It Lurks Below

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 925 reviews
  • gameplay
  • grinding
  • graphics
It Lurks Below Game Cover
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"It Lurks Below" is a 2D retro-style, sandbox, action-oriented dungeon crawler with heavy focus on survival elements. Play as one of several classes, delve into ever-changing dungeons, and battle a variety of monsters to survive. Gather resources, craft items, and make permanent upgrades to your character in this unforgiving, procedurally generated world.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 925 reviews
gameplay49 positive mentions
grinding124 negative mentions
  • The game combines elements of Diablo and Terraria, offering a unique gameplay experience.
  • The developer, David Brevik, is very active in the community and regularly updates the game based on player feedback.
  • The variety of classes and the loot system provide a satisfying progression and customization experience.
  • The survival mechanics can be tedious, with players often struggling to manage hunger and fatigue.
  • Inventory management is cumbersome, with limited space leading to frustration when trying to keep useful items.
  • The game can feel repetitive, with similar enemy types and dungeon layouts, leading to a lack of excitement over time.
  • gameplay202 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both addictive and repetitive. While the core loop of combat, looting, and base management is engaging, the survival mechanics—such as hunger and fatigue—are often viewed as tedious and detracting from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game offers a solid blend of action RPG elements and sandbox mechanics, appealing to fans of both genres, though some players feel it lacks depth and polish compared to its inspirations.

    • “Challenging but fair gameplay.”
    • “Absolutely addictive gameplay.”
    • “The core gameplay loop (slaughter monsters, gather loot, return to base, gather/plant crops, sort loot, repeat) is quite fun and each layer of the dungeon is short enough that I never really got bored.”
    • “It felt like it was tacked on just to make the game 'survival,' but in no way does it actually complement gameplay.”
    • “The survival mechanics are frustrating (the way seeds are done specifically) but I feel I need to play with them just because the rest of the game is so simplistic.”
    • “The survival mechanic seems more of an annoyance than an addition to the game.”
  • grinding127 mentions

    Grinding in the game is often described as tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the constant need to manage hunger and engage in resource gathering, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the depth of character progression and loot farming, the overwhelming amount of grinding required to advance through the game can lead to feelings of emptiness and burnout. However, certain game modes allow players to bypass these grind-heavy mechanics, offering a more streamlined experience for those who prefer to focus on combat and exploration.

    • “The systems are simple to use, but deep; the survival is challenging but not tedious.”
    • “It isn't tedious and boring like Minecraft was.”
    • “This ruins it for me, the crops are one thing but having to deal with the commander constantly, and I do mean every couple of days, is tedious and unfun.”
    • “In the end, the game feels a bit empty as you end up spending most of your time grinding and re-beating the same (very short) game at three different difficulty levels while every difficulty level is itself split into five almost identical parts, leading to a repetitive experience.”
    • “The fact that I put 110 hours into the game might contradict my review, but most of that time was spent getting tired of grinding while trying to beat the final difficulty on hardcore mode.”
  • graphics72 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as simple and reminiscent of retro pixel art, which some players appreciate for its charm, while others find it lacking in detail and variety. Many reviews note that the visuals can feel like placeholders, with repetitive artwork for weapons and a need for more aesthetic diversity. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they are considered serviceable for the gameplay experience, appealing to fans of the genre despite some criticisms regarding their execution.

    • “The graphics are great for this 2D retro side scroller.”
    • “Love the dark aesthetic, variety of enemies, the graphics are quite cool.”
    • “The pixel artwork is simple, and very easy on the eyes for a retro fan like me.”
    • “The graphics are kind of bad.”
    • “Gritty, boring, and dull, the dark toneless graphics are not even on par with that of Starbound.”
    • “The music and the visuals need some serious work.”
  • music63 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it either bland or repetitive, often noting the lack of variety and energy in the soundtrack. While some appreciate the atmospheric qualities and relaxing tones, others criticize it for being out of place or insufficiently engaging, particularly during combat. Overall, there is a strong desire for more diverse and impactful music to enhance the gaming experience.

    • “The music is on point, it's so damn relaxing.”
    • “Good immersive music, colorful pixels, and overall smooth flow of gameplay.”
    • “The music is a particular high note - a relaxing and chill score, which pairs perfectly as you build your base and farm.”
    • “Secondly, the music is pathetically weak and low energy.”
    • “For the first few hours in the earliest section, the music is one track and it is scored by someone who keeps falling asleep and hitting the same two keys on the piano every few seconds.”
    • “Worst of all, the one background music track that plays is a piano that seems to play the same batch of notes over and over, and given the game's aesthetic, it makes me wonder why the music isn't dark and brooding like Diablo.”
  • story59 mentions

    The game's story is generally considered lackluster, with many reviewers noting a minimal narrative and character development. However, the quest system provides structure and guidance, helping players navigate the game and offering objectives that enhance the gameplay experience. While the story is described as incomplete, it serves as a framework for exploration and progression, with ongoing improvements and community feedback aimed at enriching the narrative elements.

    • “He still works adamantly on this game to improve and add upon its story and mechanics, taking plenty of community feedback along the way.”
    • “Compelling storyline.”
    • “I felt the story aspect of the game was a bit lackluster, and the class identity was lacking a bit too.”
    • “For story and world, there's nothing here.”
    • “It gives you objectives, quests, and goals to ensure that you stay on track and guides you into a compelling yet unfortunately incomplete story.”
  • replayability25 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players highlighting its engaging gameplay, diverse classes, and a robust loot system reminiscent of Diablo. Multiple game modes, including creative and hardcore options, further enhance its replay value, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking long-term enjoyment. Overall, the combination of frequent updates and community engagement suggests that players can expect continued replayability as new content is introduced.

    • “Very engaging gameplay, an incredible loot system, and a lot of replayability with the great difference between classes.”
    • “Another positive thing to note about the game is that it has tremendous replay value.”
    • “Not only do you get a ton of loot to find but you get different classes to try out, which just adds to the replayability.”
    • “Not sure how much replayability there is, but for a single pass through a difficulty, it was loads of fun!”
    • “Not only do you get a ton of loot to find, but you get different classes to try out, which just adds to the replayability.”
    • “Mr. David Brevik has truly created a simplistic looking game (which I love the pixel art style!) but already has packed in tons of RPG elements which will warrant hundreds if not thousands of hours of replayability.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, brooding quality complemented by a varied musical score that ranges from gloomy sketches to neo-classical pieces. Many players appreciate the nostalgic nod to classic titles like Diablo, enhanced by charming pixelated art and immersive effects. However, some users feel that while the atmosphere is engaging, it may not be consistently strong throughout the gameplay experience.

    • “What's also amazing is the atmosphere, because David was really able to capture the classic Diablo atmosphere. The pixelated art style is also great; I love the 3D-ish effects it has, which is quite charming.”
    • “It Lurks Below keeps my attention better and I really like the atmosphere.”
    • “I can deal with the gameplay; it keeps you interested, but the atmosphere is lacking.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and brooding, but doesn't take itself too seriously.”
  • stability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on older hardware, players have reported significant issues such as freezing during gameplay and buggy jumping mechanics. Troubleshooting steps have been necessary for some users to resolve these problems, indicating a need for further updates to improve stability.

    • “Runs great on old hardware.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which is impressive for a game of this scale.”
    • “The jumping system is buggy at times, and it's easy to not be able to get even the first jump off at all.”
    • “Amazing game, one problem: I played for 6 hours and quit. When I came back 2-3 hours later and entered the game, I pressed play and the app froze. I waited 10-15 minutes, still frozen, while all other buttons worked on the start menu. I would like either advice on how to fix it or an update to stop this from happening, please.”
    • “Went through the song and dance of reinstalling on a different drive, allowing file exceptions, and finally got it to work after some troubleshooting.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while it offers engaging gameplay that can be enjoyed in short sessions, some players report that it requires low visual settings for acceptable performance. Recent updates have improved performance, but issues persist for those seeking higher graphical fidelity.

    • “Great game that isn't high-performance required and draws you in for hours and hours - but you can even play for a few moments and pause the game, picking back up when you can play again.”
    • “So, as for the Badlands update; new and powerful boss, new and challenging minions, excellent new gear to forge and find, new type of currency, new enchantment table for gear optimization, fresh set of scrolls and mushrooms all with unique buffs, the now playable ogre race with its own unique strengths/weaknesses, and there is still more updates to come.”
    • “Since the last update, great performance, absolutely playable.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized and is playable only if many visual settings are turned off or turned down to their minimum settings.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game incorporates humor in a unique way, often poking fun at its own genre classification and delivering unexpected comedic moments, especially during challenging gameplay scenarios. Players find amusement in the game's ability to catch them off guard, leading to humorous situations that require strategic planning for recovery. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the experience, enhancing its appeal.

    • “The game tries to be funny at some points, and it really works for me.”
    • “It's just a totally different animal altogether, and it shouldn't even be compared or categorized as an ARPG, which is amusingly hilarious.”
    • “Once you have some good gear and think you're pretty tough, the game has a funny way of killing you if you're not paying attention, leading to a strategic corpse run, or many runs depending on the situation you got yourself into.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally enjoyable and reminiscent of action RPGs, but some players express frustration over the potential for their progress to be unexpectedly invalidated, leading to concerns about the time investment.

    • “The character development can be pretty fun.”
    • “It's not worth putting hours into a game that will randomly invalidate your character development.”
    • “The game is very reminiscent of ARPGs in terms of items and character development.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    While initial concerns about greedy monetization practices and potential cash grabs are prevalent, the reviewer ultimately finds that the game does not fall into this category, indicating a more genuine experience after investing significant playtime.

    • “I've been so bored and disappointed with games over the last few years, especially now with all this greedy monetization that I've kept a bit of distance.”
    • “I'm afraid that this is a cash grab more than a legitimate game where the developers leverage a new and interesting genre and slap 'Diablo' on it.”
    • “After putting in 20 hours so far, I can definitively say this isn't one of those cash grabs.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting their affection for its creators, particularly David Brevik and his wife, which adds a personal touch to the experience. However, frustrations arise when technical issues, such as save file upgrades, disrupt their ability to engage with the game.

    • “<3 David Brevik, and I love that this is basically just him (and his wife, which is also wholesome) working on it.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy It Lurks Below

Play time

24hMedian play time
145hAverage play time
10-138hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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