Keep on Mining!
" Polished casual incremental mining game with satisfying core loop but grind-heavy late game "
Keep on Mining! Review
Keep on Mining! is a casual incremental game centered around mining resources by moving the mouse cursor over rocks and purchasing upgrades to enhance mining efficiency. Players generally find the early gameplay loop satisfying and dopamine-inducing, especially when unlocking new upgrades and talents. The game runs smoothly with polished mechanics and a clean art style, making it a pleasant experience for fans of incremental games. However, the gameplay tends to become repetitive and grind-heavy midway through, with limited strategic depth and a lack of meaningful variation in playstyle. The upgrade system, while extensive, suffers from balance issues where some talents increase rock durability, effectively weakening the player. The game is relatively short, typically completed in 3-5 hours, with an abrupt ending that leaves some players wanting more content or progression features like prestige. Despite these flaws, the game is fairly priced and recommended for those seeking a relaxed, mindless mining experience.
Highlights
Players praise the smooth and satisfying core gameplay loop of mining and upgrading. The art style and sound design, including popping rock sounds and music, are well-received for enhancing immersion. The talent tree and upgrade system offer a sense of progression, and the game performs well technically without major bugs. Many appreciate the game's accessibility and the quick dopamine hits from upgrades, making it a fun, casual time-killer. The artifact system adds some variety, and the game is commended for being polished and well-executed overall.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game's repetitive and grindy mid-to-late gameplay, which many find boring and lacking meaningful strategic choices. Several players note that talents often feel like debuffs by increasing rock HP more than they improve player power. The upgrade and artifact systems lack depth, with vague descriptions and limited impact on gameplay. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying, with no prestige or extended progression to maintain long-term engagement. Some players also mention hand fatigue from continuous mouse movement and a lack of variety in mining mechanics. The idle feature is viewed as ineffective and unnecessary.
Pros
- • Smooth and polished core mining mechanic provides satisfying gameplay loop.
- • Clean and simple art style with pleasing sound effects and music.
- • Accessible for casual players seeking a relaxing incremental experience.
- • Talent tree and upgrades offer a sense of progression and dopamine hits.
- • Game runs well technically without major bugs or crashes.
- • Artifacts add some additional variety to gameplay.
- • Fairly priced for the amount of content offered.
Cons
- • Mid and late game become repetitive and grind-heavy with limited variety.
- • Some talents increase rock durability, effectively weakening player power.
- • Upgrade descriptions often lack precise information and impact is minimal.
- • Ending is abrupt with no prestige or extended progression features.
- • Idle mining feature is largely ineffective and unnecessary.
- • Hand fatigue can occur due to continuous mouse movement required.
- • Lack of meaningful strategic choices or different viable builds.
Rating Criteria
Keep on Mining! is a short incremental mining game. Mine rocks, gather materials, find artifacts, craft pickaxes and spend your materials on permanent upgrades inside the big skill tree!