Shovel Knight Dig
Metacritic
IGDB
Loading critic reviews...
Deals
Finding deals...
Live Streams
Finding live streams...
About Shovel Knight Dig
Shovel Knight Dig is a 2022 action-platformer from Yacht Club Games, the team behind the Shovel Knight series. It blends digging, combat, and resource management in a procedurally generated dungeon-crawling adventure. Set in a world where rival knights clash over loot, you play as Shovel Knight tunneling through shifting environments to stop Drill Knight’s crew. The game launched on PC, consoles, and mobile, offering a single-player experience with permadeath stakes and permadeath progression. It’s a high-risk, high-reward loop where every decision affects your path forward.
Gameplay
Each run starts with digging downward, using your shovel to carve paths while fending off enemies. You collect upgrades like shields, weapons, and special abilities to survive deeper levels. Combat is fast and precise, requiring timing to dodge attacks and counter. The procedurally generated maps ensure no two runs feel alike, but they also demand careful planning, digging in the wrong spot can trap you. You manage resources like health pickups and bomb placements, balancing offense and defense. The challenge spikes sharply as you progress, rewarding mastery of movement and weapon combos. Every death resets your progress, but permanent upgrades let you gradually improve your odds.
What Players Think
Shovel Knight Dig holds an 82/100 on Metacritic and a 4.3/5 PlayPile rating from 12,400 players. Average playtime is 25 hours, with 42% completing the game. Community moods skew 45% determined, 30% curious, and 25% frustrated. Reviews praise the "addictive loop of failure and progress" but note the "steep learning curve." Players highlight the value of permadeath upgrades, with 68% returning for multiple runs. Critics call it "a masterclass in roguelike design," though some argue the difficulty spikes feel unfair.
PlayPile's Take
This game thrives for players who enjoy punishing yet fair challenges and incremental progression. At $29.99, it’s a mid-tier indie with replayability driven by procedural variety. The 35 achievements (50 Gamerscore) reward skill and completion, but casual players may find the grind tedious. Shovel Knight Dig is best approached with patience, it’s a tough, but deeply satisfying evolution of the Shovel Knight formula. If you’re into calculated risk-taking, it’s worth the investment.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
80.5
RAWG Rating
3.4
Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...