Skip to main content

UnderMine

Heigh ho! Heigh ho! To the UnderMine we go! With sharp pickaxe and scores of rats, heigh ho! Heigh ho!
UnderMine Game Cover
86%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, stability
91% User Score Based on 3,929 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 15 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchLinuxXbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassCloudMac OSPlaystation 4Xbox Cloud GamingSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
UnderMine Game Cover

About

UnderMine is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Thorium and was released on August 6, 2020. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

UnderMine is an action-adventure, roguelike with a few RPGish elements tossed in. (The good ones) Adventure deep into the UnderMine, discovering powerful relics, deadly enemies, and maybe a few friends to help along the way.

Skip User Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,929 reviews
gameplay229 positive mentions
grinding197 negative mentions

  • The game features a charming art style and engaging gameplay mechanics that keep players coming back for more.
  • The progression system allows for permanent upgrades, making each run feel rewarding and encouraging players to improve.
  • The curse and blessing mechanics add an interesting layer of strategy, allowing players to take risks for potential rewards.
  • The game can feel grindy, especially in the early stages, as players need to collect gold to upgrade their characters.
  • Some players find the combat mechanics clunky, particularly the jump mechanic, which can lead to frustrating deaths.
  • The enemy variety and item synergies are limited, leading to runs that can feel repetitive over time.
  • gameplay
    609 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Undermine" is characterized by a solid core loop that combines elements from classic roguelikes like "Binding of Isaac" and "Spelunky," offering a mix of simple mechanics that gradually evolve as players progress. While many players appreciate the addictive nature and variety of items and mechanics, some criticize the repetitiveness and certain frustrating mechanics, such as the jump mechanic and gold loss upon death, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game provides a fun and engaging experience, though it may not reach the heights of its genre peers in terms of innovation and depth.

    • “Fun gameplay loop, very satisfying combat and visuals.”
    • “The core gameplay loop in 'Undermine' is addictive and satisfying.”
    • “Gameplay is fun, lots of unique items and item combos that make each run interesting.”
    • “Some key enemies and mechanics are extremely unintuitive in how they act, and worse still, very few are just utterly unpredictable.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is just repetitive and tedious.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive and bland.”
  • graphics
    238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising the charming pixel art style and nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of classic titles like Zelda. While some find the visuals beautiful and well-polished, others describe them as generic or lacking distinctiveness. Overall, the art style is considered appealing and contributes to a fun and engaging gameplay experience, despite some critiques regarding repetitiveness and simplicity.

    • “The graphics are phenomenal for the style it goes for (classic 2D 16-bit dungeon crawler).”
    • “The pixel art graphics are just a work of beautiful, charming craftsmanship.”
    • “The art style is cute and light, but the systems in place for risky investments into your character are quite unbalanced.”
    • “The graphics are also rather ugly.”
    • “Extremely repetitive in terms of visuals.”
    • “Graphics are stock and bland, even for being 16-bit retro style.”
  • grinding
    200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding, often described as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the early stages and when upgrading gear. While some players appreciate the grind as a means of progression and find it enjoyable, many express frustration with the lack of variety and the steep difficulty curve that necessitates extensive grinding. Overall, the grinding aspect is a polarizing feature, appealing to those who enjoy it but potentially deterring others seeking a more dynamic gameplay experience.

    • “The progression isn't grindy either, which is a bonus.”
    • “Great game, progress is fun and not tedious, even though it's also challenging :)”
    • “I really want to give this game a good rating, yet I found it very repetitive and grindy without much progression in between.”
    • “My main problem is that the game feels pretty grindy and that the runs don't feel different enough.”
    • “The endless farming of perks just to build up enough strength for one's character is mind-numbingly more of an endurance contest than actual gameplay.”
  • story
    149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in the game is generally considered minimal and lacks depth, with many players noting that it serves primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some appreciate the humor and charm of the characters and quests, others find the narrative bland and unengaging, often comparing it unfavorably to more story-rich titles in the genre. Overall, the consensus is that while the story is light and not the main draw, it adds a bit of flavor to the experience without significantly enhancing the gameplay.

    • “While 'Undermine' isn't primarily a story-driven game, it manages to infuse its world with subtle lore and amusing character interactions.”
    • “I really did not expect much of a story, but as I played through the game I actually really enjoyed the characters that you begin to find throughout playing.”
    • “The story is charming, if not the most original in the bunch, and the gameplay is amazing.”
    • “The story is non-existent, dialogues are bland, the controls are clunky, and the feel of attacking isn't fun at all.”
    • “There's no story to speak of and the mechanics have simply been done better in other games, so there's little to keep me playing, and when there are so many other games, I'd rather go play one of them.”
    • “The downside is that there's basically no story at all and only six real bosses, one of whom is only worth doing a single time.”
  • replayability
    115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game exhibits a wide range of opinions on replayability, with many players praising its exceptional replay value due to diverse gameplay mechanics, numerous unlocks, and frequent updates. However, some users express concerns about limited content and grindiness, suggesting that replayability may diminish after completing the main objectives. Overall, while the game is generally regarded as highly replayable, there are calls for further enhancements to maintain long-term engagement.

    • “One of the standout features of 'Undermine' is its exceptional replayability.”
    • “This is a wonderful roguelike with tons of replayability; I paid $5 but it's worth full price ($20 at the time of the post).”
    • “The replayability is incredible; I can sit and play 10 runs in a day if I want without ever getting bored.”
    • “With the replayability being poor due to just a single weapon, no synergies, and useless items, the game just becomes a grind with absolutely no goal but to see what the next levels look like.”
    • “From limited replayability, limited relics (after a certain point- you only get bread that increases your max hp for the run by 1), limited bosses, limited mechanical depth- the game is only good for one power playthrough if that at best.”
    • “The game in its current state does not seem like it has much replayability once you 'finish' the content they have.”
  • music
    108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting the catchy soundtracks and satisfying sound effects. While some players find the music repetitive after extended play, the majority appreciate its fitting nature and immersive quality, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many expressing a desire to own it separately.

    • “The audio design complements the game perfectly, with a catchy soundtrack and satisfying sound effects that immerse you further into the experience.”
    • “The music is fantastic, the graphics are cute, and it doesn't leave you feeling like you've failed at life when you die.”
    • “The art is beautiful, immersive soundtrack and sound effects, and combat is a blast thanks to a large variety of enemy types from very early on in the game.”
    • “Music is boring.”
    • “Soundtrack is boring.”
    • “Again, at least for me, the music is not that good and it gets boring fast.”
  • humor
    75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its clever and lighthearted humor, effectively blending comedic elements with a cute storyline and engaging gameplay. Players enjoy the witty dialogue, funny character interactions, and humorous item descriptions, which contribute to a fun and entertaining experience. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the game, making it enjoyable and replayable.

    • “The game balances humor and a cute little storyline very well.”
    • “Funny easter eggs, interesting characters, a nice satire of classic high fantasy.”
    • “The dialogue is funny and adds to the overall feel of the game.”
    • “And other annoying things, but it's not funny at all once you progress in the game.”
  • stability
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some players reporting numerous glitches and bugs, such as loading issues and unexpected deaths, while others have experienced smooth gameplay with minimal problems. Many users acknowledge the presence of minor bugs, especially given the game's early access status, but some find the overall experience enjoyable and well-optimized. Developer responsiveness to reported issues is noted positively, suggesting ongoing improvements.

    • “A solid rogue-like pixel grinder, Undermine is often fun and pretty much bug-free for my complete playthrough of the game.”
    • “The overall quality is pretty good; it's not buggy and runs smoothly.”
    • “It's not too buggy; I've only found like 2 minor bugs that don't matter at all.”
    • “The game has plenty of glitches and bugs, such as failing to load things properly, getting killed by nothing, falling down holes despite standing firmly on the ground next to a hole, and some items not working properly, among many others.”
    • “I say broken, not in a buggy or poorly thought out way, but the systems just don't work in many situations.”
    • “Fun, but currently too buggy to recommend.”
  • optimization
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, others highlight significant issues, particularly during longer play sessions and on lower hardware. Some users express that improvements are needed, especially for specific gameplay elements, to elevate the experience further. Despite these concerns, many still find the game enjoyable and well-optimized compared to other titles.

    • “Performance and performance frame rate was exceptional.”
    • “Whole lot of fun, very well optimized.”
    • “The overall quality is pretty good, it's not buggy, runs smoothly.”
    • “This is one of the worst optimized games I've ever played.”
    • “But here's the problem, I've played $0.49 games that had better optimization, better combat, and a better story.”
    • “Only issue I have is the game seems to be having some stuttering issues and the longer you play, the worse it gets.”
  • atmosphere
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charm and immersive quality, drawing comparisons to titles like Hollow Knight and Hades. Players appreciate the attention to detail, polished art style, and engaging music, which create a captivating environment that enhances the overall experience. While the game may not offer unique mechanics, its light-hearted and addictive atmosphere stands out, making it a delightful roguelite experience.

    • “The atmosphere in the game is charming.”
    • “There's nothing really unique or innovative about this roguelite, but the atmosphere is great, game mechanics are fun, and the attention to detail is amazing for this price range.”
    • “Atmosphere: very polished, very immersive environment and story.”
    • “Here you have to pause and soak up the atmosphere before the sack of gold implodes and the player realizes that this is just a PC game.”
    • “Very light-hearted atmosphere in contrast to Isaac's more darker themes.”
  • character development
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is marked by a blend of unique mobs and engaging itemization choices, offering a replayable experience with significant variability. While the character design is quirky and visually appealing, some players feel that the lack of distinct gear appearances detracts from deeper character progression. Overall, the game excels in character aesthetics and mechanics, but may fall short in providing a more dynamic character development experience.

    • “The unique mobs, combined with interesting choices in itemization and character development, make for a very replayable experience.”
    • “If you are looking for an action rogue-like with meta progression, a plethora of interesting decisions to make (both real-time and turn-based), great variability in character development, and slow enough for middle-aged gamers to keep up, then I highly recommend this title.”
    • “Nothing too flashy here, but the character design is quirky and memorable.”
    • “NPC character development is lacking.”
    • “It just lacks in character development, especially because your gear always looks the same, which feels a bit lazy, despite gear level, relics you hold, etc.”
    • “Character development is minimal and doesn't evolve throughout the game.”
  • emotional
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its wholesome qualities despite frustrations with its difficulty. The heartfelt sentiment is evident as they grapple with their love for the game, even when it feels unfair, drawing parallels to other challenging titles that evoke similar feelings.

    • “Wholesome indie game!”
    • “Tldr: in its current state, I can't say I would recommend this game, which is very heartbreaking because despite what I've said, I absolutely love this game.”
    • “Although this game is heart-wrenchingly unfair—and I do not play bullet hells or such like this normally, I do love this game.”
  • monetization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is notably absent on Steam, as it lacks microtransactions, which may appeal to players seeking a grind-heavy experience without additional costs. However, the gameplay is described as tedious and frustrating, reminiscent of a free-to-play mobile game, leading to a sense of boredom despite the absence of monetization.

    • “If you're looking for a grindy mobile game with none of the microtransactions, but all of the boredom, this game will satisfy you.”
    • “A mobile free-to-play grindy chore, which for some reason appeared on Steam with monetization cut off.”
    • “If you're looking for a grindy-as-hell mobile game with none of the microtransactions, but all of the boredom, this game will satisfy you though.”
    • “Watching someone play this on YouTube, and remembering those bootleg ads you'd see for this game eventually convinced me to get it.”
Skip Critic Reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy UnderMine

14h Median play time
155h Average play time
7-45h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 43 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like UnderMine
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

UnderMine is a role playing game.

UnderMine is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac OS and others.

On average players spend around 155 hours playing UnderMine.

UnderMine was released on August 6, 2020.

UnderMine was developed by Thorium.

UnderMine has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

UnderMine is a single player game.

Similar games include Curse of the Dead Gods, Have a Nice Death, Caveblazers, Rogue Legacy 2, Ember Knights and others.