Hi there! Today I’m sharing my laid-back thoughts on Keep on Mining! by EagleEye Games. If you’re looking for a short, cozy incremental game that scratches that mining itch, stick around. I’ve spent a few hours digging, upgrading, and hunting artifacts, and here’s how it all shook out.
Overall Impressions
Keep on Mining! delivers a solid early rush. In the first 20–30 minutes I was hooked—especially when I unlocked the lighting upgrade. Suddenly the mine lit up, ores popped off the screen, and I felt a wave of dopamine. That spark is exactly what drew me in. Unfortunately, as I climbed deeper and sank more materials into the big skill tree, the excitement tapered off. By the mid-game I found myself hitting “continue mining” and letting the game run on its own. Compared to other incrementals like Cookie Clicker or that relaxing mobile miner I play before bed, Keep on Mining! shines early but doesn’t quite keep the magic flowing through to the end.
If you’ve ever tried an idle-style or incremental rogue-like, you’ll feel right at home. Everything runs smoothly, the goals are clear, and the core loop—mine, craft, upgrade—works well. It’s priced on the modest side, so for a quick dopamine hit it’s hard to argue with the value. Just go in knowing it’s more of a quick snack than a full-course banquet.
Gameplay Mechanics
Discover a simple, satisfying mining game loop where you click or tap to gather materials and unlock new pickaxe recipes. Enjoy clear skill tree navigation with highlighted purchasable skills and grayed-out maxed ones, guiding you seamlessly through progression. Embrace permanent upgrades for lasting boosts and skip temporary buffs. The standout moment comes when unlocking lighting transforms dark corners into a warm yellow glow, instantly lifting the mood and enhancing exploration.
Mid-game grind fatigue sets in once the main skill branches are unlocked, as power jumps feel shallow and upgrade spikes lose their reward. Artifact spawn rates remain low—even with two talents boosting chances—forcing relic hunters to brace for slow drops. Without a satisfying finale or big crescendo, the game fizzles out into an ever-slower grind. While early mechanics feel polished, the bare-bones late game and lack of extra content leave players craving more dopamine.
Story and Characters
Here’s the thing—there really isn’t a story or cast of characters. You’re a lone miner delving into an ancient cave system, and the world-building is mostly in flavor text for artifacts. I didn’t mind; some of the descriptions are fun little nods to lost civilizations or strange relics. But if you’re hoping for NPC banter or a narrative arc, this probably won’t scratch that itch. It’s more of a tool-based experience: dig deeper, unlock tiles, and learn about a forgotten mining guild from item lore.
Visuals and Graphics
Keep on Mining! uses a clean, cartoony style with chunky pixels and bright colors. The mine walls have nice texture, ores stand out in jewel-tone hues, and the lighting effect really pops once you buy that upgrade. It feels friendly and stress-free—no flashy 3D or janky art, just solid visuals that get out of your way. The only minor gripe: a couple of typos in menus, but those don’t negate the overall charm.
Sound and Music
Sound is simple but effective. You get a satisfying “clink” when you mine, a soft chime when you unlock something, and gentle ambient cave drips in the background. The music loop is mellow and unobtrusive—perfect for pairing with coffee or a podcast. There’s no voice acting, but you won’t miss it. I will say that after a few hours the soundtrack can feel repetitive. A couple more tracks or dynamic tunes would keep things fresh.
Difficulty and Replayability
Keep on Mining! is super easy to start—no tricky mechanics or steep learning curves. If you’re new to incrementals, you’ll pick it up in minutes. That said, the late game turns into a slog. The more skilled you get, the more you’ll notice how slow those artifact drops become and how flat your upgrade gains feel. As for replay value, there’s only one mine layout and a fixed skill tree. Once you finish (or run out of steam), there isn’t much reason to dive back in—unless the devs add new content.
Bits of trivia
EagleEye Games is a small indie team of two, and they first teased Keep on Mining! during Steam Next Fest earlier this year. Fans have spotted hints of future updates—think deeper caverns, legendary artifact tiers, or more branching skills. Patch v1.02 already fixed some typos and tuned a few drop rates, so I’m hopeful that more content is on the way.
Final Thoughts
Keep on Mining! is a cozy little time-sink that nails the early dopamine rush. I’d happily recommend it if you’ve got a few bucks and want a stress-free mining sim for short sessions. Just don’t expect a grand finale or endless depth—plan for a few fun hours, then let it rest until the next update.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
