This Day in Gaming: August 16, 2024
On August 16, 2024, while big-name sequels and live-service updates grabbed most of the attention, indie favorite Feed the Deep quietly made its debut. Yet, it proved something powerful—that solo developers can still shake up the roguelike genre in a big way. Interestingly, August 16th has often been a key date in gaming history. For example, back in 1992, SNK released Fatal Fury in Japanese arcades. In 2011, Valve dropped the first gameplay trailer for Portal 2. And in 2019, Steam Deck pre-orders sold out just hours after they opened. Now, with today’s release of Feed the Deep, that same bold spirit of innovation lives on.
About Feed the Deep
Created almost entirely by Luke Muscat—best known for Jetpack Joyride and Fruit Ninja—Feed the Deep is a Lovecraftian roguelike that drops you into ever-shifting undersea caverns. Your goal? Gather gold and mysterious resources, trade them at floating city outposts, improve your drill and diving suit, and ultimately “feed the Deep” to unlock eerie secrets hidden far below.
Gameplay Mechanics
- Procedural Depths: Each dive brings brand-new cave layouts—stalactite chambers, glowing grottos, and flooded tunnels filled with sea monsters.
- Resource Management: You’ll need to keep an eye on oxygen, drill health, and limited inventory while hunting for gold, rare minerals, and puzzling relics.
- Tactical Exploration: You can drop markers to track your descent or go full speed for risky but big rewards. Choosing between slow planning and greedy grabs shapes each dive.
- Upgrade Tree: Spend your loot on stronger drill bits, better suit features, sonar upgrades, and mystical items that twist the rules of physics—and sanity.
- Permadeath and Progression: Like classic roguelikes, death resets your run. However, any currency and blueprints you collect stick around, making every dive feel worthwhile.
Visuals and Audio
The game uses a stylish 2D look with hand-painted backgrounds, blending eerie beauty with unsettling dread. Shadows gather in deep caves, lit only by swaying anemones and floating spores. Meanwhile, the soundtrack—by award-winning composer Cedar Jones (Jetpack Joyride)—mixes pulsing synth beats with distant whale calls and haunting ambient sounds. This helps build a constant feeling of tension and wonder.
Community and Critical Reception of Feed the Deep
Soon after launch, Feed the Deep earned a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with 90% of 427 reviewers giving it a thumbs-up. Here’s what players love:
- Atmosphere
- “Every dive feels like stepping into the unknown—beautiful and scary at the same time.”
- Replayability
- “Caves change every time, and the upgrade system keeps me coming back.”
- Sound Design
- “The music and sound effects really sell that lonely, eerie vibe.”
That said, some areas could use polish:
- Performance Hiccups
- A few players reported frame rate drops in areas with lots of detail.
- Steep Learning Curve
- Early dives can be tough, especially if you’re new to roguelikes.
- UI Clarity
- Managing your inventory can get tricky when things get intense.
Still, most agree that Luke Muscat’s solo project offers a gripping mix of danger, exploration, and Lovecraft-inspired mystery.
Industry Impact
Feed the Deep launched at a time when solo-made games are gaining fresh attention. Its success shows that even small teams—or just one person—can take creative risks and win. By blending fast-paced digging (like in Dome Keeper) with classic roguelike systems, the game points to a future full of creative genre mashups.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a longtime roguelike fan or someone diving in for the first time, Feed the Deep delivers one of 2024’s most memorable undersea journeys. Thanks to its vivid art, moody soundscape, and deep upgrade system, the game offers a gripping adventure beneath the waves. However, it does ask for patience, quick thinking, and a bit of courage. If you’re craving a fresh indie hit with Lovecraft-style chills, this solo-developed gem is well worth your time.
