Ground Divers! Critic Reviews

If replaying stages doesn’t sound fun, then I would likely say skip Ground Divers! because there are only seven stages and that does seem a bit small. I personally think Ground Divers! would work better as a mobile game where pins are put down via the touch screen and other actions can be done via on screen buttons because while intense, most levels are done fairly quickly because of the built in time limit the enemies place on the player. It’s fun. I will pick it up again from time to time and for the price point I think it’s priced perfectly but I can definitely understand if a strategy game about gently guiding a robot to where he needs to be underground isn’t everyone’s interest. I think it successfully pulls off what it sets out to do.

Guiding a robot as it tunnels underground makes for one enjoyable gameplay formula that'll keep you hooked once you learn the ropes.

The stellar character designs, wholesome cast, and home base divergences add some well-appreciated flavor. Admittedly, I did find myself growing somewhat bored at points because of the short and repetitious gameplay loop. Still, it gets the job done, managing to be an ideal game for those yearning for a not overly committal experience.

Generally, it is easy to dig into Ground Divers. Yes, it gets very difficult very quickly. Sweltering Sand Wasteland is a wake-up call after Secret Bamboo Springs. However, the game is manageable if you pay attention and wisely direct Tsuruhashi. There’s a charm to it. Not to mention the different difficulty levels and additional challenges for each region offer a reason to go back and get the three stars to fully “complete” them.

Ground Divers’ cute looks hide a game with surprising depth. While there aren’t very many stages, they quickly start to require a great deal of strategy and planning which can be a lot of fun. It isn’t a must-play, but those looking for a charming puzzle game where resource management is key, and they’ll need to use their heads should give Ground Divers a look.

Ground Divers is a decent mining game, with cute characters and fun dialogue punctuating an engaging, if brief, series of missions exploring the subterranean levels of an interesting alien planet.

Ground Divers! is an interesting specimen, albeit one that looks much better than it ends up playing. On one hand, being a spectator and plotting out mining paths may be an adult’s dream of a nuanced Dig Dug. On the other hand, the grindiness of replaying levels and creating gacha-esque weapons with random perks can detract from a strategic experience. The world of Ground Divers! is a charming (but desolate) one, sure, but I want so much more from this game. Should you take the plunge and try your hand at Ground Divers!, I recommend playing in short bursts to avoid burning out on the grind.