Orebound is an early-access base-building factory automation game by Emberforge Games where you play as a fantasy dwarf! Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Everything We Know About Orebound
Orebound Story Plot
Not much has been shared about Orebound’s story yet, aside from the basic setup: the King tasks you, a resourceful Dwarf, with recovering an ancient artifact known as the Emberstone. Since the game is still in early access, it’s likely more details about the narrative will emerge as development continues. We’ll be sure to update this article when new story elements are revealed, so keep an eye out for future updates!
Orebound Gameplay
Orebound is a voxel-based open-world adventure simulation game centered on resource gathering, automating production lines, and delving deep into the earth in search of the Emberstone. In many ways, it shares core gameplay elements with other 3D automation titles like Satisfactory, particularly with its focus on efficient automation, conveyor belts, and sprawling industrial setups.
However, Orebound sets itself apart by leaning heavily into its fantasy roots. Instead of futuristic mega-factories, the game emphasizes dwarven craftsmanship and classic adventuring, putting a uniquely rustic and magical spin on the genre.
Orebound Release Date
Orebound will be released for Steam Early Access on October 24, 2024. An exact release time is yet to be revealed but we’ll update this article with new information as it comes out.
Orebound Review [Early Access]
Rock, Stone, and A Long Way to Go
Confession time: I’m an absolute sucker for automation games. I’ve sunk so many hours into Satisfactory, Factorio, Shapez 2, and Dyson Sphere Program that tracking my playtime in months feels more accurate than hours.
Each of these games has its own unique charm—whether it’s the satisfying gameplay loop, immersive aesthetics, or just the overall vibe. And while each one boasts fantastic artistic direction, I’ve always found myself yearning for something... different. Something that truly fits the idea of moving mountains and channeling ore through colossal forges.
I’m talking dwarves. And no, not the kind singing with Snow White—I mean the stout, stocky, and magnificently bearded folk who live deep within every fantasy mountain worth its salt. There’s just no better match for the intricacies of factory automation than the grit and craftsmanship of a dwarven stronghold. Fortunately for me, Orebound is exactly that... well, sort of.
But let’s not jump to conclusions just yet. There’s a lot to unpack—and a lot of mining to do—before we can pass judgment. As you’ll soon discover, Orebound has a journey of its own ahead, just like us.
Orebound combines factory automation with base-building and the adventurous spirit of an exploration RPG. As a dwarf, you’ll feel right at home digging through the dirt, carving tunnels deep into the mountains in search of the earth’s treasures—but digging is just the beginning in this game.
While you’ll gather and process ores the old-fashioned way at first, the real challenge comes in streamlining the entire operation. Starting with simple furnaces and tool benches, you’ll soon find yourself knee-deep (or chest-deep for a dwarf) in conveyor belts, auto-smelters, drills, and even defense turrets, all part of your journey to revolutionize dwarven smelting and mining efficiency.
Of course, not all of a mountain’s riches lie underground—sometimes you’ll need to venture to the surface, and that’s where Orebound’s exploration element kicks in. The game features a procedurally generated 3D world packed with diverse biomes, quirky land formations, hidden mining tunnels just beneath the surface, gatherable foliage, and a handful of overworld creatures to challenge you.
Exploring above ground is just as essential as mining below since crucial resources like potion ingredients, wood, leather, and enemy loot can’t exactly be mined. Striking the right balance between digging and adventuring is key—think of it as choosing whether to channel your inner Deep Rock Galactic or embrace full-on Lord of the Rings vibes.
Progression in Orebound is refreshingly straightforward, with a tier-based system that unlocks new tools and tech incrementally, ensuring you’re never overwhelmed. Advancing usually involves collecting enough Dwarven Coins to "purchase" the next tier of upgrades, though the game’s buildable quest board offers structured questlines to follow that provide bags of coins as rewards. This doubles as both a guide to mastering the mechanics and a way to progress at your own pace.
Lastly, let’s talk about Orebound’s aesthetics and presentation. The game embraces a playful, cartoony 3D style while staying true to the classic fantasy dwarf archetype. Machines have a steampunk flair, and your dwarven buildings are as sturdy and no-nonsense as the stocky hands that built them. In true dwarven fashion, everything looks like it’s been crafted to either last a thousand years, crush a few enemies, or bear the mark of master artisans—far removed from the delicate, decorative elegance of Elvish design.
The soundtrack complements the game’s dwarf-centric theme, though it’s more like lively tavern tunes than the epic symphonies you might expect to echo through ancient stone halls. Still, it fits the vibe well enough. And honestly, when it comes to early-access games with plenty of development ahead, a little tavern music isn’t the worst thing to overlook. There’s always time to swap it out for something grander down the road.
Alas, it’s time to point out the cracks in this stronghold’s façade. Orebound wears its early-access status on its sleeve—for better and worse. While it shows promise, the game is undeniably rough around the edges and in dire need of polish. Movement feels clunky, terrain generation can be frustratingly inconsistent, and the lack of enemy variety leaves combat feeling stale. These are just a few areas where improvements are sorely needed.
The UI, unfortunately, is another sore spot—rudimentary at best, and at times downright painful to look at. Combine that with awkward base-building mechanics, an unreliable world grid, and frustratingly unpolished combat, and it’s clear that Orebound still has a lot of refining to do.
That said, beneath all the roughness lies the potential for something truly great. I can see the shape of an incredible, dwarf-themed automation game emerging—it just needs time and a bit more chisel work. If the developers can hammer out these issues, Orebound might yet earn its place in the spotlight, worthy of the most hardened dwarven artisans.
There’s So Much to This Early-Access Build Already
Imperfect as it is, Orebound manages to compensate for its shortcomings by packing a surprisingly dense amount of early-access content. You’ll easily get a few hours of gameplay out of it—though not all of those hours will be smooth sailing. A fair chunk of your time might be spent wrestling with its quirks and clunky systems, but there’s enough here to showcase the developer’s vision.
Your journey begins the hard way—scraping together wood and stone to piece together a functional starter base and unlocking the bare minimum for automation. But the pace picks up once you get a steady flow of iron ore, smelt it, and kick off more advanced production. With over 20 unlockable tiers of tech spanning automation, crafting, base-building, combat, and vault management, the game offers a lot of depth for any determined dwarf.
As far as proof of concepts go, Orebound is as solid as a mountain.
High-Quality 3D Assets with Strong Thematic Presence
Say what you will about Orebound, but it’s a game that stands apart. Even in the crowded space of dwarf-themed titles like Deep Rock Galactic and Dwarf Fortress, Orebound boasts a remarkably cohesive and consistent aesthetic that it proudly leans into. Every detail, down to the most basic structure—like a humble research table—has been crafted with such care and thematic flair that it makes the game’s lackluster terrain generation feel almost embarrassing by comparison.
And that attention to design matters. In a 3D factory automation game, you’ll spend a lot of time staring at your creations, and Orebound ensures they’re worth the view. Despite the game’s clunky mechanics and early-access quirks, it knew exactly what to nail from the start: the look and feel of its machines and buildings.
If the developers can keep building on this strong foundation, Orebound’s full release could be nothing short of spectacular. Here’s hoping it delivers the grandeur of the Mines of Moria or the mighty halls of Erebor—just without the pesky dragon.
Can’t Get Around Its Clunky Base-Building
Unfortunately, all that grandeur remains wishful thinking for now. Despite base-building being one of the game’s core mechanics, Orebound struggles to deliver on that front, making it frustratingly difficult to construct even the simplest structures—let alone the sprawling, complex bases the genre demands.
The main culprit is the game’s finicky snapping system for building components. Coupled with unpredictable terrain generation, even the smallest imperfections in the landscape can block you from placing foundations, forcing endless adjustments and do-overs. What should be a creative and rewarding part of the game feels more like a test of patience.
I spent far more time than I’d like to admit tearing down and rebuilding just to get my base to align properly with the fickle world grid. And unless the developers address this soon, I imagine anyone else diving into Orebound will face the same tedious struggle.
Game8 Reviews
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Orebound Product Information
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| Title | OREBOUND |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 24, 2024 (Early Access) |
| Developer | Emberforge |
| Publisher | Emberforge |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam) |
| Genre | Adventure, Simulation |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | Orebound Website |
