Shovel Knight Dig Review (Steam)

by Jim Smale · September 26, 2022

For this Shovel Knight Dig Review, we take on Shovel Knight’s newest adventure chock-full of fun gameplay and signature humor. There are thousands of pixel-perfect level chunks, which are procedurally stitched together to create infinite adventurous combinations. Each trip down the well will bring you closer to discovering the secrets lying at the bottom.

Shovel Knight Dig Review Pros:

Beautiful pixel art graphics.
403.1MB download size.
Steam achievements.
Own in-game achievements called feats.
Full controller support.
Accessibility options include screenshake, extra health, food chance, gems chance, attack damage, and game speed.
Graphics settings – resolution, v-sync, screen scale, fullscreen, and fullscreen monitor.
Can rebind controls for both keyboard and controller buttons.
Action gameplay.
It plays a lot like Mr. Driller, you go down the screen avoiding obstacles, collecting gems, etc.
Classic enemies and combat is mixed into the formula.
Compendium fills in as you play.
Runs are broken up into levels and you progress through the chain of stories in a set location.
Every run is randomized.
The way its structured in its layout means there are multiple routes and secrets.
Gems are the currency for the shop.
End of run breakdown.
Highly addictive.
Online leaderboards for overall progress with weekly and daily run variations.
Relic keys can be found/bought and open up a new random relic that can appear in future runs.
The surface has the main shop but small ones can appear in runs.
Health is handled by three hearts.
Quick restart menu option.
Cogs can be collected and cashed in for a choice of two bonuses during the levels.
Forks in the road allow you to choose your route.
Bite-sized gaming.
You lose a percentage of your gems upon death.
Earn the right to buy shortcuts to new locations.

Shovel Knight Dig Review Cons:

The mouse cursor stays on the screen when using the controller.
Takes some getting used to, especially the blending of combat and exploration.
Can attack every direction but up.
The tutorial is very basic.
Never really sure what the bonuses are before selecting them.
It does take time to show its potential.
Occasionally the game won’t recognize the controller upon boot up.

Related Post: Splatoon 3 Review (Nintendo Switch OLED)

Shovel Knight Dig:

Official website.

Developer: Yacht Club Games

Publisher: Yacht Club Games

Store Links –

Steam

8/10

Graphics - 8/10
7/10

Sound - 7/10
8/10

Accessibility - 8/10
8/10

Length - 8/10
8/10

Fun Factor - 8/10

7.8/10

Summary

Yacht Club Games have again taken a beloved character and put him in a new genre! I liken Dig to Mr. Driller as you make your way down the cave picking up gems and killing enemies in your typical Shovel Knight way. I mean it is Mr. Driller but with a hefty dose of Shovel Knight goodness for it’s a roguelike, its addiction on a whole new level, and every run is randomized and so radically different that it doesn’t matter that you keep restarting. The charm and playability you expect of the series are intact. If not tighter than ever, anyone can quickly jump in and pick up the game and become ridiculously addictive. What I love is no matter how bad I play or how bad a run can be, I always make progress in some way. As I beat bosses I would then work on building up gems so I can buy shortcuts and new upgrades, Shovel Knight Dig is and will be one of the games gamers keep coming back to time after time.