Aground Zero

About

"Aground Zero" is a 3D survival game set during the same events as "Aground." After waking up from sleep, you find out that the world has ended, and it's your job to survive by mining ores, building an underground base, and gathering other survivors. As you progress, you'll need to expand and automate your base, get help from familiar faces, and be prepared to encounter creatures that are not native to Earth. Knowledge of the original game is not required to play.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 118 reviews

gameplay10 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game has a strong foundation with fun gameplay mechanics, combining elements of crafting, building, and survival, reminiscent of popular titles like Aground, Subnautica, and Factorio.
The developers are highly active, providing frequent updates and maintaining good communication with the community, which instills confidence in the game's future development.
The game runs smoothly with minimal bugs, and the graphics, while simple, effectively support the engaging gameplay experience.

Currently, the game has limited content, with many players completing the available content in just a few hours, leading to concerns about its value at the current price point.
Some players have reported frustrations with gameplay mechanics, such as issues with item management and NPC interactions, which can detract from the overall experience.
The multiplayer option is limited to split-screen remote play, which may not meet the expectations of players looking for a more traditional multiplayer experience.

gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
27%
17%
The gameplay is praised for its smooth mechanics, particularly the streamlined factory systems and fluid building controls, which enhance the overall experience. Players enjoy the engaging core loop of mining, crafting, and exploration, likening it to popular titles like Minecraft and Factorio. While the game is not a direct sequel, it retains familiar elements that fans appreciate, and the developer's dedication promises further improvements.
- “Gameplay is very smooth (60fps), dialogue is short and sweet, building controls are 8.5/10 (building controls are never perfect in these types of games because they are difficult to implement easily across all tasks) - and, in general, everything you do in the game is very fluid, it's a joy to play.”
- “Add to that the fantastic dedication of the developer, the clear vision he has for the game and just the fun addictive gameplay and you have what I would personally call my game of the year.”
- “Hoping it shapes up to carry on the legacy from the original because the gameplay at the moment is rock solid.”
- “Aground has a solid Minecraft-esque gameplay loop; mine, refine, build, explore, rescue, repeat.”
- “Its not a direct sequel to the first game, but the grinding and crafting mechanics are similar enough to feel connected, and little easter eggs and nods to it if that's your cup of tea.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
The game's story, while building on the foundation of "aground," offers a basic narrative that some players find underwhelming and not particularly engaging. Although it includes elements of exploration and building, the storytelling is primarily delivered through simple text boxes from an AI helper, leaving much to be desired in terms of depth and innovation. Players are advised to be cautious with quest progression, as certain actions can lead to bugs and unavailable quests.
- “A little exploration with mining, building, and a story to boot: a definite two thumbs up from me and thoroughly recommended!”
- “The factory building aspect is a little simple, but I must admit that I handicapped myself by spending the majority of the early stages mining tunnels when you unlock robots and helpers that will do it for you fairly early on if you follow the story prompts.”
- “Sure, although it piggybacks off of Aground's story and paths, it is its own game.”
- “Do not save all the survivors before you meet the scavenger or your game will bug and some quests will become unavailable.”
- “It does have half decent graphics and a storyline to follow.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The graphics of the game are generally described as simple or half decent, with some reviewers noting that they may not be the main draw. However, many appreciate the art style and feel, highlighting that the smooth gameplay and lack of bugs enhance the overall experience. Ultimately, while the graphics may not be top-tier, they effectively support the engaging gameplay.
- “I love the graphics and feel of the game.”
- “The art style and graphics are as shown, and the gameplay is generally smooth, with no bugs or anything to make the experience worse.”
- “It’s so fun; the simple graphics belie the powerful gameplay.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding and crafting mechanics in this game evoke a sense of connection to its predecessor, with players likely to either enjoy or be frustrated by the changes made. While the game offers nostalgic elements reminiscent of titles like Terraria, the effectiveness of its tutorial and the presence of meaningful choices are crucial in determining whether players will pursue 100% completion or lose interest after the initial grind. Overall, opinions on the grinding aspect are polarized, reflecting a divide between those who appreciate the depth and those who find it tedious.
- “If you played the original Aground, you'd naturally get some Terraria vibes and you'd either love or hate how the additional grinding and systems changed how the game itself played.”
- “Having a good tutorial in that game along with different big choices would help ensure that you'd want to 100 percent or quit after all the beginning crafting and grinding progression wore off.”
- “Similar to this game's predecessor, I think most players will either love or hate this game as you'll figure out after the beginning crafting and grinding progression if you want to 100 percent the game or quit.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's optimization has been criticized for its rough visuals and lack of polish, resulting in a gameplay experience that feels unrefined and simplistic. Players have noted that the manufacturing aspects are not well-optimized, contributing to an overall impression of a hastily developed product.
- “Beat the current content in 8 hours, which is a very rugged, dirty-looking, brainless playthrough. Nothing looks pretty, and manufacturing isn't the most optimized.”