I’ve often said that video game titles can be quite perplexing. Take Horizon: Zero Dawn, for instance. What does that even convey? And aren’t Dead Space and Killzone basically the same name with a different graphic design? In my opinion, games should bear titles that straightforwardly reflect what they’re about. Something like A Game About Digging A Hole would be refreshingly honest.
This game doesn’t beat around the bush: You’ve got a shovel, and your mission is to dig a really big hole. It starts modestly, but as you dig deeper, more and more secrets, or rather different types of rocks, come to light. Before you know it, your backpack is brimming with them, and you find yourself making frequent trips back to sell your rocky findings online. Who’s buying them? It doesn’t say, and being true to the spirit of the game’s name, that part’s left unexplored.
Every cent I earned was reinvested into my hole-digging endeavors. There are electric shovels, larger batteries, more expansive backpacks, and even a jetpack to consider—all of which make digging more efficient. Trust me, you’ll need these upgrades because making a massive hole is no small feat. Descending back down to 50 meters can be a bit of a hassle, but fear not, healthcare in this fantasy realm is surprisingly affordable, only costing a few rocks when you accidentally hurt yourself.
Where A Game About Digging A Hole could improve would be with the sound effects when digging. You know that satisfying crunch you get in Minecraft? This game doesn’t quite nail that. The drill you get later? It sounds eerily similar to a vacuum. Although this is a minor setback, the game redeems itself by letting you step out of your hole frequently. Watching your enormous project grow is truly rewarding. Sometimes, I’d just stand at the top and take in the scene, appreciating each little turn I’d made to set a lamp or uncover a hidden gem. This isn’t just a hole; it’s a story.
After dedicating a few hours to this, you essentially become a maestro of holes. With dirt as your canvas and your hole your masterpiece, you’ll find yourself affluent in rocks, decked out with gear, and without fear of loss. The game only harbors one true secret, lying at the bottom of your excavated creation. You’ll know when you find it; the ground will transition into a tunnel, introducing a previously unknown challenge. It isn’t a walk in the park, but then again, neither was digging that cavernous pit. You started with a simple scoop, crafting an empire out of a hole. At this point, nothing can halt your progress.
A Game About Digging A Hole premiered on Steam on February 7th. This review was based on a Windows PC version provided as a pre-release download code courtesy of Cyberwave Games. While Vox Media has affiliate partnerships and may earn commissions through some links, this does not affect the editorial content. For more details on Polygon’s editorial standards, check out their ethics policy.
