I’m purchasing an Xbox Live Indie Game (XBLIG) every day, seeking out the quality titles that got lost in the shuffle and are not well represented in the top 50 lists on the Xbox Dashboard. Today is day #349, and today’s game is “Dwarven Depths”.
“Dwarven Depths” is an intriquing beast. It takes the dig’-em-up gameplay of arcade classic “Dig Dug”, but bolsters it with multiplayer (both competitive and co-operative) and a variety of traps, ladders, and ropes that would make console classic “Pitfall!” jealous. If you’ve had a hankering for a multiplayer version of “Miner Dig Deep” that feels a little bit like a side-scrolling version of Bomberman, then “Dwarven Depths” is your game.
First, from the developer (Moonroof Studios):
“An multiplayer platformer that takes place underground. Dig down for gold, but you’ll have to contend with monsters and other players. Gather treasure, lie in wait for an ambush, and lay devious traps. Procedurally-generated levels ensure that no two games are exactly the same. Struggle for subterranean supremacy!”
“Dwarven Depths” has up to four players competing for treasure that, and trying to stop each other from reaching the surface once an opponent finds some. Through direct combat with swords, cunningly set traps, and simply finding the faster/safer path to the surface, the game has an entertainingly frenetic feel. The game’s items list mixes up gameplay well, ensuring it doesn’t play out identically every time. There’s nothing like watching an opponent fall prey to a perfectly placed trap.
The developer has discussed some upgrades to the game (particularly to its singleplayer modes), but what’s there already is definitely worth 80 Microsoft Points to me.
Writings of Mass Deduction 