Official Score
Overall - 55%
55%
Space Digger turns the Asteroids concept on its head, but some of the changes made are questionable. It’s not a bad game, but it changes the formula in a way some might not agree with.
The vast reaches of space can be a crowded place, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. Philllchabbb and Lystek’s new title Space Digger lets people blow crap away with mines – should you get to exploding the outer reaches of the galaxy?
Space Digger Review
Most players are used to blasting their way to victory, but Space Digger does things a little differently. The key to victory isn’t to fire at will, but rather to leave a number of mines to clear a path. A number of blue and orange asteroids are hurtling toward the player at any given moment, and these little mines are the only way players can survive the endless onslaught.
It’s an interesting concept, but it often feels like it’s not doing enough. Despite the fact that players can lay down multiple mines at any given moment, there are times where there is a wall of meteors coming toward the player. The timing of their detonation can be hard to figure out as well, making the best laid out plans feel haphazard. This is one title that moves at a fast clip, as there is a lot to keep track of in just a single screen.
Simply running into one of these rocky threats isn’t enough to ruin your run, but it will take away a good chunk of time. The entirety of Space Digger lives and dies by its clock – it is always ticking, and the game is over when the clock runs out. There is a chance to get additional time by collecting power-ups in the asteroid field, but it is ultimately a losing battle. The ultimate goal of this title isn’t to get to the end of a level, but to stick around as long as possible.
This mechanic proves to be a double edged sword. While it is a refreshing take on the arcade genre, it also makes each playthrough a bit on the short side. Most rounds we played clocked in at a few minutes, which just doesn’t give it the staying power of similar titles like Asteroids. While the overall tally of asteroids destroyed serves as an incentive to do your best, it often feels like a losing battle when all is said and done.
However, there is a way to make Space Digger easier, and that is through the use of power-ups. By collecting funds in its main mode, players can purchase items that bring in extra coins, net players extra time, add a magnetic pull to nearby coins, and shorten the cooldown time between mines placed. It makes the game somewhat uneven, as most upgrades are potent and have multiple levels. However, this admittedly does provide some replayability to its proceedings, however short lived it may be.
Rounding things out is a fairly basic presentation that is nothing to write home about. All rocks are low poly, but everything has a nice, clean look to it. Don’t expect much variety in either the stages or the music – most players will be well acquainted with what this game has to offer after a few rounds.
Space Digger turns the Asteroids concept on its head, but some of the changes made are questionable. It’s not a bad game, but it changes the formula in a way some might not agree with.
