Dome Keeper

Imagine a game that takes the best gameplay mechanics from action roguelikes, sprinkles a bit of resource management, and tops it all off with a hint of survival, and you get Dome Keeper. This rich resource management sim will test your micromanagement skills as you aim to survive on a hostile alien planet.

The beautiful 2D artwork and the solid gameplay loop are just a handful of the things that Dome Keeper does right. This retro-styled survival sim has more than enough content to keep you playing for days. As you dig deeper below the planet's surface, you'll find that Dome Keeper keeps introducing new features and exciting events to ensure the challenge never gets stale.

Building Downwards

While most survival sims have you building your base above the surface – unless you play Minecraft as I do – Dome Keeper forces players to dig tunnels under the safety of their starting dome.

The dome is your only line of defense against alien creatures, so be sure to keep a close eye on it from time to time. The gameplay loop then becomes a matter of digging, gathering materials, and fortifying your dome to deal with the constant alien assaults. It might sound simple, but the execution in this game is flawless.

Granted, the whole "get back to the dome before time runs out" aspect of the game might be a blight for anxious players, and it definitely hinders the game's exploration. That said, the timer also adds an element of urgency to the gameplay, giving the player a clear objective to pursue at all times.

2D Space

Similar to Risk of Rain, Dome Keeper features a basic 2D look. Though character sprites only feature the bare minimum amount of detail, the animations are outstanding, especially considering the limited number of colors available to work with.

The vibrant world looks gorgeous during the daytime, while the nights and tunnel exploration sections give it a darker tone. The music used throughout the game is great as well; though it could have used some more variety.

In a word, Dome Keeper is gorgeous. It's clear that a lot of passion and love went into designing every aspect of the game's world, and players who can appreciate such creativity will enjoy playing Dome Keeper to its fullest extent.

Dig. Upgrade. Repeat.

As I mentioned before, the gameplay loop in Dome Keeper is pretty self-explanatory. You must dig tunnels to find materials and eventually upgrade your gear and your dome's defenses to withstand the alien attacks.

Eventually, the whole loop becomes second nature to the player, which makes the entire experience feel very satisfying. It's a good thing then that there's a steady stream of new challenges being thrown at you, whether it's an incoming horde or a massive spider boss. It pays to be prepared in the unforgiving world of Dome Keeper.

Perhaps my only gripe with the game is its lack of innovation when it comes to gameplay mechanics. Most of the fun here boils down to resource management and monster killing, both of which have been done to death by other titles in the same genre.

Pros

• Beautiful 2D art style
• Fun and engaging gameplay
• Lots of areas to explore

Cons

• No real narrative
• Time constraints can prove too stressful for some players