They dug too deep - A Game About Digging A Hole Review

Sometimes the simplest premise when it comes to a gaming mechanic, ends up being the most enjoyable. That's the case with A Game About Digging A Hole which released onto Xbox on the 9th December 2025.

The game was created by indie developer Matt Round, who originally built it as a three‑week experiment in minimalism and absurdity. Round, known for his playful approach to interactive projects, leaned into the idea of stripping gameplay down to its barest essence: you dig, and you keep digging. What started as a small passion project quickly snowballed into a viral phenomenon, amassing millions of players and spreading across social media platforms where clips of endless shovelling became oddly hypnotic to watch. The developer’s own bemusement at its success adds to the charm, this is a game that revels in its simplicity, and its creator never pretends it’s anything more than what the title promises.

The core of the game is as straightforward as its title suggests: you dig, and you keep digging. You begin with a basic shovel and a patch of dirt behind your newly purchased house, chasing the promise of treasure buried far below. Each scoop of soil could earn you money if you find a resource (Stone, Copper, Silver etc), which can be reinvested into better equipment. The act of digging is repetitive by design, but it’s also oddly absorbing, creating a rhythm that feels almost meditative. As you descend, you encounter different materials like stones, ores, even diamonds that require stronger tools to break through (including some throwable dynamite sticks).

Beyond the obvious valuables, there are also quirky surprises buried underground. You could stumble across odd relics, hidden treasures, and even humorous Easter eggs that nod to the game’s tongue‑in‑cheek design as you dig deeper into the earth, with a couple of gadgets helping you pinpoint their exact locations as you get near!

The game also introduces light resource management. Your digging is limited by battery power and health, both of which can be upgraded. Running out of energy forces you to resurface (albeit with less health and losing everything in your inventory), creating a cycle of digging, upgrading, and returning underground. This loop is what keeps players engaged: the promise of going just a little deeper next time, uncovering new layers of soil and stone, and inching closer to the treasure.

There is some replayability on offer. Once you complete the game you can replay in achievement mode, which then allows you to unlock extra achievements from hitting digging goals to speed running through the game in under 30 minutes.

Of course, the experience isn’t without its quirks. Technical oddities like dirt pixels lingering on screen or dynamite bouncing unpredictably can break immersion, though they almost feel in keeping with the game’s scrappy, tongue‑in‑cheek design. The ending could be criticized for feeling anticlimactic, offering little payoff after hours of digging, however I found it rather amusing after a couple of hours chipping my way deeper and deeper. These flaws are part of the package: this isn’t a polished blockbuster, but a playful experiment that thrives on its rough edges.

This is definitely one of those games that fits perfectly in Xbox Game Pass. It's short enough that you can give it a playthrough in a single sitting (I took around two hours the first time I played the game) and its weird enough that the premise may actually put people off from purchasing it outright. So having the ability to jump into the game and see exactly what its all about (and hopefully falling in love with its absurd charm) without committing anything extra could really be a huge benefit!

Pros

• A refreshingly honest premise that delivers exactly what it promises.

• Relaxing, repetitive gameplay that can feel meditative.

• Viral charm and cultural curiosity

• Accessible price point and game pass availability

Cons

• Extremely shallow mechanics with little variety.

• Technical quirks and minor bugs that can frustrate.

• An underwhelming ending that could to reward persistence.

• Novelty wears off quickly for players seeking depth.

A Game About Digging A Hole is less about traditional gameplay and more about the absurdity of its existence. It’s a playable joke, a cosy pastime, and a viral artifact all rolled into one. The developer’s willingness to embrace minimalism and humour makes it stand out in a crowded indie scene, even if it won’t hold attention for long. For players who enjoy quirky experiments, it’s worth the small investment, especially given its low cost and Game Pass availability. But if you’re looking for narrative depth, mechanical complexity, or long‑term engagement, you may find yourself filling in the hole faster than you’d like. In the end, the game succeeds not because it’s profound, but because it’s unapologetically simple, a reminder that sometimes, digging for treasure is less important than laughing at the act of digging itself.

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)

A Game About Digging A Hole is available now!