“Below” asks a simple question: what will you give up to get what you want? The answer is almost always everything. That’s the whole game in a nutshell.
Developed by Capybara Games and released for PS4, PC and Xbox One in 2018, “Below” is a multiplayer dungeon crawler built around sacrifice. You enter a networked mine, find treasure, and make deals with other players to get out alive. It sounds easy. It isn’t.
A Networked Mine
The premise is straightforward. You are a miner descending into a networked dungeon to retrieve gold and gems. Each level is procedurally generated, meaning the layout changes every time you play. You collect resources, fight enemies, and solve puzzles to move forward. The catch is that you are not playing alone. Other players are also in the mine, and they can interfere with your progress.
This is the core of “Below.” The game is designed to pit players against each other, forcing you to decide who to trust and who to sabotage. It’s a clever idea, but it also creates friction. The game runs on a server that connects multiple players, and you never know who is friend or foe until they act.
Trust and Betrayal
The game is built around trust and betrayal. You can trade resources with other players, but there is no way to verify whether they are telling the truth. A player might offer you a healing item in exchange for your gold, and you have no way to know if they are being honest. The result is a constant state of paranoia.
This is the kind of tension that makes “Below” compelling. You are always wondering whether the person you just traded with is about to stab you in the back. It’s a clever use of multiplayer design, and it gives the game a sense of urgency that single-player games rarely achieve.
But the system is not perfect. Sometimes the game fails to connect you with other players, leaving you to descend alone. That breaks the experience. The game is best when you are surrounded by other players, and it falls flat when you are isolated.
The Mining Loop
The actual gameplay loop is simple. You dig through the ground, find resources, and use them to craft tools and weapons. The controls are minimal, and the game is easy to pick up. But the simplicity hides a deeper problem.
The levels themselves are not particularly varied. Most of the time, you are digging through dirt, fighting enemies, and finding the same handful of items. The repetition can wear thin over time, especially when you are playing solo.
When you are connected to other players, the loop becomes more engaging. You are constantly looking over your shoulder, wondering who is behind you. That adds a layer of excitement that the solo loop lacks.
The Gold Rush
The goal of “Below” is to collect enough gold and gems to escape the mine. This is where the game’s central mechanic comes into focus. You need to gather resources, but you also need to protect them from other players who want the same thing.
This creates a constant tug-of-war. You are trying to accumulate wealth while also defending yourself from those who would take it from you. The game forces you to balance greed with caution, and that balance is often difficult to strike.
There are also timed events that add pressure. Certain enemies spawn randomly, and you have to deal with them quickly before they overwhelm you. These moments test your resource management and force you to make quick decisions.
“Below” is a game about trust, and it does not let you off easy.”
A Short Journey
“Below” is a short game. A full playthrough takes around an hour, and the game is best enjoyed in short bursts. There is no campaign, no story, and no extended content. What you get is a loop, and you keep coming back to it.
That brevity works in the game’s favor. It means you can jump in, play a few matches, and leave without feeling like you wasted too much time. But it also means the game does not have much longevity. Once you have played a few sessions, there is little left to discover.
The lack of a longer structure is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it keeps the game tight and focused. On the other hand, it limits replay value. You will likely exhaust the core loop within a few hours.
A Fractured Experience
The multiplayer aspect is both the game’s greatest strength and its biggest weakness. The game shines when you are connected to other players, but it falters when you are not. The solo mode is thin, and the game’s reliance on networking means it can feel incomplete when the connections fail.
The game’s difficulty curve is also uneven. Some levels are brutally hard, requiring precise timing and careful planning. Others are trivially easy, offering little challenge beyond basic enemy encounters. This inconsistency can frustrate players who expect a steady progression.
The sound design is sparse but effective. The ambient music and enemy noises create a tense atmosphere, and the game’s visual style is distinct. It is a game that looks and sounds like nothing else on the market.
Comparing the Platforms
“Below” launched on three platforms, and each version offers a slightly different experience. The PS4 version is the most polished, with the smoothest online connection. The PC version offers the best performance, thanks to faster load times and higher frame rates. The Xbox One version is the weakest, with occasional connectivity issues and slower loading times.
| Platform | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| PS4 | Smooth online connection | Higher price point |
| PC | Best performance | Requires setup |
| Xbox One | Good for parties | Occasional connectivity issues |
The game’s cross-platform support is limited. You can only play with other players on the same platform, so a PS4 player cannot team up with an Xbox One player. This reduces the potential player pool, which is disappointing given the game’s multiplayer focus.
The Final Verdict
“Below” is a game that succeeds in creating a unique multiplayer experience but struggles with its solo loop. The trust mechanic is clever, and the tension it generates is genuinely exciting. But the game’s brevity and uneven difficulty curve hold it back.
The game is best enjoyed in short bursts with friends. It is not a game you sit down with for a marathon session. It is a game you dip into, play a few matches, and then put away.
“Below” is a game worth playing, but it is not a game that will appeal to everyone. If you enjoy multiplayer games that require strategy and trust, you will find plenty to love here. If you prefer a longer, more structured experience, you may find yourself disappointed.
The game holds a 7.0/10 score, reflecting this split. It is a solid effort with a great idea at its core, but it does not quite live up to its potential.
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