In the second week of September, Steam saw the arrival of the looter-shooter 'Borderlands 4', alongside the Korean roguelike 'Shape of Dream', 'Firefighting Simulator', and the puzzle-base builder 'Star Buzz'. Meanwhile, 'Little Witch in the Woods' finally transitioned to its full release. However, the real buzz surrounds a casual title that's best enjoyed with mates: 'Keep Digging', released on the 11th.

'Keep Digging' is, as the title suggests, all about plunging into the abyss. It brings to mind 'A Game About Digging a Hole', which grabbed attention earlier this year for turning the simple childhood pastime of digging into a game. The distinction here is that 'Keep Digging' skips the experimental endings, focusing instead on a cooperative experience designed for you and your friends.

You start by creating your character. You can tinker with arm muscles and waist size, allowing for some truly bizarre creations—think muscle-bound ants or portly, spindly-armed aliens. As the game progresses, you can unlock costumes like chimpanzees, presidents, or clowns. Many players reckon the chimpanzee outfit perfectly captures the mindless, carefree joy of just digging.

The goal is to hit the 1km mark. Along the way, you'll hoard rocks and gems to sell for cash, which is then reinvested into batteries, digging tools, and backpacks. Upgrading your pack lets you carry more loot, while beefing up your pickaxe deals more damage to the earth. Starting with a humble iron shovel, you'll eventually evolve your gear into iron, gold, and even orichalcum pickaxes.

Energy drains with every swing of the pick. When it's time to head back to the surface, you'll need a jetpack, which chews through your remaining energy at an alarming rate. You can also stock up on ropes or dynamite at the shop. Dynamite is perfect for localized destruction, while ropes make navigating the subterranean tunnels a breeze. Both can be upgraded to increase blast radius or rope length.

It's a familiar loop: dig, profit, upgrade, repeat. The deeper you go, the better your chances of finding high-value resources, and you might even stumble upon tunnels carved out by miners of yore. Returning to the surface shop is straightforward; you can parkour up walls, stack excavated dirt to climb out, or use sewer checkpoints to teleport back home.

Part of the charm lies in the hidden oddities scattered underground. You might encounter ancient ruins that look suspiciously like pyramid interiors, massive dinosaur fossils, or even a giant chimpanzee statue. Keep an eye out for treasure chests; opened ones contain supplies and cash, while locked ones hold cosmetic items or worker upgrades.

Naturally, the more people involved, the more chaotic the fun becomes. You can use various emotes to bow, fart, or flick off your friends. Some emotes, like ape-like shrieks or bizarre noises, must be unlocked from chests. Whether you're dressed as a chimp, a clown, or a president, it's a nostalgic trip back to the days of playing in the dirt with your mates.

As of 3:00 PM on the 15th, 'Keep Digging' holds a 'Very Positive' (80% positive) rating on Steam. Players have chimed in, saying things like, "There are few things as visually violent as a line of chimps digging," "I dig, I earn!", "The best luxury you can buy for 5,000 won," "The meditative act of digging reflects the innate desire from the womb to the tomb," and "Perfect for a mindless 40-minute to 2-hour session."