Going Under

The word play in its title isn’t the only thing going for this roguelite.

Starting at $2.24Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

Get on Epic Games Store

"Going Under" is a satirical dungeon crawler set in the cursed ruins of failed tech startups. As an unpaid intern, you'll use office junk as weapons to battle monsters and repossess assets for your boss. Explore quirky procedural dungeons based on gig worker, dating site, and cryptocurrency startups, all while uncovering the true motives of your employer in the dystopian city of Neo-Cascadia.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,894 reviews

gameplay225 positive mentions

grinding35 negative mentions

Creative world-building and characters that provide a humorous take on corporate culture and modern work life.
Engaging gameplay with a unique weapon system that allows players to use almost anything as a weapon, keeping combat fresh and dynamic.
Charming art style and a fantastic soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.

Difficulty spikes in the second half of the game can feel frustrating and unbalanced, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
Combat can feel clunky at times, with issues related to hit detection and the dodge roll mechanics.
Limited variety in dungeons and enemy types may lead to repetitive gameplay after multiple runs.

gameplay
528 mentions
43 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Going Under" is characterized by its chaotic and engaging mechanics, allowing players to use a variety of objects as weapons while navigating randomly generated dungeons. While many players appreciate the humor, art style, and fast-paced action, some criticize the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in the latter stages of the game. Overall, it offers a unique blend of roguelike elements with a comedic twist, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more polished or complex gameplay experience.
- “The gameplay is pretty stimulating, forcing you to equip and re-equip items on the fly and switch between weapons in different combat scenarios.”
- “Going Under is a wonderfully delightful action roguelike with addicting gameplay and lovely artwork and witty dialogue.”
- “The gameplay is just the sweet spot between Hades's rogue-like mechanics and Breath of the Wild's weapon breaking mechanics; it's an absolute blast.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay doesn't live up to the rest of it.”
- “The issue is that this gameplay feels like early access.”
- “The gameplay feels tired.”
humor
450 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is widely praised for its clever writing, relatable satire, and charming character interactions, often drawing on themes from startup culture and modern work life. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and absurd scenarios, which contribute to a fun and engaging experience, making it a standout in the roguelike genre. While some find the humor occasionally hits or misses, the overall consensus is that it adds significant enjoyment to the gameplay.
- “The humor in the dialogue is amazing, and the metaphors and social commentary it makes on current work culture is something we don't see enough of in the current gaming industry.”
- “The writing is absolutely hilarious, to the point where I'm worried to drink water while playing, or I may end up spitting it out at an amazing joke.”
- “Going Under is a dungeon crawler with frantic action and very funny writing.”
- “The humor is unbelievably non-cringey despite the subject matter.”
- “The writing is sharp, relatable, cringey (to great effect), legitimately funny, and sometimes scathing of the modern world and the people who inhabit it.”
story
423 mentions
39 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Going Under" is a satirical exploration of corporate culture, particularly focusing on the absurdities of startup life and the struggles of young workers. Players engage with a cast of likable characters through humor-filled dialogue and quests that enhance the narrative experience, although some reviewers noted a decline in story engagement during the latter half of the game. Overall, the writing is praised for its cleverness and relatability, making the game a charming and entertaining experience despite some gameplay frustrations.
- “The story is a satirical take on corporate work culture that anyone who has worked a job in the industry would come to know and despise.”
- “The story is surprisingly captivating with twists and turns making it a wonderful experience.”
- “The story, soundtrack, and character dialogue are worth it even if the combat isn't my favorite in a roguelite.”
- “The amount of story and dialogue becomes almost non-existent compared to the first half of the game, and literally no new mechanics or unlocks are introduced whatsoever.”
- “The game does this for the first 4-6 hours, at which point you will finally feel the gameplay fatigue kicking in, with the story being unable to stop it.”
- “The story is a less-than-subtle critique of hyper-corporatism and the struggle of the young jobseeker, and the graphics emulating that ugly, disgusting art style they all use is a very nice touch.”
graphics
400 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Going Under" are widely praised for their unique and vibrant art style, which cleverly parodies the soulless corporate aesthetics prevalent in modern tech culture. Players appreciate the colorful, cartoonish visuals that enhance the game's humorous narrative, although some note that the simplistic design can lead to confusion during gameplay. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The graphics are very slick, as typical of an indie game, but more so they reflect the claymation of such works like the 'Don't Hug Me I'm Scared' aesthetic.”
- “The art style is charmingly simplistic with expressive character portraits, the gameplay is fun regardless of your skill level, and the story was genuinely engaging instead of being fluff around the edges.”
- “The visuals are charming and inviting, the story is comical and relatable.”
- “The graphics aren't great, but they stylize them in a way where you get used to them.”
- “The big blocky designs don't work well with cramped arenas and tons of effects that make it hard to tell exactly what's going on half the time.”
- “The visuals are simple and very pretty - they remind me of those lifeless 'corporate art' designs, but if the artists actually cared about what they were making.”
music
262 mentions
63 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Going Under" has received widespread acclaim for its catchy, energetic soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to complement the game's quirky art style and humor, with many describing it as "banging" and "full of bangers." While some found certain tracks generic, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature that keeps players engaged and entertained throughout their gaming sessions.
- “The soundtrack is chock-full of bangers and you will catch yourself bobbing your head a lot!”
- “The music is so good and I sometimes find myself pausing the game just to listen to it (Joblin and WinkyDink are the best, no doubt).”
- “The music completes the aesthetic, mixing corporate elevator 'muzak' together with some legitimately jazzing tunes, and it's varied enough you never get bored of it.”
- “Musics alright, kinda generic but it's decent enough, fits the office theme I guess.”
- “Would like it if we got more area variety rather than just Styxcoin WinkyDink and Joblin. The only thing I didn't like about this game was the final boss music; it's just three words said like a billion times and it gets really annoying.”
- “The music gets worse everywhere, the levels look uglier, and even the title screen gets a downgrade.”
replayability
62 mentions
35 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting its roguelike and rogue-lite elements, procedural generation, and diverse gameplay options that encourage experimentation with different playstyles. However, some reviews note limitations in replay value, particularly after completing the main story, suggesting that while it offers enjoyable short-term experiences, it may not sustain long-term engagement without additional content. Overall, it strikes a balance between fun, varied gameplay and a somewhat limited replayability compared to other titles in the genre.
- “The game's procedural generation, rogue-lite elements, and replayability make it a game that is worth playing multiple times.”
- “Infinitely replayable, and so much fun!”
- “The new impostor mode (basically making the game like a classic roguelike) is a great addition to the game to increase replayability.”
- “If you're looking for a highly replayable game, you won't find it here though.”
- “I enjoyed it, but for being roguelike, it lacks replayability.”
- “The game is too short to recommend and lacks replayability compared to other dungeon crawler games.”
grinding
36 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many noting that it can become tedious and repetitive, especially in the later stages and during boss fights. While some appreciate the challenge and the need for grinding to progress, others feel that the gameplay loop lacks variety and can lead to burnout. Despite these criticisms, some players still enjoy the game for its unique mechanics and engaging story, suggesting that the grind may be worth it for those who appreciate the genre.
- “Going under is fun to play, not tedious to 100%. It has some nice variety with its perks and weapons, and will either be remembered as a well-known classic or a hidden gem years from now.”
- “However, once you 'go under' and have to beat the harder form of the three dungeons, the game really starts to creak and meta-progression slows to a grindy crawl.”
- “It indeed got the 'work from home' update, which added a new challenge, but unfortunately it's incredibly repetitive and grindy, and a major sore point.”
- “The dungeons are remixes of the first three, but boredom, tediousness, and a lack of NPC interaction makes the world feel utterly dead.”
stability
21 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game exhibits a range of stability issues, including various glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in modes like "impostor mode." While many players find these issues to be minor and not game-breaking, some report significant bugs that can affect the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game's charm and engaging mechanics often outweigh the stability concerns for most users.
- “I've been playing it on my recently acquired Steam Deck; it runs great and works well as a short to medium session time killer while waiting or just to kick back and relax.”
- “It can be pretty buggy at times, even after making adjustments.”
- “Numerous glitches and bugs in imposter mode.”
- “Beware: if you are planning to play this seriously, especially with the new 'impostor mode', the game is buggy as hell and some of the bugs are game breaking (curses never expiring, getting stuck in a room because the game thinks you are still in combat etc).”
atmosphere
20 mentions
50 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a vibrant and satirical take on corporate culture, contrasting the typical dark tones of souls-like dungeon crawlers. Players appreciate the lively art style, clever writing, and attention to detail, which together create a humorous and engaging experience that critiques modern capitalism. Overall, the unique aesthetic and upbeat yet oppressive ambiance contribute significantly to its charm and replayability.
- “Where most souls-like dungeon crawlers are steeped in dark and depressing atmosphere, this game stands apart with a brighter and more colorful kind of dystopia.”
- “The atmosphere, visual effects, color choices, and animations perfectly capture the 2018-2022 'corporate art' style that's so easy to vilify.”
- “What makes all of this so disappointing is that I adore the atmosphere of this game and everything attached to it.”
- “It all comes together and fits the atmosphere of the corporate workplace, namely in how it replicates the upbeat oppressiveness of new-age capitalism.”
- “Other details that add to this atmosphere include the art style, the bumping soundtrack, the specialized loading screens for each dungeon, the dialog system resembling messenger.”
emotional
19 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Going Under" is characterized by a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, resonating deeply with players who have experienced toxic work environments. While the game offers a satirical take on corporate culture, it also delivers genuine emotional depth, with relatable characters and a narrative that evokes nostalgia and empathy. Despite some initial emotional flatness, many players find the story ultimately touching and impactful, making it a memorable experience.
- “A big emotional bear is what he is.”
- “The story has a few surprising twists and even manages to be sincerely emotionally touching.”
- “This game can be emotionally draining at times, but I think that makes its ultimate messages resonate more.”
character development
12 mentions
67 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by its charming and endearing character designs, which effectively convey personality traits through visual cues and dialogue. The humor and aesthetics enhance the overall experience, while side missions contribute to character growth and replayability. Overall, players appreciate the unique art direction and engaging character interactions that complement the gameplay.
- “The character designs are super endearing, monsters are varied and clever, and animations are perfect for each personality.”
- “This essentially amounts to side missions and not only does it bring some good character development, it adds a level of replayability which means that the game remains interesting.”
- “The character design is fantastic, you can pretty much understand the basics of each character from their vignettes in conversation.”
- “I love the art direction, music, character design, and unique premise, but the actual gameplay feels clunky and unfinished.”
- “The humor runs consistently through all the character design, dialog, mechanics and art; the aesthetics are standout gorgeous, while remaining fully in keeping with the themes explored and the gameplay was both challenging and engaging.”
- “A unique take on the roguelike, dungeon crawling genre with some charming art and character design to go with it.”
optimization
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with most players experiencing stable performance and minimal bugs. However, some users report occasional lag and camera issues that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during intense moments. Despite these sporadic problems, the game's performance is often rated highly, indicating a well-optimized experience overall.
- “Most of the game's performance was 10/10 and I saw very few recurring bugs, but sometimes you'll get a run where every bug rears its ugly head at once until the geometry itself is out to get you.”
- “Your performance is ranked out of five stars, rewarding you with various item crates that depend on your score.”
- “And it has an incredible optimization going for it.”
- “Some performance issues.”
- “Performance can randomly lag, at least on my PC, and when it does, the camera goes wack and then I have to fight it in addition to the enemies in the room.”
- “Game performance and stability are lacking.”
monetization
8 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players feeling misled by advertising that suggested a different experience than what was delivered. While the game's aesthetic and art style effectively reflect modern advertising trends, there is a sense of caution regarding the portrayal of corporate advertising practices, hinting at a critique of the industry. Overall, the game blends engaging visuals with a commentary on the nature of advertising, though it may not fully meet players' expectations based on its promotional materials.
- “I was slightly disappointed by the fact that this part of the game was not what the ads made me think it was.”
- “I think this game is trying to tell me that Google ads are creepy and should be watched with caution and with a VPN.”
- “Advertising: one more thing, I guess.”