Overview
What is Deep Rock Galactic?
Deep Rock Galactic is a four-player co-op survival FPS developed by Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Players will take control of dwarven space miners to explore procedurally generated cave systems to fulfill missions and fight against swarms of alien bugs. The game also features seasonal content updates, such as Battle Passes and cosmetics, which remain available after the season ends.
Deep Rock Galactic features:
⚫︎ Four Player Co-op Survival FPS
⚫︎ Four Playable Classes
⚫︎ Procedurally Generated Cave Systems
⚫︎ Resource Gathering and Mining
⚫︎ Variety of Alien Bugs
⚫︎ Deep Build Customization
| Digital Storefronts | ||
|---|---|---|
 Steam |
 Playstation |
 Xbox |
| $29.99 | ||
Deep Rock Galactic Review: Worth the Overtime
Better Late Than Never
Ah, Deep Rock Galactic.
A game that I can always count on to be a bloody good time if I just want to play something with a few friends. It’s always been one of my reliable go-tos, especially when I’m looking to scratch that co-op shooter itch or just a simple yearning for the mines.
It’s been six years since the game’s release, and while I’ve been on and off with its updates, it has never failed to impress with how different it is compared to every co-op game there is out there. Till now, it’s easily one of the games that comes to mind when it comes to that particular genre. Even with games like Left 4 Dead 2, Warhammer: Vermintide 2, and, more recently, Helldivers 2, it’s still a game that stands as a unique alternative to horde shooters.
With the release of its highly anticipated new season, Relics of Hoxxes, it seems like the perfect time to revisit and give this game a proper go. After all, it’s better that you’re late to work than never show up, right?
Corporate-Approved Worldbuilding
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to have a contractual job under corporate management, then look no further. Deep Rock Galactic is exactly that. You play as a Dwarf Miner, employed under Deep Rock Galactic, tasked with mining valuable minerals and fighting against the Glyphid infestation on the dangerous planet of Hoxxes IV. You work day in, day out, taking different missions and assignments to make a living. There’s not much else to it than that, really.
Or is it?
There are a lot of questions that don’t really have answers when it comes to the game’s lore. Like, why do they need all these materials? Given how dangerous the planet is, how come other corporations are looking to mine said materials as well? What caused the Glyphid infestation? And, most importantly, who is Karl?
Sadly, there aren’t any definite answers to these questions. However, the game does make an effort for you to infer these things based on the flavor text, descriptions, and dialogue that you come across.
For instance, Karl may be Deep Rock Galactic’s first-ever employed miner, or maybe he’s the one who discovered how valuable Hoxxes IV really is. It’s never really explained, but given how the dwarves idolize him so much, we can probably assume that he’s just that guy.
It’s honestly a great way of building its world. It’s also one of the main reasons fans love the game so much: the use of environmental storytelling and context, and how both deepen its "lore." It gives players something to believe in, with the enthusiastic "Rock and Stone!" chanting and all that, even if it’s really just a mining-and-shooting game at the end of the day.
Mining Has Never Been More Engaging
Speaking of mining and shooting, the core gameplay of Deep Rock Galactic is built on the foundation of those two things. You mine resources and minerals in procedurally generated cave systems to use for supplies or fulfill the quota of the mission, and shoot anything that isn’t a dwarf.
Simple, right?
For a more apt and recent comparison, it’s like Helldivers 2, in a way, especially since you’re also fighting swarms of bugs in that game as well. But it places greater emphasis on resource gathering and exploration. But what makes it better than your average co-op shooter? It’s the huge variety, customization, and generally just how it plays.
Each class has three sets of primary and secondary weapons, its own unique mobility tool, and a role-specific gadget that showcases its specialty. It’s here that you discover just how different and how their kits complement each other, and just how much variety there is to the game.
It’s not uncommon to see a co-op shooter have different playable classes, but most of the time, they’re only unique in their weapons. In the case of Deep Rock Galactic, it’s the whole shebang. Their weapons, tools, gadgets, and even upgrades differ from one another, making each class a learning experience when played, since they all play so differently.
The endgame of Deep Rock Galactic is crafted with the intention of creating multiple loadouts for each class, so that you can be a "king of all trades," and can fulfill any role that the team needs. You can make a Scout that specializes in single-target damage, or an Engineer that’s equipped for crowd control. It’s both an optimizer’s paradise and for people who want to personalize and craft their own builds, given that the amount of options leads to limitless builds.
In a sense, Deep Rock Galactic’s class system and variety pave the way to creating the most engaging gameplay loops because of how distinct each class is. Sure, the core gameplay is basically fulfilling the mission objective, but the approach will differ depending on the team composition that you currently have. This is much more evident in higher difficulty missions, where players will need a higher level of teamwork and might need to lean on each other’s specializations a bit more.
Catching Up Will Take a While
With that in mind, progression in this game can take a while. There are years worth of content that already exists in the game, some of which are the class upgrades that you have to unlock one-by-one.
In my case, it took me around a week of gaming sessions to earn my first promotion on my Scout. Imagine my surprise when I found out that there’s even more to unlock to finally complete my build.
It does end up repetitive due to the sheer number of missions you’ll run to gain experience or complete assignments. Thankfully, the game is fun enough not to become stale quickly, making the grind a bit more bearable than your average live-service game.
Relics of Hoxxes Goes Back to Its Roots
Each season, Deep Rock Galactic brings something new to the table. These can either be as small as a new mission type or a season-exclusive enemy. This time around, the sixth season of the game goes back to its roots by having a more exploration-focused season, introducing a new biome, new enemy types, and your usual new cosmetics and battle pass content.
The new biome is called the "Ossuary Depths," which is structured like a historical dig site, complete with prehistoric Glyphid bones and a complex network of stalactites and stalagmites. The new location is a complex maze that adds a bit more verticality for everyone, with different rock formations that serve as platforms you can climb.
The caves house three new enemies: the Scrabs, Pit Jaws, and the Bone Collector. The Scrabs are beetle-like creatures that have slightly thicker shells and the ability to fly. They usually come in swarms and live in nests next to the many bones that you’ll find when going around the caves. The Pit Jaws are pretty much ground versions of Cave Leeches, where they act like gigantic bear traps that prey on unwary explorers.
Finally, the Bone Collector is a docile creature that collects valuable minerals in the depths. Attacking one will lead it to retreat to its personal hoard, where players may follow using the tiny Ossium fragments that it leaves behind as it tries to run away. This leads to the season’s raid event, where you’ll find and loot the Bone Collector’s hoard of Ossium crystals.
Aside from that, the new mission is called "Heavy Extraction," where players will have to find gigantic reserves of Resinite in their respective regions. To extract these gigantic rocks, players must strap laser-guided rockets to them to lift them out and allow the company to collect them.
Of course, let’s not forget all of the new cosmetics that also come with the new season, where the highlight is the new "Diesel Driven" Weapon Framework. The theme of the weapon cosmetic is a combination of Wild-West meets Steampunk, and is honestly one of the best-looking weapon cosmetics they’ve released in a while.
FOMO Begone
Live-service games are often frowned upon for how they tackle additional content, mainly because they rely on FOMO to keep players playing. Deep Rock Galactic, however, doesn’t do that. Not only are Battle Passes free when a new season arrives, but all of them are accessible. Meaning you’re never missing out on seasonal content, and that you can actually play the game on your own time.
It’s such a crazy thing to consider that they’re willing to drop all of this for free without any real downside to it, and it’s just one of the reasons why the game is quite literally one of, if not the most, consumer-friendly live-service games out there.
Is Deep Rock Galactic Worth It?
Yes. Buy It For Karl.
Deep Rock Galactic is one of the best co-op shooters of all time, and I claim that proudly. It dominates the genre with one of the best progression systems that a co-op shooter has to offer. Not only can you create your own specialized loadout to fit specific situations, but there are also countless options for you to choose from, not to mention that each class has a multitude of choices.
And if that wasn’t enough, you never miss out on content despite it being a live-service game. All of its content updates are free, and all the other seasonal events are accessible via the in-game Season Terminal.
It’s an easy recommendation for anyone who’s looking to play a co-op shooter, and it’s also one of the best ones to start with if you’re looking to get your feet wet in the genre. While it originally costs $30, it’s frequently on sale for up to 75% off, making it an even better deal. Sure, it might take a while for you to gear up for endgame, but honestly, that time is worth it.
Deep Rock Galactic FAQ
Does Deep Rock Galactic Have Cross-Play?
No, not for all platforms. Those who play on Xbox consoles and the PC Microsoft store are able to cross-play, but Steam and PlayStation 5 are not able to. The developers of Ghost Ship Games have stated that they won’t be adding more cross-play to the game due to technical constraints.
How Do I Access Older Seasonal Content in Deep Rock Galactic?
Open the Season Terminal and select Season Selection to see and access previously offered seasonal events, rewards, and missions. Take note that you can only progress one season at a time.
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