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| Deep Rock Galactic is free to play on Steam until February 2 at 6 PM (UTC). |
Forget pristine starships and heroic tales of galactic conquest. In the world of Deep Rock Galactic, glory is measured in sacks of mined minerals and making it back to the drop pod with your beard still intact. This isn't a job for the faint of heart—it's a tough, gritty, and incredibly fun co-op experience that has cemented itself as a modern classic. If you haven't joined the ranks of the dwarven mining corporation, now's the perfect time.
Work Hard, Mine Harder
Developed by Ghost Ship Games, Deep Rock Galactic casts you as a heavily armed space dwarf employed by a profit-obsessed mega-corporation. Your assignment is deceptively simple: descend into the procedurally generated caverns of alien planets, extract valuable resources, and survive the hostile ecosystems that call these caves home. Designed for one to four players, the game absolutely shines when you're coordinating with a team, shouting warnings and sharing ammunition as swarms of creatures close in.
The magic lies in the unpredictable, fully destructible environments. Every mission takes you to a new, hand-crafted-feeling cave system across stunning biomes—from the eerie glow of the Glacial Strata to the spore-choked halls of the Fungus Bogs. Need to reach an objective? You can follow the natural caverns, or simply have your team's Driller carve a direct path straight through the rock. This freedom to reshape the world enables brilliant moments of teamwork and last-minute tactical escapes.
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| (Image source: Steam) |
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| (Image source: Steam) |
A Class Act Built on Teamwork
Success hinges on mastering the game's four distinct classes, each vital to the operation:
- The Scout lights up enormous caverns with his flare gun and uses his grapple hook to reach high-up minerals.
- The Gunner lays down suppressing fire with his heavy minigun and deploys ziplines for the team to traverse chasms.
- The Engineer provides tactical control with his automated turret and places platforms to create new pathways.
- The Driller is the master of terrain, vaporizing rock with his flamethrower and drills to create instant tunnels or bunkers.
This synergy isn't just encouraged—it's essential. A well-coordinated team is a beautiful, efficient, and survivable machine. The progression system fuels the fun, offering a deep well of weapon upgrades, new tools, and a hilarious array of cosmetic items to customize your dwarf's look.
Acclaim from Critics and Miners Alike
The game has earned its stellar reputation. Critics have praised its near-perfect co-op loop and tremendous replay value. German outlet 4Players, in their review, highlighted the "engaging co-op experience" and "rewarding progression," while noting that even solo play is well-executed. They awarded it a solid 8 out of 10, suggesting only that more mission and class variety could make a great game even better.
This sentiment is echoed across the industry. On Metacritic, Deep Rock Galactic holds a strong Metascore of 85 and an even higher User Score of 8.4. Its most impressive accolade, however, lives on its Steam store page: over 360,000 user reviews and an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating, with 97% of players recommending it.
How to Join the Company (For Free)
Originally released in May 2020, Deep Rock Galactic is typically priced around $30. But right now, there's no risk to trying it. The game is in the middle of a free weekend on Steam, running until Sunday, February 2, at 6 PM UTC.
If you fall in love with the deep-space mining life (and you probably will), you can purchase the game at a steep 70% discount until Monday, February 3, bringing the price down to just about $9. You can jump directly to the offer on the official Steam store page.
And for miners on the go? Good news: Deep Rock Galactic is verified as "Playable" on the Steam Deck, letting you manage missions from the couch or on the road. The handheld itself is currently available for purchase on sites like Amazon.
So round up your crew, stock up on Glyphid Slammers, and get ready to shout "Rock and Stone!" The most satisfying, chaotic, and cooperative job in the galaxy is waiting.