Deep Rock Galactic
- February 27, 2018
- Ghost Ship Games
- 76h median play time
Deep Rock Galactic is the best kind of four-player co-op game. Exciting combat, great missions, and lots of upgrades make this one a winner.
"Deep Rock Galactic is a co-op first-person shooter set in a dangerous, procedurally generated underground mining universe. Players assume the role of space dwarves, working for an industrial miner corporation, facing alien enemies and natural hazards. Missions involve resource extraction, objectives, and fighting off waves of enemies. The game features class-based teamwork, gun customization, and destructible environments."
Reviews
- story16,921 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Deep Rock Galactic" is minimal, primarily serving as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a central focus. Players take on the role of dwarven miners working for a corporate entity, embarking on various missions to extract resources from procedurally generated caves filled with alien creatures. While the game lacks a traditional narrative, it features humorous dialogue and environmental storytelling that contribute to its charm and immersive atmosphere.
“The variety of mission types and the procedurally generated cave systems ensure that no two expeditions are alike.”
“Each mission presents new challenges, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.”
“Whether you're delving into the depths solo or with a group of friends, the combination of teamwork, exploration, and intense action makes every mission a memorable adventure.”
“The game has a dynamic difficulty system that adjusts the number and strength of the enemies based on the number of players, the mission type, and the chosen hazard level.”
“The missions can be quite tense, with some extractions feeling like Mass Effect 3 multiplayer rounds.”
“The missions are repetitive, unfun gameplay loop, very little in diversity of characters, a game like this in my eyes would need an open world, ships that you can travel with, control, battle with, like Star Citizen, then you land, mine, fight bugs, bring in the minerals, travel back, and so forth, instead, you're in a lobby, and you get teleported to the mining missions that are very similar, you get into a cave, mine, kill bugs, finish mining, kill bugs while you leave, and get into the ship, I do not recommend this game, I expected more.”
- gameplay10,372 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Deep Rock Galactic" is widely praised for its engaging and addictive loop, combining cooperative mining and combat mechanics in procedurally generated caves. Players appreciate the variety of classes, each with unique abilities that encourage teamwork, as well as the absence of pay-to-win mechanics, with all gameplay content available through play. While some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time, the community's friendliness and the developers' commitment to regular free updates help maintain a fresh and enjoyable experience.
“The gameplay is a blast, with a satisfying loop of mining, shooting bugs, and completing objectives that keeps you coming back for more.”
“Deep Rock Galactic offers a unique blend of thrilling gameplay, tight-knit community, and side-splitting humor that will leave you yearning for more.”
“The core gameplay loop is fun, the cooperative mechanics are well-designed, and the game is filled with charm and personality.”
“The gameplay loop is incredibly polished; gunplay is accurate, impactful, and addicting; classes get 3 primary and secondary weapons to use, each one having an upgrade tree that you can pick and choose through to create the weapon that best reflects your playstyle and what you prefer to use.”
“The core gameplay loop is very simple but so is left 4 dead and that was highly beloved.”
“The gameplay loop is too repetitive and quickly gets boring.”
- graphics3,654 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Deep Rock Galactic" are characterized by a unique low-poly art style that many players find charming and visually appealing, despite its simplicity. While some reviews mention that the graphics can be taxing on lower-end PCs, the game's vibrant colors and effective lighting contribute to an immersive atmosphere that enhances gameplay. Overall, the visuals are praised for their ability to create a fun and engaging experience, even if they don't push the boundaries of modern graphical fidelity.
“The art style is a perfect combination of new and old, purposely keeping models and environments polygonal, and the texture work is pretty basic, but the lighting and the more detailed models like guns add a perfectly balanced modern touch to the game.”
“The graphics are cartoonish and beautiful, which is a good choice for an indie game.”
“The graphics are very pretty and will likely be very timeless due to its style.”
“As far as the graphics, a ton of updates have been adding more and more effects which can cause serious frame rate issues (like sub 30, can't turn smoothly) even on PCs younger than this game.”
“I thought the style is too childish, gameplay too simplistic and the graphics too ugly.”
“The graphics can be odd at first, but it's a very stylized game in a good way.”
- humor3,367 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Deep Rock Galactic" is a standout feature, characterized by witty dialogue, hilarious voice lines, and a lighthearted tone that permeates the gameplay. Players appreciate the comedic interactions between the dwarf characters, the absurdity of their missions, and the amusing effects of in-game drinks, all of which contribute to a fun and chaotic cooperative experience. The game's blend of dark humor and playful antics, especially during intense moments, ensures that players are consistently entertained, making it a memorable and enjoyable title to play with friends.
“Drg is a fantastically funny co-op game full of snarky dwarven commentary, a variety of missions, enemies and objectives, and is absolutely packed with cosmetic items, weapons and upgrades.”
“The game has audio quotes that are hilarious, memorable and fun.”
“The dwarves are a mix of funny, badass and industrious, who do bug genocide and claim riches.”
“Imo this game is very overrated, I love co-op horde shooters, but I found DRG to be corny, not funny, and boring!”
“Actually unfunny new mechanics that were kinda forced upon the player.”
“Deep Rock Galactic is one of those oddball games that comes from out of nowhere and looks like it's supposed to be funny more than fun.”
- music2,640 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Deep Rock Galactic" is widely praised for its immersive and dynamic quality, enhancing the game's atmosphere and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the blend of ambient tracks during exploration and intense, adrenaline-pumping music during combat, which effectively heightens the tension during swarms of enemies. The soundtrack, often described as a mix of synthwave and 80s-inspired tunes, is considered one of the game's standout features, with many players expressing a desire to listen to it outside of the game itself.
“The soundtrack is phenomenal, and the developers of this game are always communicating (stares at valve) and they continue to update the game with new enemies, biomes, weapons, and most importantly new looks for your character.”
“The music is incredible and really helps create the nice dark atmosphere which is emphasized.”
“The soundtrack is a joy to listen to and doesn't detract from the immersion at all.”
“The music is limited and/or boring.”
“The soundtrack is not all that good, often uninspiring and repetitive.”
“The music can get old after a while, even though it's quite good.”
- replayability1,841 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, primarily due to its procedurally generated maps and diverse mission types, which ensure that no two playthroughs are the same. Players appreciate the variety of classes, weapons, and customization options that further enhance the experience, making it enjoyable both solo and in co-op mode. Continuous updates and a supportive community contribute to its lasting appeal, with many reviewers noting that the game offers near-infinite replay value.
“This game is practically infinitely replayable; the way the caves generate means you will almost never play in the exact same cave system layout as before. Even recently, I've encountered cave generation I have never seen before, with gigantic caverns spanning hundreds of meters and tricky winding tunnel systems that interconnect and make you go in circles.”
“The gameplay is rock solid, with endless replayability, amazing synergy with friends, and every weapon is interesting and unique. The atmosphere and music are excellent, and the game offers completely free season passes, along with hundreds of other reasons why this game is amazing.”
“The random generation of each level makes for near infinite replayability, and all the weapons are viable, allowing you to mix and match your play style or try something new for the hell of it.”
“For a game that's clearly meant to have a lot of replayability with the sheer amount of overclocks and in-mission events, the devs have somehow ended up with a game that is downright monotonous.”
“Even with all that, I feel like the game lacks replayability; there is nothing to look out for or look forward to on a mission-to-mission basis outside of upgrades and modifiers.”
“The replayability of this game is surprisingly high too.”
- grinding1,626 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Deep Rock Galactic" has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the grind as a core part of the gameplay that adds to the fun and sense of progression, others find it tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game where grinding for upgrades and cosmetics can feel overwhelming. Overall, the game is often described as enjoyable and rewarding, particularly when played with friends, but it can become grindy and monotonous for solo players or those seeking a more varied experience.
“In-game progression is not grindy or stingy; you'll be getting peppered with new toys at a rapid pace, and after a while, it'll simmer down to a nice and constant flow of new goodies.”
“The game isn't too grindy, almost perfect; just you have too little influence in what overclocks you get since there are a lot, this matters especially for beginners.”
“They created a fun gameplay loop that isn't grindy, giving you a wealth of options for playstyles and cosmetics, and nothing is locked behind a paywall.”
“Don't recommend this game, mainly because of the servers, that, after 11 pm are almost impossible to find and when you do find a server players are either idle or just don't cooperate, it's a bit tedious to search or wait for another server every time you complete a mission, having to repeat the process every time.”
“Getting all the upgrades can be very grindy and feel tedious and repetitive after some time, especially when playing with randoms as there's less shenanigans and more just hopes that the mission goes smoothly.”
“The grind is very long and tedious once you finish the early game and unlock overclocks, a type of super upgrade, but it's integrated so that the grind is literally a part of the game, which means all you have to do is play the game to grind, but it's still a pain.”
- atmosphere1,028 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Deep Rock Galactic" is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, enhanced by stunning visuals, dynamic lighting, and a captivating soundtrack. Players appreciate the unique procedural generation of caves, which ensures that each mission feels fresh and atmospheric, while the game's humor and camaraderie foster a friendly community vibe. Overall, the combination of intense gameplay, rich sound design, and a charming aesthetic creates a memorable experience that resonates with both solo and cooperative play.
“Incredible atmosphere, Deep Rock Galactic really makes you feel like you're in the game with the top-tier music and amazing procedural generation.”
“From the moment you dive into the subterranean depths of Hoxxes IV, you're greeted with an atmosphere that's both exhilarating and immersive.”
“The atmosphere of the game gives you such a cozy feeling when mining your way through the cave on easier difficulties.”
“I tried to find the 'overwhelmingly positive' atmosphere for the game but I did not find it.”
“The atmosphere can legitimately get downright beautiful and the co-op nature of it creates bonds that otherwise couldn't exist.”
“The atmosphere is much friendlier in multiplayer without it.”
- monetization896 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The monetization model of "Deep Rock Galactic" is widely praised for being exceptionally player-friendly and devoid of predatory practices. Players appreciate that the game features no microtransactions or pay-to-win mechanics, with all content unlockable through gameplay, while any additional cosmetic DLC is optional and reasonably priced. This approach, combined with free seasonal updates and a supportive community, positions the game as a standout example of ethical monetization in the current gaming landscape.
“The monetization is the most generous and pro-consumer I have seen in a long time.”
“The business model is perfect: cheap to buy, DLCs and microtransactions are purely cosmetic.”
“In a gaming landscape often marred by predatory monetization and cookie-cutter designs, Deep Rock Galactic emerges as a breath of fresh air, a beacon of generosity, and a testament to what pure, unadulterated fun can look like.”
“The game itself doesn't have any pay-to-win or general cash grab mechanics, making you understand the devs care more about quality than making a quick buck out of it.”
“The developers are committed to a quality experience without any sneaky monetization tactics.”
- optimization721 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many praise its ability to run smoothly on a variety of systems, including older and lower-end PCs, some players have reported performance issues, particularly after recent updates. Overall, the game is generally considered well-optimized for its graphics style, but there are ongoing concerns about occasional stuttering and frame drops, especially in more demanding scenarios.
“Even on an old PC, this is still single-handedly one of the best trades for immersion, optimization, and entertainment.”
“Performance is great; I've not had any significant problems running the game on both lower-end systems and high-end systems.”
“The game is very well optimized, runs smoothly, and has a level of strategy that doesn't punish you drastically for not bringing a member of each class.”
“A very fun game, but horrendously optimized.”
“Unplayable stuttering/fps drops since season 5.”
“Good game, poor optimization.”
- emotional530 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Deep Rock Galactic" is overwhelmingly positive, with players frequently praising its wholesome community and supportive atmosphere. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to foster camaraderie and kindness among players, creating a unique environment where even random encounters feel warm and welcoming. The heartfelt interactions, such as saluting teammates and sharing in-game moments, contribute to a deeply engaging and emotionally satisfying experience that resonates with players long after they log off.
“This game is a thing of beauty and wholesomeness.”
“The echoes of 'rock and stone' pervade my gaming sanctum, a testament to the heartfelt connection that transcends the pixels on the screen.”
“I shed a tear the first time I heard rock and stone.”
- stability502 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback from users, with many praising its overall performance and smooth gameplay, particularly on various platforms like Steam Deck and Linux. However, a significant number of players report frequent bugs and glitches, ranging from minor visual issues to more disruptive gameplay problems, particularly during missions. While some players find the glitches amusing and not game-breaking, others express frustration over the game's instability, especially in online modes and during specific events.
“Amazing game with nice visuals, runs great and has constant care from its developers.”
“The game runs great, very few bugs, and it makes you use some brain but not much.”
“Runs great, looks great, sounds great, engaging gameplay loop, loads of customization, healthy player numbers, and zero microtransaction nonsense.”
“This game is so buggy, it's like they didn't even bother to test it before releasing it.”
“The only complaint I have is that it's quite buggy; when in a tight space or some pixels clash into each other, you can be flung off to the other corner of the room or potentially fall into a deep ravine where your only fate is to die, which is quite annoying.”
“Played the game for 10 hours and go to load up my game and it completely resets my progress for no reason, 10 hours of my life wasted for no reason because of a buggy game that they refuse to fix.”
- character development63 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its engaging and humorous character designs, which enhance the overall immersive experience. Players appreciate the depth of customization and upgrade options available for characters, although some feel that the character development system could be more expansive. The attention to detail in character design, combined with a charming art style and witty dialogue, contributes to a memorable and enjoyable gameplay experience.
“The attention to detail in both the environments and character designs is outstanding, making each mission feel like a unique and thrilling experience.”
“Character development comes in the form of upgrades for guns, pickaxe, armor and support tools, new grenade/throwable types and, later in the game, overclocks for guns.”
“Complex and beautiful procedurally generated caves, charming and often hilarious character design, a build for every play style, infinitely replayable.”
“If you are looking for in character development via huge skills, forget this game.”
“Limited missions and character development.”
“Ugly character designs, ugly map designs, ugly enemy designs, there is nothing interesting about this game, soulless and you can tell the developers weren't passionate about this project.”