Going Under

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

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"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

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,807 reviews

gameplay452 positive mentions

grinding70 negative mentions

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

Combat can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating moments.
Difficulty spikes in the second half of the game can be jarring and may require grinding.
Limited variety in dungeons and some skills feel underwhelming or not impactful enough.

gameplay
1,060 mentions
43 % positive mentions
53 % 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 and art style, some criticize the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in the later stages of the game where difficulty spikes can lead to frustration. Overall, the game offers a fun and unique experience, blending roguelike elements with a satirical narrative, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its occasional clunkiness and reliance on RNG.
- “The gameplay is solid and fun, the art direction is brilliant, and the soundtrack is amazing.”
- “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 has you picking up new wacky weapons almost every room, with mechanics and enemies changing frequently enough that you just kind of have to work with them on the fly and see how it goes.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay doesn't live up to the rest of it.”
- “The issue is that this gameplay feels like early access.”
- “The gameplay gets incredibly stale after a while and it's the narrative and commentary that drives the players forward in the first half of the game.”
humor
906 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Going Under" is widely praised for its sharp, satirical take on startup culture and corporate life, resonating particularly with players familiar with these environments. Reviewers highlight the clever writing, relatable characters, and a plethora of funny dialogue that keeps the experience engaging and entertaining. While some find the humor occasionally hits or misses, the overall consensus is that it adds significant charm and enjoyment to the gameplay, making it a standout title in the roguelike genre.
- “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 in the current gaming industry.”
- “This game has made me laugh quite a bit, and it's a great piece of satire.”
- “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.”
- “The writing is sharp, relatable, cringey (to great effect), legitimately funny, and sometimes scathing of the modern world and the people who inhabit it.”
- “The humor is unbelievably non-cringey despite the subject matter.”
story
851 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 humorous dialogue and quests, which enhance the narrative experience, although some reviewers noted that the story's depth diminishes in the latter half of the game. Overall, the writing is praised for its cleverness and relatability, making it a standout feature of the game 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 whole story and all of the dialogues are cleverly written commentaries on various topics such as corporate greed, workplace culture, startups, artificial intelligence, and even the overuse of technology.”
- “The story is charming and poignant given the way the world is going; the characters all have individuality and fun interactions, and the combat is fun while still being challenging.”
- “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.”
- “If the first half of the game focused on carrying the gameplay through narrative, the second half tries to carry the narrative through gameplay by removing all of the story and dialogues, and locking them behind gameplay progression.”
graphics
802 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Going Under" are characterized by a vibrant and unique art style that cleverly parodies the soulless corporate aesthetics prevalent in modern tech culture. Players appreciate the colorful, cartoonish visuals and the charming character designs, which enhance the game's humorous narrative and engaging gameplay. While some critiques mention that the graphics can occasionally feel cluttered or simplistic, the overall consensus is that the art style significantly contributes to the game's appeal and thematic depth.
- “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 and art style are absolutely stunning, the story has an interesting take on modern day start-ups and the downsides to working as an intern in such places.”
- “The 3D corporate art style is also just not good to look at constantly.”
- “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.”
- “Unfortunately, the visuals aren’t the only aspect lacking.”
music
524 mentions
63 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Going Under" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, inventive soundtrack that complements the game's quirky aesthetic and engaging gameplay. Players frequently describe the music as "banging" and "earworm-y," noting that it enhances the overall experience and keeps them immersed in the game. While some find certain tracks generic, the majority agree that the soundtrack is a standout feature, making it memorable and enjoyable enough to listen to outside of gameplay.
- “The soundtrack is chock-full of bangers and you will catch yourself bobbing your head a lot!”
- “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.”
- “The moment to moment combat is exciting, the boss design is fantastic, and the soundtrack, wowie, it is the juiciest collection of absolute bangers.”
- “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 million times and it gets really annoying.”
- “The music gets worse everywhere, the levels look uglier, and even the title screen gets a downgrade.”
replayability
128 mentions
37 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting its roguelike elements, procedural generation, and various modes that encourage experimentation and exploration. However, some reviews note that while it offers enjoyable gameplay and a decent amount of replay value, it may not sustain long-term engagement due to its relatively short length and limited content after completing the main story. Overall, it strikes a balance between fun, replayable mechanics and a desire for more substantial content.
- “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!”
- “This isn’t the longest experience you can find on Switch – taking around 10 hours to fully complete including side tasks – but it provides an entertaining story, and one that’s filled with great combat and high replayability.”
- “If you're looking for a highly replayable game, you won't find it here though.”
- “The game is too short to recommend and lacks replayability compared to other dungeon crawler games.”
- “I enjoyed it, but for being roguelike, it lacks replayability.”
grinding
72 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages where progression slows significantly. While some enjoy the challenge and the opportunity to master the game, many feel that the gameplay loop lacks variety and can lead to burnout after extended play. Overall, the grind is seen as a double-edged sword, offering both a test of skill and a source of frustration due to its repetitiveness.
- “Going Under is fun to play, not tedious to 100%, 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.”
- “The dungeons are remixes of the first three, but boredom, tediousness, and a lack of NPC interaction makes the world feel utterly dead.”
- “It's probably a bit too easy to clear the main dungeons for the side objectives to make much sense - you end up grinding the same dungeons that aren't really posing a challenge just to get the small optional objectives for rewards you don't need.”
stability
42 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game exhibits a range of glitches and bugs, particularly in its "impostor mode," which can sometimes be game-breaking, such as issues with camera control and combat mechanics. While many players find these bugs to be minor and manageable, they detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings about stability. Despite these issues, the game remains enjoyable and charming, with many players willing to overlook the glitches for its unique gameplay.
- “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.”
- “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).”
- “Along the way are various bugs and glitches that can literally ruin a run (like ending a curse that focuses the game in first person, only to have the camera connect to beneath the stage and spin around nauseatingly).”
atmosphere
40 mentions
50 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a vibrant and satirical take on corporate culture, contrasting with the darker tones typical of many 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 ambiance contribute significantly to its charm and replayability.
- “This game has been on my radar since Iron Pineapple, the YouTuber, featured it in his series 'Steam Dumpster Diving.' Since seeing it, I've been infatuated with the satirical corporate aesthetic, and I just want to make it clear that the atmosphere, settings, and characters make for a very good piece of commentary.”
- “The atmosphere, visual effects, color choices, and animations perfectly capture the 2018-2022 'corporate art' style that's so easy to vilify.”
- “Whilst this game might not have the combat depth of 'Curse of the Dead Gods' or the production value of 'Hades,' this game makes up for it with its own sense of aesthetic style and corporate atmosphere, resulting in a game that is actually funny, relaxing to play, and also very wholesome.”
- “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.”
- “Fantastic writing; the satire of corporate practice, art style and general atmosphere feeds into making very punchable enemies.”
emotional
38 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
"Going Under" blends humor and emotional depth, offering a satirical take on the tech startup culture while delivering heartfelt moments that resonate with players, particularly those familiar with toxic work environments. The narrative is both funny and touching, with characters that evoke nostalgia and empathy, making it a unique experience that balances silliness with genuine emotional impact. Despite some initial emotional flatness, the game ultimately provides a satisfying and meaningful story arc that leaves a lasting impression.
- “In terms of narrative, this game is very sweet and funny; I've heard it hits home for a lot of people who have worked jobs like the one Jackie has (albeit with probably less dungeon-crawling) and I thought the overall message of the plot was really heartwarming.”
- “This game can be emotionally draining at times, but I think that makes its ultimate messages resonate more.”
- “The story has a few surprising twists and even manages to be sincerely emotionally touching.”
character development
24 mentions
67 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by its charming and endearing character designs, which effectively convey personality traits through visual storytelling and dialogue. Players appreciate the humor and creativity infused into the character interactions, enhancing the overall experience and replayability. While the gameplay may feel clunky at times, the strong character design and engaging side missions contribute positively to character growth and player investment.
- “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.”
- “The actual gameplay feels clunky and unfinished.”
- “The character design lacks depth and fails to evolve throughout the game.”
- “I found the character development to be shallow and unengaging.”
optimization
16 mentions
25 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with most players experiencing stable performance and minimal recurring bugs. However, some users report occasional lag and camera issues during gameplay, which can disrupt the experience. Despite these sporadic performance hiccups, the game is recognized for its impressive optimization and rewarding performance ranking system.
- “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
16 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 art style and themes resonate well with 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 aesthetic appeal 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.”
- “7) Advertising: one more thing, I guess.”