Here’s something that I didn’t know – this was already on Steam since March. Why didn’t I know? Because my computer is relatively old, so I game on it a bit less. However, we now have Going Under on console which includes Nintendo Switch! That’s the version I’m reviewing, but I would assume the experience on PS4 and Xbox One would be similar.
Being new to the game, I didn’t really know what to expect. The screenshots kind-of looked interesting, but I didn’t expect what I got. In the best way possible. Going Under has you play as Jacqueline – a marketing intern joining the recently acquired drinks company Fizzle. Acquired by who? Cubicle – a company that send goods to customers through the magic of drones. Definitely doesn’t remind me of anything to do with real life.
Presentation
You know what’s great? The colours and textures in this game. Granted, there are games like Untitled Goose Game that give you a paper-cartoon feel, but this has a great pastel aesthetic that works. You also have a relatively free camera that you can move in 3D – that’s something I really didn’t expect.
The music in Going Under is great as well. It has a “lo-fi drumbeat hip-hop” feel, mixed with the standard zany electronic-style music you’d come to expect from indie games. It works well to set the pace of the game with your combat and works with the setting of a cool tech start-up. At least, it does to me.
The game’s design seems to follow a “corporate tech office” theme. From the music and the setting to the object and character design, everyone looks like what you would expect to see in a tech start-up – with added satire and literal keyboard-warrior action.
Gameplay
Going under the office for some fighting!
Let’s talk about combat. You pick up items while you’re in the dungeon, and have the option to hit enemies with them, or throw them. Items are either swords and clubs, big hammers or bats, spears, or junk. Each category controls differently – junk gets an overhead smash, where swords are a bit more of your standard “Legend of Zelda” slash. Spears stab, and big hammers give wide swings. There are also explosives and weapons that shoot projectiles. You can hold up to 3 items that break after varying amounts of hits.
Variety is definitely not missing in the game, and you’ll find that depending on how you play, you might find some weapons become your first choice over others. This doesn’t translate to huge depth. You can attack, charge attack, throw and dodge roll. No real combos or anything here. Is that an issue? No, I would even go further and say that it feels fine.
Much like “Dead Cells,” the lack of complexity means that you need to depend on your skill a lot more. Dodging at the right time and figuring out enemy attacks and when you have space are important. Because you can’t dodge and parry, you instead need to figure out placement. Skills are available in this game, and you get them throughout the dungeon. They reset once you complete a dungeon or die, but using them enough lets you “pin” them and have them from the start.
Make sure you’re task oriented!
The hub-office sets you up with your tasks, and also gives you a chance to chat with the main characters (and main good girl) in the game. The tasks range from buying certain items in the dungeons to damaging monsters in certain ways. Of course, the best bit is having the characters try to explain why the tasks are important to the success of the company. The more I explain this, the more I realise how deep the satire is.
Downsides? Well, there are a couple. The humour in the game sometimes gets int he way of understanding how some mechanics work. The “apps” in game, for example. You get explanations when you pick them up, but these range from “funny but functional” sentences to “lol its 2020” phrases. Funny, but that means you have to pretty much use the app when you think it’ll work and hope it’s OK. When that happens to be in a room full of enemies, it can leave you feeling like you’re about to throw a banana at someone and hope it does something. (Yes, that’s a Family Guy reference)
Also, trying to do some of the “fun” thing is a bit difficult. I haven’t been able to find a way to do some fine movements to set a club or a sandwich on fire, for example. Throwing is also a bit difficult to get used to. There’s a skill to have thrown objects home in, but locking-on doesn’t seem to set you up for success…in hitting the enemy. Lock-on also only works on enemies, not objects in the environment. Maybe the assist option on the start screen might have helped.
Overall
Going Under is great. The humour is brilliant and hits perfectly, especially being someone from a tech background. I could imagine playing this after a day at work and having fun with it just from the moments outside of the dungeons alone. Could multiplayer have been included? 2 player couch co-op would be fun, but then it might make it difficult to see what you’re doing. Also, controlling this with one Joy-Con on the Switch might be troublesome.
This game comes at £15.99 in the UK on the Nintendo eShop. In my opinion, that’s a very fair price. I’ve only played it for a few hours and I’m already wanting to go back for more. I would slide in (that makes sense in-game) and give it a try.
The only reason I wouldn’t suggest it is if you wanted something that felt like it has more variety. Even though the dungeons change with each run, I can see how the environments may start to feel stale. If that might be you, maybe something like Dead Cells, especially with its current updates and DLC, might be a better option for you. It’s also in a similar price bracket. You know…if you were thinking of getting a AAA game, maybe you should just get both…
TL;DR – Short version for the time-strapped
Going Under is a very fun indie game that suits portable play perfectly, but still translates well to home gaming on the TV. Combat is in that “easy to learn, hard to master” category, but has sprinkling of fun with semi-random skills dotted around dungeons. You get some great satirical looks at what the world is right now, too. If you like dungeon crawlers you should enjoy this game. If you want snappier feeling combat with a bit more challenge, you may prefer a game like Dead Cells.
