Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Preview (Steam Early Access)

by Jim Smale · Published February 27, 2024 · Updated February 27, 2024

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Preview, a single-player survivor-like auto-shooter. Wield the full arsenal of Deep Rock Galactic, take on hordes of lethal aliens, mine riches, and unlock powerful upgrades. It’s one dwarf against all of Planet Hoxxes!

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Preview Pros:

Decent graphics.
1.95GB Download size.
Steam achievements.
Full controller support.
Graphics settings – display, display mode, resolution, anti-aliasing, v-sync, max frame rate, gamma, and render scale slider.
Milestones act like the game’s own in-game achievements and give rewards. (you can see the reward beforehand)
Four Dwarf types with the scout the only one unlocked initially.
The game plays like a Vampire Saviours wherein you don’t control what and when you shoot your weapons, hitting a loot bug and mining happens automatically when you come into contact with them.
Each location in an area has five levels where getting into the pod takes you to the next level.
Each level has a bar and as you kill bugs it fills up and triggers events such as the elite bugs (needed to end the level and trigger the pod), events such as swarms and helpful pod drops with a level-up item in it.
Earn exp by picking up the fragments that drop from enemies and level up.
Each time you level up you get to choose one of three random upgrades (optional re-roll paying with collected gold)
Selecting the same gun in a level up levels guns level up and as you upgrade the gun the better it gets but also eventually you unlock the ability to add modifiers and perks to the weapon.
You have two weapons and a grenade type for a base load out.
Plays on an isometric view.
Very impressive stressful enemy count on screen.
Feels very polished, especially for performance.
The game is highly addictive as finishing and starting runs very quickly.
You keep collected gems/ore and it’s used as currency to buy permanent state upgrades.
Unlock new weapons and items to have them possibly appear in future runs.
The final level of a location is a huge boss encounter.
When the pod is triggered (after you kill the elite/boss) you have 30 seconds to get in it or you are left behind.
Every character you unlock plays completely differently.
Mining helps you create your routes, tactics, and strangle points in a level.
You get random optional side missions for extra rewards.
In between location areas, you can spend red crystals and gold on upgrades in the shop.
Red candy heals you when collected.
You can see the ores and minerals clearly before mining them.
You have a mini-map that fills in as you play.
The game allows you to play how you want, for example, you could go in and just focus on leveling up a particular gun to unlock perks and buffs to it for later runs.
Artifacts are given from the supply pod that drops and are bigger item buffs like a chance to find gold when mining or knock enemies back etc.
Loot bugs can be mined for loot.
Has satisfying noises and sounds.
Three unique locations to unlock each with a handful of areas and stages.
Enviromental hazards.
Clear easy-to-read user interface and Hud.
You can pause the game.
The controls could not be simpler.
All level perks have a rarity level and show what they do.
When the boss or elite is spawned the bugs grow in strength and numbers as you let time pass.
You have a voice-over guy who helps but also gets progressively annoyed when you take too long.
Your character will do shout-outs randomly.
Every run is random.
Elemental attacks can be equipped, usually from mods on weapons and grenades you can do such elements as kinetic and lightning.
Any bug with a health bar above its head drops more eco fragments.
Different bug types like spitters, flying and even exploding ones.
You are always making progress whether it be collecting X amount of minerals levelling up a gun to 12 to enable mods in the future or just getting gold and valuable Intel.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Preview Cons:

No tutorials.
You cannot change any controller settings.
Slow starter as the default class and weapons/upgrades are not ideal and it keeps the slow pace.
No camera control which sometimes can get annoying.
A slight crack between two areas makes it unpassable despite clearly looking fine.
Very addictive and can cause a loss of productivity in other tasks in life and render you a roguelike zombie.
Only a small pool of enemy types until the later locations.
You get the same two or three bonus materials.
Doesnt have a hub area which is very poignant in the original game.
Trying to remember which material is for which upgrade.
All the locations are unlocked and their requirements are not clear.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor:

Developer: Funday Games

Publisher: Ghost Ship Games

Store Links –

Steam Early Access