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About Drillbound
Drillbound is a minimalist drill management sim from TimeSeeker that drops you into the crust of a nameless planet. Released on PC in March 2026, it’s a single-player strategy game where you automate and optimize a drilling rig to burrow deeper underground. The goal is to crush rock layers, collect minerals, and use profits to upgrade tools, boost efficiency, and unlock tech to reach the core. It’s a stripped-down loop of resource management and incremental progression, with a retro-futuristic aesthetic. The game thrives on simplicity but demands careful planning to maximize output. No combat, no story, just a vertical slice of geology and grind.
Gameplay
Drillbound revolves around managing a single drill rig. You start by selecting tools to break rock layers, each with different costs and yields. Resources fund upgrades like faster drills, heat-resistant bits, and automated mining systems. The drill automatically operates, but you must pause to adjust equipment when encountering new material types. A tech tree lets you unlock modifiers like reduced energy use or increased material discovery rates. Sessions are typically short bursts of planning and tweaking, with progress measured in meters drilled. The challenge lies in balancing upfront costs with long-term gains. Controls are sparse, mostly clicking to assign upgrades, making it accessible but reliant on spreadsheet-like optimization.
What Players Think
Drillbound holds a 4.2/5 rating on PlayPile, with 78% of players completing the core objectives. Average playtime is 6 hours, though 23% report over 10 hours in pursuit of full tech unlocks. The community mood leans curious and focused (82% of tags), but 19% cite “frustrating resource bottlenecks.” Achievements include “Diamond Bit Mastery” (unlocked at 1,000 meters) and “Core Sample Collected” (final goal). Reviewers praise its “addictive upgrade loop” but criticize repetitive late-game phases. Critics from PC Gamer and Destructoid call it “a niche win for systems lovers” but “overpriced for a 5-hour grind.”
PlayPile's Take
Drillbound is best for players who enjoy incremental systems and spreadsheet optimization. At $19.99, it’s a low-risk purchase for fans of minimalist strategy, though the short playtime might feel underwhelming. Achievements add replay value, but the lack of variety in core mechanics limits long-term appeal. It’s a solid but narrow experience, ideal for a weekend of focused grinding but unlikely to stick around in your library. Worth trying if you’ve got spare cash and patience for slow progression.
Game Modes
Single player
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