Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 82 | 14 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 94% | 88 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 83 | 7 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 98% | 93 | 19 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 54 reviews sampled · 19 total reviews in window · weighted 21.8 up / 0.5 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (65)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
- 80
“SteamWorld Dig can proudly sit amongst those top-tier eShop titles that can describe themselves as a 'must-play'. There is a small desert's worth of charm packed into this game, with a beautifully high level of polish and sheen just oozing from its very core.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Ultimately, even getting on in years a bit, Steamworld Dig still works very well and is almost immediately as addictive as it ever was once you get the ball rolling. The “just one more run” feeling doesn’t have quite as strong a drive as with its sequel, where there are far more things you’re hoping to unlock, but it is still a highly satisfying experience that is well-implemented. Ultimately priced as a budget title it offers a great time for a reasonable investment.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“SteamWorld Dig holds up tremendously well considering it originated on 3DS back in 2013. All these years later, despite its sequel surpassing it, this original has so much to offer that it should not be overlooked. If having never tried it before, Nintendo Switch fans owe it themselves to dig deep, unearth their hard-earned coin, explore Image & Form's treasure, and definitely make this gem of a game their own.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While it will only take you a few hours to beat SteamWorld Dig, it's a game that makes every moment count. There is no filler, only excellent content to be experienced. Whether it is a player's first or sixth time playing through SteamWorld Dig, they are in for an absolute treat. This is one platform game that should not be missed.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“For a game about dandy robot businessmen trying to fleece a robo-miner of his hard-earned gains, it's surprisingly charismatic. A laid-back Dig Dug with a gentle scattering of Metroid.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“With its catchy Wild West soundtrack and rustic good looks, SteamWorld Dig saunters onto PlayStation platforms with confidence. Its aesthetics will charm you, but it's the game's tight platforming and addictive sense of progression that allow it to mine its way into your heart. While we wish that Rusty's expedition lasted a little longer and didn't require quite as much backtracking, there are still plenty of reasons to sink your pickaxe into this little gem.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“SteamWorld Dig is a highly recommended game for those who enjoy platformers with an interesting and unique experience.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“[T]his is an ideal game for this platform, and great to just pick up and play at any time.”
read full review ↗ - 91
“SteamWorld Dig sets out to be a safe but amazingly polished gem, and SteamWorld Dig is exactly that, no more, no less.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Despite its brevity, SteamWorld Dig: A Fistful of Dirt is an enjoyable title. The premise may initially seem too simple, but the constant feed of tools and power-ups, coupled with speedy platforming, prevent the player from becoming bored. The mix of exploration and combat is blended well to the point where new additions don't feel out of place, and the only lament is how there's not much else to the game once you've finished it.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you SteamWorld Dig: Your new favourite Nintendo 3DS game.”
read full review ↗
Fintendo
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Pure Xbox
PC Invasion
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Nintendojo
Worth Playing…and 53 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Version 1.10 is now live!Feb 24, 2014
- Version 1.10 is now live!Feb 24, 2014
- Version 1.10 is live!Feb 24, 2014
- Version 1.08 - Russian translationDec 20, 2013
- Version 1.08 - Russian translationDec 20, 2013
- Version 1.07 liveDec 18, 2013
- Version 1.07 liveDec 18, 2013
- Version 1.03 out now!Dec 5, 2013
- Version 1.03 out now!Dec 5, 2013