the story, maybe 7–8 if you’re going for 100%. That’s weekend material. Not “months of your life” material.
Style Comparisons
Visually, it’s gorgeous in that handcrafted sprite way. Early on, the palette is heavy on browns—hey, it’s a mine—but as you progress, the game throws in splashes of color and variety. It’s like starting in a sepia-toned Western and ending up in a Jules Verne fever dream.
If I had to compare it? It’s Metroidvania exploration meets the “one more block” compulsion of Minecraft, with a sprinkle of Terraria’s upgrade system. Throw in some Spelunky vibes for the vertical descent and you’ve got the picture.
Conclusion & Final Word
SteamWorld Dig isn’t here to change your life—it’s here to make your weekend better. It’s fast to install, easy to run, and impossible to “just play for 10 minutes.” The pacing is spot-on, the upgrades feel earned, and Rusty is a surprisingly charming little guy for someone powered by steam.
It’s one of those games that sticks with you after you’ve finished it—not because it’s huge or complicated, but because it nails exactly what it’s trying to do. And honestly, that’s all I want sometimes.
Final verdict: Indie gold. Worth digging into.
Pricing & Where to Buy
At the time of writing, SteamWorld Dig usually sits around $9.99, with sales dropping it even lower. If you’re patient, you can snag it for a few bucks during seasonal sales.
Buy it here:
- Steam (for PC, Mac, Linux) – You can buy and download SteamWorld Dig directly on the Steam store. It’s listed at $9.99. Steam Store
- GOG.com – Available DRM-free, SteamWorld Dig is accessible for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It’s often priced around $9.99 and includes features like refund eligibility. GOG.com
- Instant-Gaming.com – Offers competitive pricing. For example, one listing showed SteamWorld Dig – PC & Mac (Steam) for about $1.17 (likely a heavily discounted or limited-time offer). Instant-Gaming.com
- Playstation.com - Currently $0.99 until 8/28/25.
