Deep Rock Galactic Survivor Review: A Solo Roguelite Success for Rock & Stone Fans

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is a bold spin on the DRG universe and delivers in ways fans will both expect and be pleasantly surprised by. It takes the core appeal of Deep Rock Galactic (the dwarves, the mining, the blasting bugs) and reimagines it in a top-down auto-shooter / bullet heaven style. It is very different than other survivor games in its mission structure and in how much mining and environmental interaction matter.

From the moment you drop into those procedurally generated caves you feel the tension. Enemies swarm. Rock walls slow you down. Minerals glint in hidden pockets, tempting you to detour. Upgrading weapons and grabbing overclocks gives you satisfying choices: do I invest now for combat power or take the risk to get better mining yield later in a run? There is real decision-making in those moments. Each mission is more than just surviving wave after wave: there are objectives, there is the final boss, and there are the chances to explore, mine, and maneuver. The environment is not just backdrop. It is tactically useful: creating chokepoints, tunnels, evading pursuers, or leading enemies into hazards.

For existing Deep Rock Galactic fans, there is a strong sense of recognition. The classes feel right. The weapons and upgrades feel tied to what made DRG special. The minerals and resources you recognize. The sound, the atmosphere, the humor, they are all there. It does not feel like a reskinned copy. It feels faithful in many small ways and those small ways add up into a rich experience.

Graphically Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor looks and runs great. On Xbox Series X the visuals are crisp. Biomes are varied and vibrant. Lighting and effects pop (lava, bouncing mushrooms, thorny vines) and performance holds up even in chaotic moments. Perhaps on long runs there are times when screen clutter grows, but nothing that breaks the experience. This is a game that works well whether you want a quick 10-minute dive before bed or want to sink in for a long session chasing masteries and better loot.

Given how DRG makes its identity around co-op teamwork, you might long for a friend or two in the mines. It is not a flaw in the gameplay itself but it makes you wonder how much more fun it would be with others. Hopefully multiplayer or co-op might be added later. But as a solo adventure it still delivers strongly.

On the flip side there are a few caveats. Progression, as deep as it is, can feel grindy. After many runs, builds start to somewhat converge, and some overclocks or unlocks feel like minor upgrades rather than game-changing. Occasionally mission variety could be greater (though the new “Escort Duty” mission adds welcome change). Newcomers to the genre may need a few runs to get comfortable with the pace, hazards, menus, and strategy trade-offs.

Overall value is high, especially for Xbox owners who get this via Game Pass. For fans of DRG, it is more than fan service: this is a thoughtful pivot into a different genre while holding onto what made DRG beloved. For Karl!

RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is now available for PC and Xbox Series S/X.