Feed the Deep

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 339 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • atmosphere
Feed the Deep Game Cover
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"Feed the Deep" is a roguelike game with Lovecraftian themes, where you descend into procedurally generated undersea caves to collect resources and manage limited oxygen and hostile wildlife. With each playthrough offering a unique experience, players must complete their mission to "Feed the Deep" while enjoying an atmospheric soundtrack by award-winning composer Cedar Jones. The game is developed by Luke Muscat, known for creating hit titles like Jetpack Joyride and Fruit Ninja.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 339 reviews
gameplay36 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • The game features a satisfying gameplay loop that combines exploration and resource gathering, reminiscent of Dome Keeper and other roguelikes.
  • The atmosphere is immersive and engaging, with effective sound design and a sense of tension that enhances the experience of underwater exploration.
  • Each level introduces unique mechanics and challenges, keeping the gameplay fresh and encouraging players to uncover secrets and complete optional objectives.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive due to the backtracking required to gather resources and complete objectives, which may detract from long-term engagement.
  • Some players find the lack of permanent upgrades or progression between runs unsatisfying, leading to a feeling of limited motivation to replay levels.
  • The game lacks a comprehensive tutorial, which can leave players confused about objectives and mechanics, especially in the early stages.
  • gameplay88 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the unique mechanics and engaging level design that introduces new elements throughout the game. However, some critics noted that the core gameplay loop can become repetitive and lacks depth, leading to a diminished motivation to replay levels. Overall, while the game offers a satisfying experience with a blend of exploration and challenge, it may not hold long-term appeal for all players.

    • “Fun game with an interesting gameplay loop; excited to see more from you, Mr. Dev!”
    • “The gameplay loop is engaging enough to encourage exploration without becoming too tiresome, and from what I can tell so far, the game has a lot of content for its insanely fair price.”
    • “Each level has its own central theme that introduces new mechanics to the game for you to explore.”
    • “I have a couple of criticisms of the gameplay: one is the key and treasure chest idea does not work very well, with the key needing to be placed too particularly and the items exploding out that causes them to fall downward, away off the screen.”
    • “However, the gameplay loop becomes repetitive fairly quickly, and only a few of the items and upgrades feel impactful (those being the flare gun and the glow sticks).”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and the upgrade system is grindy.”
  • story48 mentions

    The game's story presents an intriguing concept centered around eldritch horror and the sacrifices made to protect floating cities, but many players feel it lacks depth and impact. While the mission-based structure offers variety and replayability, the narrative is often described as basic, with lore notes that fail to enrich the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the atmosphere and environmental storytelling are praised, contributing to a fun and engaging gameplay loop.

    • “The story has an excellent foundation with this eldritch horror that forces people to constantly sacrifice themselves to keep floating cities safe; however, it takes the entire concept and just makes it a bit boring.”
    • “The writing, in both the mission introductions and the journals one can find on the seafloor, is superb, being both very dark and quite funny in some cases.”
    • “Fantastic little game with a great atmosphere and intriguing storyline.”
    • “However, if there's one thing in this game that I wasn't really a fan of, it would be the story.”
    • “The game has 75 lore notes which I found all of, and although they are certainly fun to find and read, they don't really tell a ton of story.”
    • “Overall it's a pretty great game that just suffers a bit from having a story that's a little too basic.”
  • atmosphere32 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining a unique art style, engaging music, and subtle horror elements that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a relaxing yet eerie environment, perfect for exploration and discovery, while also noting that the atmosphere contributes to both tension and intrigue throughout gameplay. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making the game enjoyable and captivating for players.

    • “Feed the Deep is a short but atmospheric game that excels in its art style and the subtle horror elements it brings to the table.”
    • “From the moment the game opens, you feel the atmosphere; the music sets the scene perfectly and the intensity is felt from the start.”
    • “The atmosphere and storytelling are subtle, with many hidden secrets to uncover - I am intrigued to see how deep it goes...”
    • “The repetitive nature of this doesn't bother me in the slightest because the world, and the atmosphere you're placed into is quite relaxing and peaceful, but I can absolutely see how it could get boring or downright annoying to some players to have to keep retracing their steps back and forth.”
    • “Also the limited vision, and although I hate the silt, it adds to the atmosphere of diving in a cave.”
    • “The atmosphere lets the game have spooky moments that made me shiver.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a blend of spooky and relaxing themes. Reviewers highlight the excellent composition, particularly noting the main themes and unique soundscapes that adapt to gameplay, creating a cohesive and engaging ambiance. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a significant strength, contributing to the game's world-building and emotional depth.

    • “Perfectly balanced between gathering and exploring, with a gorgeous soundtrack and great world building.”
    • “Let me say the music is also absolutely excellent, the main themes, the surface theme, the shop theme which is absolutely amazing, and the old and simple tune that emanates from an underwater boom box that is just such a good composition.”
    • “From the moment the game opens you feel the atmosphere, the music sets the scene perfectly and the intensity is felt from the start.”
    • “I just completed the final mission, and after the credits and the successful music, a small message came up:”
    • “The art and music are delicate and touching, the atmosphere is immersive, and the lore is interesting with a twist.”
    • “- tense and atmospheric, from the music to the mechanic everything feels cohesive and crafted to just make you feel a little off-kilter.”
  • replayability20 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the procedural generation, challenges, and side content that enhance replay value, others feel it lacks depth and variety, suggesting that more content is needed for sustained engagement. Some reviews highlight enjoyable mechanics and lore that encourage multiple playthroughs, but there are also criticisms regarding the simplicity and limited replay potential of the base game.

    • “The challenges range from completing the mission to finding specific secrets, and importantly, they provide new ways to play through old missions, which adds a nice layer of replay value.”
    • “With the amount of side content and replayability included, the current price is a crazy good deal!”
    • “The main gameplay loop is enjoyable, and procedural generation adds to replayability.”
    • “This brings me to my only real complaint, I wish there was more replay value to the game.”
    • “As a roguelite, it's a shame that the biggest issue with the game is its replayability.”
    • “I would estimate that the game needs 10 times more content to be minimally replayable.”
  • graphics19 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their unique art style, atmospheric lighting, and attention to detail, particularly in the underwater environments. While some players noted that the graphics could be improved, they still contribute significantly to the overall immersive experience and complement the game's sound design and gameplay. Overall, the visuals are described as visually appealing and effective in enhancing the game's themes of exploration and subtle horror.

    • “Feed the Deep is a short but atmospheric game that excels in its art style and the subtle horror elements it brings to the table.”
    • “Graphically impressive, the lighting and sense of gloom in the depths is very nice.”
    • “The graphics are nice and crisp, with a fast UI that ensures you'll be back into the game as quickly as possible after purchasing upgrades.”
    • “Graphics could be a little prettier but obviously does not hinder the gameplay.”
    • “It's not fun, it doesn't have as fun an aesthetic as Wallworld or Dome Keeper.”
    • “Graphics: 6/10 (simple and pretty, nothing crazy but nice colors and style)”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly regarding the upgrade system and the need for extensive exploration and return trips. While some appreciate the core mechanics of retracing steps, many feel that the grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially in the early game. Overall, the grind can feel overwhelming and may require significant time investment to achieve desired progress.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and the upgrade system is grindy.”
    • “Early game grinding diminishes the fun.”
    • “The actual lore is pretty good but it's very tedious to get it all.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report that the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, indicating a stable performance for players using this platform.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “I'm just starting out, but this runs great on the Steam Deck.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by superb writing that blends dark themes with comedic elements, particularly evident in mission introductions and seafloor journals.

    • “The writing, in both the mission introductions and the journals one can find on the seafloor, is superb, being both very dark and quite funny in some cases.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, highlighted by its delicate art and music that create an immersive atmosphere, complemented by intriguing lore that adds depth and unexpected twists.

    • “The art and music are delicate and touching, creating an immersive atmosphere that draws you in.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters and their stories left a lasting impact on me.”
    • “The game's narrative evokes a range of feelings, making every moment feel significant.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with only minor stuttering reported during area transitions, which resolves quickly.

    • “I ran into some minor stuttering (I assume when loading new areas), but nothing that didn't quickly resolve itself.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
3-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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