LikeThisGame
SteamWorld Dig
Games Like

SteamWorld Dig

201381/100
PlatformPuzzleAdventureIndie

Post-Apocalyptic

+2
A mining platformer with a real sense of purpose, it's defined by its satisfying loop of digging, resource gathering, and upgrades. SteamWorld Dig cleverly restricts your progress with a gradually depleting water supply, forcing you to return to the surface to sell your loot and replenish. This constant push and pull between exploration and management, combined with its charming aesthetic, makes for a compulsively playable experience that's easy to get lost in.

About SteamWorld Dig

Details
SteamWorld Dig is 2D a platform game that revolves around mining for resources and ores. The objective of the game is to investigate the mines underneath the old Western town Tumbleton in order to unearth the secrets lurking below. The player controls Rusty who is equipped with a pickaxe but the player is given options to upgrade the tools used for digging as progression is made in the game. Besides health, the player also needs coal for light, and water for special abilities. SteamWorld Dig has platform elements in that the player runs, jumps and encounter foes, but the main objective is mining. That means that the player builds – or rather deconstructs – the game world and creates platforms that way. The player collects resources and other hidden resources which can be brought back to the surface and exchanged for cash. When the player progress in the game new abilities are unlocked. Each playthrough, the mines are randomized, making items and treasure appear in different locations. If the player gets stuck there is a self destruct function, but the players can also buy ladders in the store at the surface to get out of tricky situations. When progressing deeper down in the cave, the player encounters various enemies with different attack patterns and weak spots. The game features multiple worlds, each with a completely different environment. Dying results in a reparation penalty fee, and the player respawns back on the surface. All the loot that has been accumulated when the player dies can be picked up again.

Also on the game page: screenshots, prices, playtime and more →

Top 4 Alternatives to SteamWorld Dig

1
Rating
Critic & community
88
Match
Recommendation strength
85%

Ori and the Blind Forest

2015 · Platform

Like SteamWorld Dig, this game offers a beautiful side-scrolling world to explore, but replaces mining for resources with a focus on fluid platforming and environmental puzzles, all while weaving a deeply emotional narrative.

Why recommended

  • Features a richly detailed 2D world with Metroidvania-style exploration, where new abilities unlock previously inaccessible areas, similar to how upgrades in SteamWorld Dig expand your traversal options.
  • Criteria — Strong Story is central, told through environmental storytelling, cutscenes, and a poignant narrator, following Ori's journey to save the forest and its inhabitants.
  • Criteria — Challenging Difficulty is present in its demanding platforming sequences and boss encounters, requiring precision and mastery of Ori's diverse movement and combat abilities.
View Details
Watch TrailerMore Like This
2
Rating
Critic & community
90
Match
Recommendation strength
82%

Delve into a vast, interconnected underground kingdom, battling formidable foes and uncovering ancient secrets. It shares SteamWorld Dig's sense of discovery and progression, but with a greater emphasis on challenging combat and cryptic lore.

Why recommended

  • Offers expansive 2D side-scrolling exploration of a decaying world, with hidden paths, secret areas, and a constant sense of discovery as you uncover its mysteries.
  • Criteria — Challenging Difficulty is a core aspect, with demanding boss fights and environmental hazards that test player skill and persistence, rewarding careful planning and precise execution.
  • Criteria — Strong Story, though delivered cryptically through environmental details, character interactions, and item descriptions, reveals a deep and melancholic narrative about a fallen kingdom and its inhabitants.
View Details
Watch TrailerMore Like This
3
Rating
Critic & community
86
Match
Recommendation strength
78%

This game brings a vibrant, action-packed twist to the Metroidvania formula, combining satisfying combat and unique dimension-swapping mechanics with a strong narrative, much like SteamWorld Dig blends mining with platforming.

Why recommended

  • Features a colorful 2D world with extensive exploration, where new abilities are gained to overcome obstacles and unlock new areas, reminiscent of SteamWorld Dig's progression system.
  • Criteria — Strong Story drives the adventure, following Juan Aguacate's quest to rescue El Presidente's daughter from the evil Carlos Calaca, filled with memorable characters and humorous dialogue.
  • Criteria — Challenging Difficulty is present in its intricate platforming sections and combat encounters, which require precise timing and strategic use of a growing moveset.
View Details
Watch TrailerMore Like This
4
Rating
Critic & community
89
Match
Recommendation strength
70%

A pioneering indie title that delivers a compelling narrative, challenging gameplay, and a vast world to explore, echoing the sense of adventure and discovery found in SteamWorld Dig but with a unique retro charm.

Why recommended

  • Offers a sprawling 2D world filled with secrets, diverse environments, and a sense of progression as new weapons and items are acquired, opening up new areas for exploration.
  • Criteria — Strong Story is a highlight, featuring a mysterious amnesiac protagonist, a race of rabbit-like creatures, and a compelling plot involving a mad doctor and a floating island.
  • Criteria — Challenging Difficulty is inherent in its demanding boss battles, tricky platforming, and the need to manage various weapon upgrades and health, providing a rewarding experience for persistent players.
View Details
Watch TrailerMore Like This

Explore SteamWorld Dig in detail

Screenshots, prices, playtime, streams and more

View Page →

Want something more specific?

Select criteria to get personalized recommendations

Select at least 1

Explore More Games

Portal 2

Games Like Portal 2

Portal

Games Like Portal

Tomb Raider

Games Like Tomb Raider

Hollow Knight

Games Like Hollow Knight

Undertale

Games Like Undertale

Life is Strange

Games Like Life is Strange

BioShock

Games Like BioShock

Assassin's Creed II

Games Like Assassin's Creed II