Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor – (Early Access) Game Review

Deep Rock Galactic exploded onto our PCs and consoles in BLANK and proceed to mine out a space in our hearts. As people quickly fell in love with the simple but addictive gameplay loop. Taking mining and adding a true survival element to it you feel claustrophobic as you mine your resources, whilst fending off the swarms of alien bugs. The game was received so positively that a spin off was put into production. Titled Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, it would be reimagined as a bullet hell/survivors like game to give the core recipe a new format. And by God it’s entertaining. Fend off waves of bugs whilst you complete your objectives and only then do you wait for your drop pod, making a hasty retreat. Let’s take a look at Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor…

Details of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor early access review: pick of the bunch | Rock  Paper Shotgun
Image Source: Rock Paper Shotgun

Developer: Funday Games

Publisher: Ghost Ship Publishing   

Platform: PC (Steam) Windows

Release Date: 14th February 2024 (Early Access)

Price: £9.99

Story of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor

The lore established in Deep Rock Galactic carries over into Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor. Players can expect to see the same classes, minerals and ores, enemies, and weapons. It really is a familiar experience in a different format. Having pivoted to the roguelike genre. A move that has greatly benefited the world of Deep Rock Galactic.

Analysis of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor

Gameplay

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is a Fantastic Game! — GeekTyrant
Image Source: GeekTyrant

Overall there are four maps which each contain several difficulties. Each of which have their own unlock criteria and objectives. One of which will always be “complete the dive.” The game’s core gameplay loop is to start a dive then make it through every floor until you reach the boss. Having defeated the boss a dropship lands to take you back to HQ. This simple yet addictive gameplay loop will have you coming back daily. It is the perfect game to play for an hour or two a day. Or possibly longer if you don’t have the mental strength to pull yourself away from it! I know I didn’t.

Price

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor beginner tips and tricks before starting -  Polygon
Image Source: Polygon

At nearly £10 it is one of the more expensive bullet hell roguelikes to hit the steam market recently. Being nearly 250% of Vampire Survivors poverty friendly price. The quality of the animations, graphics, and weapon effects show perfectly what the extra money is going on. And well it’s quiet frankly worth it. The game is perfectly put together and I have had no issues whatsoever whilst playing. I guess Dwarven ingenuity applies to games about Dwarves as well.

Performance on the Steam Deck

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Starter Guide | The Nerd Stash
Image Source: The Nerd Stash

It runs excellent on the mobile Steam Deck. Although it does drain the battery surprisingly fast for what the game is. Having it give you around 2 and a half hours on default settings. The colors pop on the Steam Deck’s display however and is truly worth the smaller playtime. Waves also provide a perfect break for stop and start mobile gaming. Making the game amazing for on the go. You never need a dropship to go mining when you have your Steam Deck!

Summary of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is a great auto-shooter spinoff - Polygon
Image Source: Polygon

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor takes the established lore of the original game and exports it into a different game style. That’s it, it really is that simple. But it plays so well! It has no right being as enthralling as it is. At its core it’s just a simple game, one with a basic gameplay loop. Yet the core gameplay loop of the original game lends itself perfectly to the genre, making a really addictive experience. Blending some of the best features from Minecraft and Vampire Survivors together into something that truly is a great game in the making.

Overall Rating: 8.5 – Excellent!

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