Developer Background
A Game About Digging A Hole was created as a passion project by a solo developer from Cyberwave, the studio behind the upcoming Solarpunk. Developed in just 14 days during the creator’s vacation, this small-scale experiment quickly turned into a viral sensation. Since its announcement, the game has captured the gaming community’s attention, amassing over 100,000 Steam wishlists in just five weeks and generating significant buzz across social media.
Gameplay & Design
In A Game About Digging A Hole, you do exactly what the title suggests—you dig. Armed with nothing but a shovel and your backyard, you start slowly, digging one shovel-full at a time. Along the way, you’ll uncover stones, which you can sell to replenish your energy. As you dig deeper, you’ll find more valuable materials like coal, iron, and copper, allowing you to upgrade your tools and sustain your excavation.
With the money earned from selling resources, you can improve your equipment, eventually upgrading your shovel into a drill. As your hole gets deeper, traversal becomes trickier, but you’ll unlock helpful tools like a jetpack to make climbing out easier. You can also expand your inventory and battery capacity, letting you dig for longer stretches without interruption.
Beyond the core digging loop, the game sprinkles in hidden treasures and abandoned mine shafts, offering small but satisfying rewards. While the gameplay remains simple, it’s surprisingly hard to put down—a cozy, almost meditative experience that can easily be played in one sitting.
After "completing" the game, an Achievement Mode unlocks, introducing new challenges that reward you with trophies to display on your shelf, giving players an extra incentive to keep digging.
Feedback
While A Game About Digging A Hole is an addictive and oddly satisfying experience, it does come with a few small frustrations. The way your character clips onto every tiny piece of dirt can be a bit maddening, especially if you’re trying to carve out the perfect hole. It’s the kind of thing that triggers a bit of OCD, making you want to smooth out every uneven edge, but the mechanics don’t always make that easy.
Additionally, while the progression feels rewarding, I found myself wishing for more upgrades. The drill and jetpack are great additions, but once you’ve maxed them out, there isn’t much else to strive for. A few extra tools or deeper progression mechanics could add even more longevity to the experience. That said, the game’s simplicity is part of its charm, so it’s a minor gripe in an otherwise enjoyable dig-fest.
Verdict
A Game About Digging A Hole is a simple yet surprisingly addictive experience that embraces its minimalistic charm. Developed in just 14 days as a side project, it has captivated players with its satisfying digging mechanics and rewarding progression. While the game could benefit from more upgrades and smoother terrain interaction, its cozy, one-sitting appeal makes it hard to put down. A viral sensation for a reason—sometimes, all you need is a shovel and a deep hole.
A Game About Digging A Hole is available February 7th on PC via Steam for $4.99!
