Summary
Away from the bright, unbearably swollen vacuum of the overworld lies a comforting, dim domain of darkness. Life underground may not be for everyone, but it has a certain appeal for those in need of a rocky sanctuary who wish to vanish under the earth away from the prying eyes of the sun-dwellers.
Plenty of games feature underground segments, but these games focus exclusively on the world below and expect their players to survive whatever hardcore horrors the depths have in store. There are a few games that simulate the physics of an underground world, likeDwarf Fortress, and a few witha unique underground setting, such asUndertale, but these games force their depth-dwellers into a survival state of mind.
In a future where the surface world has become inhospitable, humanity has retreated into subterranean hubs connected by labyrinthine train tracks. However, this new world of old-world transportation is, in many ways, just as deadly. UnderRail has players explore a sprawling underground metro system teeming with life (of a sort), danger, scarcity, and possibility.
Survival revolves around picking the right battles and finding a way to come out on top in tactical turn-based combat (as every enemy has a chance to win out against the player), careful management of dwindling resources, and navigating the treacherous politics ofthe various factions, each of various size, from local gangs to would-be governments, each vying for dominance.
The lost digs of Khazad-Dum, or Moria, became abandoned in Middle-earth’s largely undocumented fourth age whenLord of the Rings: Return to Moriatakes place. However, if there is any company more equipped to deal with rock, darkness, and danger, it is one made up of hardy, heroic dwarves.
Players explore their own procedurally-generated Moria maps and must use their strength, wits, and crafting skills to survive and restore the ruins to their former glory. Although the deep dark can feel gloomy, there are plenty of familiar touches inReturn to Moriathat dwarf andLord of the Ringsfansalike will find comfort in, especially with axe-swinging, ale-chugging, gem-cutting friends in co-op.
Arx Fataliswas, and still is, ahead of its time in terms of design and ambition. After coming to terms with (or reconfiguring) the keybinds, players will find themselves immersed in a highly detailed fantasy world simulation, albeit one restricted to underground passageways, reclaimed mineshafts, and long-lost subterranean temples.
The surface world of Arx Fatalis was long ago lost to an eternal winter brought about by the planet’s dying sun, which many of Arx’s inhabitants believe to be a curse from the gods. Whatever the case, players will have to explore and survive the world of the undergroundby their own choice and means(be it stealth, power, or magic).
Anyone who has ever gazed into an ant nest through a glass wall will find something familiar aboutHollow Knight’s Hollownest. Its sprawling, interconnected underground world gleams with secrets, enemies, and haunting echoes of an insectoid empire long gone. Players take control of the titular knight, armed with a nail-turned-sword and the unwavering courage to delve deeper into the world below.
Survival in Hollow Knight is less about managing food or resources and more about skillfully overcoming itsbrutal combat and exploration challenges. Every corner of Hallownest offers a new trial, including corrupted creatures, devious traps, or beautifully evocative bosses.
Similar to its spiritual predecessor,Dungeon Keeper,War for the Overworldflips the underground survival genre on its head by putting players in the role of a malevolent overlord. Instead of surviving against enemies, players must build and defend their underground lair from invading heroes seeking to destroy their domain.
Just because players are given the sinister powers befittinga master of darkness, it doesn’t mean they aren’t vulnerable. They will need to satiate their minions to keep them on-side, which means keeping gold reserves high, their lairs sprawling, and their traps sharp.
InMetro 2033, the Moscow Metro isn’t a convenient way to get around anymore. It’s humanity’s last refuge afternukes made the surface a radioactive wasteland. Every station is its own little world. Trade hubs are packed with desperate survivors or militarized fortresses. Resources like filters, functioning gear, and ammunition are scarce, so much so that bullets are used as a form of currency instead of notes or coins.
The tunnels connecting these stations are treacherous no-go zones infested with mutated creatures and fraught with the constant threat of conflict between rival factions. Of course, players will inevitably find themselves crossing these no-man lines in a brutal bid to return to an area of relative safety.
