Going Under is an action indie roguelite dungeon crawler set in a satirical take on tech startup culture. Players control an unpaid intern named Jackie who descends into the cursed ruins of failed companies beneath the city of Neo-Cascadia. The core loop involves repeated runs through procedural dungeons where office supplies and everyday objects serve as weapons against cursed employees turned monsters.
Gameplay
Combat emphasizes flexibility and resource management. Nearly any item in the environment functions as a weapon, including laptops, brooms, and body pillows. These improvised tools deliver light and heavy attacks before breaking, forcing players to switch frequently and adapt to the situation. Dedicated weapons appear as well but share the same durability limit. Rooms connect in random layouts filled with enemies themed around specific failed ventures such as gig work, dating apps, and cryptocurrency schemes.
Progression ties into a meta system centered on skills. Players discover new abilities during runs and unlock them permanently by training at an in-game cafe. Frequent use of a skill grants an endorsement that lets it appear at the start of future expeditions. Combining endorsed skills creates powerful synergies across runs. Side activities include completing tasks for co-workers to build clout and unlock bonuses, while shopkeepers and a curse-trading vendor provide temporary power at a cost.
Game Modes
The primary experience consists of single-player roguelite runs through three distinct startup-themed dungeons. Each run lasts roughly thirty minutes and features randomly generated rooms, enemy placements, and item spawns. Players aim to reach the boss at the bottom, defeat the founder, and return with a relic that strengthens the parent company.
A hard mode added in a post-launch update remixes the dungeons with increased difficulty and altered layouts. This variant challenges experienced players who have already mastered the base systems and endorsed skill pool. No cooperative or competitive multiplayer options exist.
Story and Progression
The narrative unfolds through exploration and character interactions. Jackie works for Fizzle, a carbonated drink startup owned by the larger Cubicle corporation known for its shipping drones. By clearing dungeons and completing co-worker tasks, players uncover the motives behind the corporate structure and the origins of the cursed ruins. Boss encounters pit players against the founders of the ruined startups, whose relics provide permanent upgrades upon return to the surface.
Character relationships deepen through repeated runs. Unlocking bonuses from co-workers reveals more about Neo-Cascadia and the broader corporate world. The satire targets gig economy pressures, venture capital excess, and subscription models without interrupting the action.
Is It Worth Playing?
Going Under suits players who enjoy roguelite dungeon crawlers with strong humor and experimental combat. The flexible weapon system and skill endorsement mechanics reward experimentation and multiple attempts. Reviews consistently highlight the sharp writing and distinctive art style as standout features that keep runs engaging even after several completions.
The game launched in 2020 and received post-launch content including the Working From Home update, which introduced new weapons, outfits, locations, and the hard mode. No further major seasons or expansions followed, leaving the experience in a complete but static state. It remains available on PC as a one-time purchase with no ongoing live-service elements.
- Fans of satirical indie action games will appreciate the focused critique of startup culture woven into every system.
- Players seeking deep roguelite progression through skills and meta-upgrades will find satisfying long-term goals.
- Those who prefer cooperative play or frequent content updates may want to look elsewhere.
Overall, the title delivers a concise, self-contained experience that stands out for its thematic consistency and inventive combat rather than scale or ongoing support.
