Really nice game. My favorite moment was when, after I had bought all the upgrades but the last, I finally started to explore the actual geometry surrounding the level. It was a huge change in pace--I no longer cared about the minerals whatsoever, and instead only about the actual environment around me. It was a cool moment because the actual setting of the game had seemed to be almost meaningless for most of the game. The fact that it was set in the ocean was arbitrary. But when I finally just stopped going after the metal so hard, the ocean environment was quite meaningful. And I think the abyss part of the environment really nails this. There is no ore in the abyss. The only reason to go in there, aside from the narrative one, is to see the environment itself. I don't know, it was just a nice thing.

Aside from that, the core gameplay loop was very nice. The upgrade system worked really well. Having ores that become increasingly valuable that require increasingly better equipment is just a really nice way to build that kind of upgrade-loop system. One aspect of it that I especially like is when you get just a tiny bit of the ore at the next pressure level. It really motivates you to want to get the pressure upgrade for that level and get the hugely increased cash flow (which, of course, will shortly be matched by hugely increased upgrade costs).

Sleek game. itch.io says that I played 30 minutes! That's a lot!

THE UPGRADE SYSTEM. WOW.

So many upgrades. Implemented in such little time. Impressive.

Thanks for submitting! I had fun!

(oh, yeah. I impress myself with my sense of orientation, but it would be less stressful if an indicator would point to the base.)

Extremely well made! The graphics and UI are top notch. The music sets an eerie tone that is apt for the game. (Although I did get a deep space feel: the way the craft moves and debris floating around.). The upgrade system is good. The core gameplay is enjoyable. Deciding whether to mine one more piece of debris or not, realizing you’re going to run out of oxygen, racing towards the top and barely making it. Feels really good to reach the surface for breath. This mechanic makes the game really exciting! (I think the Steel Heart kind of spoils things a bit.) The one minor crib about the game here: I guess it is possible to play conservatively and not have these close calls. The graphics effects are really good, especially the one where you’re going deeper than you should. The game is pretty well balanced, expect maybe towards the end, when things get easy. This is ok, though. By then you really want to get to the ending. Which again, is really good. Your heart races with the excitement of going into an abyss and not knowing what lies ahead. Great job!

That ending though...