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From the Depths

89%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
stability, grinding
89% User Score Based on 10,255 reviews

Platforms

MOMac OSPCPCWinWindowsLinLinux
Buy Nowfrom $9.14
Buy NowGet on Steam$24.99

About

"From The Depths" is a sandbox vehicle construction game where you can build and command battleships, planes, submarines, and more in intense battles. The game features a creative mode, a strategic campaign with eight factions, and a story mode. It also offers in-game planet, campaign, mission, and multiplayer map editors, as well as Steam workshop support for sharing your creations. Available on PC, Mac, and Linux.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
From the Depths screenshot
From the Depths screenshot
From the Depths screenshot
From the Depths screenshot
From the Depths screenshot
From the Depths screenshot
From the Depths screenshot
From the Depths screenshot
From the Depths screenshot
From the Depths screenshot
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+29

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 10,255 reviews
gameplay221 positive mentions
stability123 negative mentions
  • The game offers a rich sandbox experience with extensive customization and creative freedom, allowing players to build intricate war machines and engage in strategic battles.
  • Despite its steep learning curve, players find the gameplay deeply rewarding, with a dedicated community providing support and resources to help navigate the complexities.
  • The humor and chaotic nature of combat add a lighthearted element to the game, making the challenging gameplay more enjoyable.
  • The interface and controls are often criticized as unintuitive and frustrating, particularly for new players, leading to a steep and tedious learning process.
  • Many players report frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly during large battles, which significantly hinder the gameplay experience.
  • The story aspect is generally viewed as underwhelming and serves primarily as a tutorial rather than a compelling narrative, leaving players wanting more depth.
  • gameplay
    925 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "From the Depths" is characterized by its steep learning curve and complex mechanics, requiring players to invest significant time—often over 100 hours—to fully grasp the intricacies of vehicle design, combat, and resource management. While the building mechanics offer extensive customization and creative freedom, many players find the interface and controls unintuitive, leading to frustration during the initial stages. However, those who persevere often find the gameplay rewarding, with a rich sandbox experience that allows for the creation of intricate war machines and engaging strategic battles.

    • “Difficult to learn, but extremely deep and rewarding when you get a decent understanding of the core mechanics.”
    • “The amount of systems, mechanics, and creativity at play here is staggering.”
    • “This game is incredibly complex and the learning curve is really high, though it has in-depth explanations of mechanics in-game and a dedicated community on YouTube and Discord to help players with anything you can imagine.”
    • “I've played a lot of vehicle building games and I have to say this one by far has the worst building mechanics out of any of them.”
    • “The tutorial lasts longer than any tutorial I know of combined and I don't want to spend hours just to learn the mechanics.”
    • “The controls are so asinine it feels like they made them as complicated and stupidly designed for no other reason than to make the game a nightmare to control purely in the name of making more complex just so they can advertise that the game is complex and deep level mechanics.”
  • story
    389 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is generally viewed as underwhelming, with many players noting that it serves primarily as a tutorial rather than a compelling narrative. While there are various campaigns and story missions, they often feel disjointed, buggy, and lacking depth, leading some to recommend focusing on gameplay mechanics instead. Overall, the story is seen as a basic framework to support the game's extensive vehicle-building and combat systems, rather than a central feature worth engaging with.

    • “Playing through the Deepwater Guard story (the first one, with pirates) will give you a good understanding of controlling ships, using missiles and torpedoes and flying planes, while the Steel Striders story (the second one, with military) will let you get to grips with advanced cannons and shell composition.”
    • “The tutorials are excellent, story mode is like a live action tutorial and great for new players.”
    • “The story missions help by giving you a more defined challenge than just 'survive.'”
    • “The various game modes like campaign, story mode, and adventure are not thought out at all and are obviously thrown in very lazily so the devs can use the excuse that the game has content.”
    • “The missions are the only thing in the game that are not horrible; they aren't very fun, but if I ever opened this game again they would be the second thing I do, the first would be trying to press the exit button.”
    • “If you are looking for a game with an in-depth story, then I would give this game a pass.”
  • graphics
    361 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are not cutting-edge, they are adequate for the gameplay experience. Some users appreciate the unique art style and improvements made over time, particularly in water and special effects, while others criticize the dated visuals and performance issues, especially during large battles. Overall, the graphics are seen as a secondary concern to the game's depth and complexity, with many players willing to overlook visual shortcomings for the engaging gameplay.

    • “The graphics have been updated over time and look really decent for the most part, with nice looking textures and great ocean waves.”
    • “The graphics are nice for a voxel-based game.”
    • “The new graphics are amazing and the missile changes bring a breath of fresh air to combat.”
    • “It needs a massive amount of polish: the interface really needs refining and I find the graphics uninspiring, especially on land.”
    • “The graphics are dated but they work well with the game; I wouldn't need more.”
    • “The graphics are very subpar as well as about every single art asset in the game from menus to blocks to textures, so in that sense don't expect much, but what it lacks in visual beauty it makes up for in sheer mechanical depth.”
  • optimization
    254 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, especially during large battles or when using complex designs. While some users report that it runs well on medium-end PCs and appreciate the depth of customization and performance tuning, others express frustration over the steep learning curve and the game's tendency to lag or stutter, particularly with larger creations. Overall, while there have been improvements over time, many players still feel that further optimization is needed to enhance the experience, especially for those with lower-end hardware.

    • “The game's systems in how weapons, engines, and defenses are constructed are simple(ish) on the surface, but complex in optimization.”
    • “The customization and optimization is endless.”
    • “This game is fantastic, and really the optimization is very good.”
    • “The game's performance is often choppy and unstable, even on high-end systems.”
    • “The primary problem with the game is the performance; it is only single-threaded, which means every extra vehicle in play slows the game down noticeably.”
    • “I love this game; I would recommend it all day, 10 out of 10 all around, but it has some real performance problems. It's still worth it, but hopefully, they fix it because I cannot go one game without it crashing on me.”
  • stability
    133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that hinder gameplay. While some players appreciate the potential and creativity the game offers, they often express frustration over the numerous technical issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," but some users note improvements over time, suggesting ongoing development efforts to address these stability problems.

    • “For a game with so much going on, it runs great.”
    • “Relatively bug free and all around functions better than average similar games from my own experience and has gone through plenty of changes that promise an even better future for the game.”
    • “Really well made, for an early access game, close to no glitches.”
    • “Half an hour into the dozens of buggy tutorials and trying to cope with the incomprehensibly bad controls, and I want a refund.”
    • “The game has so many game-breaking glitches at the moment that I can't recommend this game.”
    • “Unless you are willing to put hundreds of hours into just troubleshooting a ship to stop it from constantly moving, do not buy this game.”
  • humor
    59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a key aspect, with players enjoying the absurdity of their creations and the chaotic nature of combat, often leading to hilarious outcomes. Many reviews mention the comedic potential of building unconventional ships and the unpredictable interactions during gameplay, which contribute to a lighthearted experience despite the game's complexity. Overall, the humor is described as a blend of slapstick and clever quips, making the challenging gameplay more enjoyable.

    • “If you're looking for an experience that's as unpredictable as a squirrel on caffeine, as intricate as a Rube Goldberg machine, and as wild as a circus with kangaroos, then this game will leave you laughing, scratching your head, and hungry for more.”
    • “The little quips the creator puts into the game add a good amount of humor, and the fact that the voiceover doesn't sound like Google Translate is a real plus.”
    • “It's wildly funny to watch a tiny boat completely decimate a battleship the size of a commercial cruise ship.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
    • “I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
    • “The attempts at comedy just made me roll my eyes.”
  • replayability
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players highlighting its diverse single-player content, multiple game modes, and extensive customization options. While some campaigns may lack replay value, the overall experience is enriched by a steep learning curve that rewards players with nearly infinite replay opportunities through varied strategies and community-driven content. Many reviewers consider it one of the most replayable games available, offering hundreds to thousands of hours of engaging gameplay.

    • “It's a really good and in-depth game with tons of replayability and freedom.”
    • “This verisimilitude ensures that no two ventures through the game are identical, thus endowing it with a replayability that is as infinite as the stars in the night sky.”
    • “Hundreds of building components, thousands of possibilities; once you get past the admittedly steep learning curve, you unlock a lifetime's worth of replay value.”
    • “The campaigns have little to no replay value.”
    • “While I haven't exactly played it every day, it's one of the few games that I can consistently return to with endless replayability and one thing that I always look for in any game: endless customization.”
    • “That means each campaign could take you 30+ hours, with customizable campaigns and ships... endless replayability.”
  • grinding
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and complex, often requiring players to invest significant time in tutorials and resource gathering. Many reviewers note that while the game has fun elements, the steep learning curve and cumbersome controls can make the experience frustrating, particularly for casual gamers. Overall, players suggest that only those willing to endure the grind and complexity may find enjoyment in the game.

    • “There's no grinding for days to get what you want.”
    • “No grinding needed to unlock character weapons; when you battle, you will quickly level up. If you have a great ship/base, you will reach level 15 within an hour, if not faster.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game is beyond unnecessary levels of complex, complicated, and tedious as hell; none of the tutorials make any remote sense, it's just not fun.”
    • “The recourse collection rate is absolutely horrific; even if the game is supposed to take a while, it really does take the piss, making the start of games very tedious.”
  • music
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its high tempo and engaging soundtrack, while others criticize it for being overly loud and distracting, particularly during tutorials. Many players appreciate the recent updates to the music, noting that it enhances the overall experience, although some express disappointment over the limited variety and occasional glitches that disrupt playback. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, it is not without its flaws, leading to a range of opinions on its effectiveness.

    • “From the roaring engines to the epic soundtrack, it's like having a marching band follow you into war.”
    • “The building system is well designed and intuitive, the music is really nice to listen to, the campaign is a good test of your design's merits, art style is very nice to look at and people are able to make incredibly detailed and/or complex vehicles.”
    • “Definately ranks in the top three best games that I have ever played, the key-based building system is intuitive, the campaign is fun, and the soundtrack is great.”
    • “Ui is terrible, map is terrible, looks and plays bland, no decent sounds or music.”
    • “Oh yeah also, what is this music taste?”
    • “I hate the new layout of the menus and how the original music is mostly drowned out by crappy modern music, back in the original days this was the best game, but now it's just bad, wouldn't recommend it anymore.”
  • emotional
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a mix of emotional experiences while engaging with the game, highlighting both the joy of creative freedom and the frustration stemming from complex mechanics and UI issues. The emotional highs come from the satisfaction of building and experimenting, reminiscent of early gaming experiences, while the lows are characterized by feelings of anger, confusion, and disappointment due to technical challenges and failures. Overall, the game elicits a strong emotional response, making it a double-edged sword for players who must navigate its intricacies.

    • “Playing this game in 2020 made me feel the joy of creative freedom, unknown potential, and wonder I had not felt since first playing Minecraft in 2010.”
    • “There is also nothing more heart-wrenching than watching that same railgun just bounce off by some miracle followed by the enemy's pac tearing off a destroyer's worth of metal.”
    • “If you are not good at handling the emotional frustration that comes with complete failure that cost 20-100 hours of effort, this game is probably not for you.”
  • atmosphere
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is described as a unique blend of blocky visuals and creative freedom, allowing players to build a wide range of vehicles and structures, from submarines to orbital carriers. While some users appreciate the original aesthetic and immersive gameplay, others express a desire for enhancements in environmental dynamics and a more engaging atmosphere beyond the current offerings. Overall, the game captivates players with its sandbox elements and the potential for creative expression, despite some critiques regarding the depth of atmospheric features.

    • “For me as a creator on the Space Engineers workshop, this game really interested me as a potential avenue to express that same creative vision in a new atmosphere, one focused primarily around naval operations.”
    • “You can build and customize weapons, vehicles, and structures ranging from submarines and battleships to floating cities high up in the atmosphere.”
    • “Personally, I just love the atmosphere.”
    • “Visual atmosphere like skybox, sunlight, it all is kind of strange, making it original but I would love to see some changes.”
    • “If you've played games like Kerbal Space Program, and like that flavor of masochism where you need to spend hours and hours trying to get out of the atmosphere for the first time, this is 100% the game for you.”
    • “I recommend this game because the atmosphere of this game sucks you in.”
  • monetization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with players criticizing the intrusive advertising and unskippable launcher that promotes recruitment ads and DLC, which many consider unnecessary and a cash grab. However, some users appreciate that the game avoids microtransactions common in AAA titles and is regularly updated, suggesting a commitment to quality over profit. Overall, while the game has potential, its monetization strategy may detract from the player experience.

    • “It's an indie game, so there are none of those microtransactions or other infamous aspects of AAA games.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players to spend money to enjoy the game.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers a complete experience without relying on pay-to-win mechanics.”
    • “It is really kind of sad that the advertising is put together better than the actual product itself: so I will not be buying anything in early access going forward, because you cannot return software that turns out to be frustrating to operate once it finally goes live months later.”
    • “Right and it has a dumb 'launcher' that is just the game giving you workshop ads and patch notes every time you start it, unskippable.”
    • “Please for the love of god try to ignore the DLC; it's probably a cash grab and it has no effect on gameplay. Most of it is fine, but in my opinion, the DLC is not worth it in the slightest.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is multifaceted, incorporating various elements such as stats, items, and both self and fleet buffs. Players appreciate the depth and customization options available, allowing for tailored growth and strategic enhancements to their characters. Overall, the system is seen as engaging and integral to gameplay progression.

    • “The character development system is incredibly deep, allowing for a wide range of customization through stats, items, and unique self buffs that truly make each character feel unique.”
    • “I love how the game offers fleet buffs that enhance not just individual characters but the entire team, making strategic choices in character development crucial for success.”
    • “The progression in character development is rewarding; as you invest in your characters, you can see tangible improvements in their abilities and overall performance.”
    • “The character development feels shallow, with limited options for customization and growth.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful progression; it seems like the characters don't evolve in any significant way.”
    • “The system for character development is overly simplistic, making it hard to feel invested in my character's journey.”

Buy From the Depths

150h Median play time
409h Average play time
25-500h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 138 analyzed playthroughs

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