A Game About Digging A Hole

About

"A Game About Digging A Hole" is a relaxing, exploration-based game where you dig deeper into the earth, sell discoveries for upgrades, and uncover secrets. Created by indie developer Ben in his spare time, it offers a unique underground adventure at an affordable price, comparable to the cost of a cup of coffee. With no rules or time constraints, players can enjoy discovering the truth below at their own pace.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,743 reviews

gameplay145 positive mentions

replayability22 negative mentions

The game is instantly addictive and fun, providing a satisfying digging experience.
Great for casual play, allowing players to zone out while digging and upgrading tools.
The game offers a humorous twist at the end, adding an unexpected layer to the experience.

The game is very short, with most players completing it in under 2 hours, leading to a lack of replayability.
Achievements are only unlockable after completing the game once, which can be frustrating for players.
The ending feels abrupt and disappointing, shifting the gameplay to a stealth mechanic that detracts from the core digging experience.

gameplay
468 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The gameplay of this title is characterized by a simple and repetitive loop centered around digging, collecting resources, and upgrading tools, which many players find satisfying and addictive for a short duration. However, the game is criticized for its brevity, with most players completing it in under two hours, and for a lack of depth and variety in mechanics, particularly towards the end where a sudden genre shift detracts from the overall experience. While it offers a charming, casual gameplay experience reminiscent of classic flash games, many reviewers express a desire for more content and complexity to enhance replayability.
- “The digging mechanics are satisfying for those out there looking for a game you can really sink your shovel into.”
- “It's a nice experience and a nice break from all the other games with a million different microtransactions, flashy graphics, and endless gameplay.”
- “The gameplay loop is oddly satisfying, like a digital fidget spinner that actually gives you progress.”
- “The gameplay is excessively repetitive, requiring you to dig endlessly with no meaningful progression or challenge to speak of.”
- “The endgame completely departs from the core gameplay and is annoying.”
- “The gameplay loop is pretty boring; even when you get all the unlocks, it just feels really bad.”
story
255 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
66%
7%
The game's story is generally perceived as minimal and simplistic, often described as lacking depth or engagement, yet some players appreciate its humor and unexpected plot twists. While many reviews note that the narrative does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience, a few highlight it as a fun addition that complements the overall casual nature of the game. Overall, players express a desire for more substantial story elements and content to enrich the experience.
- “Incredible storyline and I loved every minute of it.”
- “Very fun game play and has a fun surprising story to go along.”
- “The ending delivers a solid plot twist, which adds a nice touch to the journey.”
- “There’s no story to engage with, no intriguing mechanics to explore, and no real sense of reward for your efforts.”
- “The plot twist feels forced, and doesn’t make much sense at all.”
- “The ending is the worst and is completely removed from the rest of the gameplay and there is really no story.”
graphics
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
66%
5%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the charming, minimalist art style that complements the gameplay, while others criticize the uninspired visuals and lack of customization options. Many note minor graphical glitches and a simplistic aesthetic reminiscent of voxel-based designs, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are seen as adequate for the game's concept, providing a relaxing atmosphere despite some technical shortcomings.
- “The visuals are charming and minimalistic, perfectly matching the relaxed yet engaging atmosphere.”
- “The art style is charmingly minimalist, with a nostalgic pixelated design that invites you to focus on your digging delights.”
- “The graphics are great, the progression is fun, and the grinding actually makes you feel like you're doing something!”
- “The graphics are uninspired, and the sound design leaves much to be desired, resulting in a monotonous experience overall.”
- “This game has no graphics menu or option to change the resolution.”
- “Controls and graphics are set as if the devs have no clue how to implement them.”
replayability
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
59%
25%
Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with many players noting that once completed, there is little incentive to return. While some mention minor replay value through achievements or challenges, the consensus is that the short gameplay length and limited content significantly diminish the overall replay experience. Many players express hope for future updates to enhance replayability and content depth.
- “It's respectfully short and has a few secrets to uncover; the achievements are straightforward if you're into that and also provide a bit of replayability.”
- “Easy 100%, surprising replayability.”
- “A small but very fun experience with some replayability; I'd say it's pretty well worth the price.”
- “At half the price it would be somewhat ok, but for 5 bucks I expect more than barely two hours of gameplay with zero replayability.”
- “Really, just too little content/replayability for it to be worth the asking price.”
- “The kicker: once you beat the game there is 0 replayability.”
humor
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with many players finding it funny and enjoyable, particularly praising the unexpected and amusing endings. While some reviews note that the humor can be simplistic or predictable, the overall consensus is that the game successfully delivers a lighthearted and entertaining experience, making it a fun choice for those looking for a cozy, comedic gaming session. However, a few players felt the humor lacked depth or cleverness, suggesting that while the game is amusing, it may not appeal to everyone.
- “A humorous and cozy game, well worth it, go try it!”
- “The game balances humor and existential depth flawlessly.”
- “Honestly: it delivered what it promised, and the ending was unexpected but legitimately hilarious.”
- “You're not funny!”
- “It's pretty predictable and unfunny.”
grinding
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
15%
81%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the initial stages tedious and monotonous, particularly when using basic tools. While some appreciate the therapeutic nature of grinding and the satisfaction of gradual progression, others feel that the lack of meaningful rewards and the repetitive tasks detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for those who embrace grinding, but it may not appeal to everyone due to its slow start and limited replay value.
- “The battery mechanics help to keep the progression at a good pace, being long but not too tedious.”
- “Neat little grindy game; I would love it if it got an update or expansion to add more upgrade tools and ores. Highly recommend you get this game!”
- “The game is fun to waste a couple of hours; progression isn't too tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Most of the gameplay is digging a tedious hole and nothing much else besides spending ore money on upgrades to make digging a hole easier.”
- “The grind off the start is beyond tedious.”
music
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
74%
4%
The music aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting the absence of an in-game soundtrack, which they feel detracts from the overall experience. While some found the ambient sounds repetitive and unmemorable, others enjoyed pairing the gameplay with their own music or podcasts, suggesting that the game is best played in a relaxed setting. Overall, players agree that the addition of music could enhance the atmosphere, but the game remains enjoyable as a casual experience with personal audio accompaniment.
- “The music and sound design beautifully complement the visuals, transitioning from soothing and serene to a gently intense vibe as you uncover more layers.”
- “If you're looking for a game where you can shut your brain off and listen to some music, then this is a top contender.”
- “Was enjoyable, just chill with some music and dig away.”
- “For the price, the game is fine, but it definitely has that 'first Unity game project jank' to it with stiff animations on the few things that do move (the van, moles, and shovel), lack of music, and generally just a bit off feeling movement.”
- “With repetitive simple sounds and a soundtrack so unmemorable I had to start up the game to check if it even had one, I am critical of that too.”
- “There's no music to speak of, and the sound effects are repetitive and annoying, but can be turned off.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a wide range of emotional experiences while playing the game, from moments of joy and satisfaction to feelings of sadness and disorientation. Many express that the game evokes strong reactions, including tears during poignant moments and a sense of fulfillment despite its simplicity. However, some also mention physical discomfort, such as nausea, which detracts from the overall emotional engagement.
- “The first time I met that mole, I cried a little.”
- “What started out as digging a hole became something deeply wholesome.”
- “The emotional journey this game takes you on is profound.”
atmosphere
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
23%
18%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by charming, minimalistic visuals and effective use of light and shadow, creating a claustrophobic yet engaging experience as players dig deeper. While the overall ambiance is immersive and satisfying, some players found the abrupt shift in atmosphere towards the end jarring and felt that enhanced sound design could have further enriched the experience. Despite some criticisms regarding content and pacing, the atmosphere remains a highlight, contributing to a unique and enjoyable exploration.
- “The visuals are charming and minimalistic, perfectly matching the relaxed yet engaging atmosphere.”
- “The game uses the shadows and lights well, creating a cool and awesome atmosphere while you are digging.”
- “Atmosphere and design: the art style is minimalist yet effective, and the sound design complements the experience perfectly.”
- “There are no jump scares, nothing is going to pop out at you, it's just the overall atmosphere of being underground and disoriented.”
- “It lacks content and some refining, the first few minutes are fun but it gets boring fast because of the lack of atmosphere.”
- “Maybe throw some skeletons in the dirt somewhere just for atmosphere.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
11%
71%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting smooth performance and minimal glitches, while others encounter various bugs and visual hitches. While many appreciate the game's functionality and smooth graphics, there are notable issues, particularly with specific mechanics like fall damage and dynamite behavior. Despite these inconsistencies, the game is generally considered playable and enjoyable, especially at its price point.
- “The game is fine, runs great on the Steam Deck, but it probably won't win any awards, and that's okay.”
- “Does what it wants to do very competently; surprisingly had no glitches at all, which is very surprising given the open nature of the game.”
- “Gets a little bit tedious in the last half an hour, but I like the minimalist approach and gameplay; the game delivers what it promises, no bugs, no freezes, so for this price, I recommend it if you really don't expect anything more than digging a hole for more or less than 3 hours.”
- “Devs fixing glitches and not mentioning it in patch notes... why do you think there is something called patch notes????”
- “Overall it needs some expanding on gameplay, I've come across a few minor bugs and glitches, and it's very limited in gameplay right now.”
- “Maybe if the game was $2 it'd be worth it, but it's buggy, like crazy and annoyingly so.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While some players report smooth performance and good optimization, others experience significant lag, stuttering, and visual glitches, particularly on lower-end PCs. There is a call for more optimization settings to enhance performance for a wider range of hardware.
- “The game seemed really well made and optimized.”
- “This is what peak performance looks and feels like.”
- “It can be kinda glitchy visually sometimes but runs smoothly.”
- “I'd like to see optimization settings; I have a lower-end PC and only ran an average of 30 FPS.”
- “My only gripe is some performance issues.”
- “Could not get past the menu due to insane amounts of lag and stuttering.”
monetization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the absence of intrusive microtransactions and daily grind typical of many modern games. However, others criticize it for feeling like a cash grab, with limited content and a lack of depth, leading to disappointment despite initial interest. Overall, while the game avoids aggressive monetization tactics, its execution and content quality have left many players unsatisfied.
- “It's a nice experience and a nice break from all the other games with a million different microtransactions, flashy graphics, and endless gameplay.”
- “Nice to play a game that doesn't have you grinding daily quests and dangling microtransactions in your face constantly.”
- “Overall rushed game that spent more money on advertising than on simple mechanics. This game was worse than an average Roblox game with just barely over 2 hours of content, so most can’t refund. I’d give this game 3/10 stars. I’d suggest making the game bigger or scratching the whole endgame storyline. It was stiff, boring, and overall a huge letdown. This is supposed to be a game about digging a hole, not some trippy mole movie.”
- “Instead it just felt like a mobile game that you pay for all the ads up front for the bare minimum of content.”
- “Game has a lot of potential, but I truly hope that the dev doesn't just abandon this as a quick cash grab.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development is generally regarded as solid, though some users feel it could be enhanced with the inclusion of a love story.
- “Character development was solid but lacking a love story.”
- “The characters felt one-dimensional and their growth was minimal throughout the game.”
- “I expected more depth in the character arcs; they didn't evolve in a meaningful way.”

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4h Median play time

6h Average play time

2-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 106 analyzed playthroughs

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