Deal | Steam: Roguelike with an addictive trench defense loop playable for free for a limited time

Dome Keeper blends two elements that rarely go hand in hand – peaceful resource gathering and intense defense. The roguelike drops players on an alien planet, where their only protection is a mysterious dome that gives the game its name. Beneath it, players dig tunnels, mine resources, and unlock upgrades. Above ground, they must hold off increasingly powerful waves of enemies.

In Dome Keeper, time is your greatest enemy. Stay underground for too long, and you may return to a dome that is unprepared for the next attack. Surface too early, and you risk missing crucial upgrades. This constant balancing act is what makes the game so engaging – and ensures that no two runs ever feel the same. Lose the dome, and it’s back to square one. After all, it’s still a roguelike.

Playtesters from Testing Buddies took a closer look at Dome Keeper and described its blend of digging and defense as “addictive.” As players progress, they unlock larger maps, new characters, tools, and game modes – adding significant replay value. The testers noted that the late game could benefit from slightly larger maps and more resource types, but that did not stop them from awarding the game an impressive 9 out of 10.

Reception on Steam is equally positive: Dome Keeper holds a 92% approval rating based on around 18,000 user reviews. On Metacritic, the game fares less favorably, with a Metascore of 76 and a User Score of 7.5. Common criticisms include limited content, repetitive gameplay, and balance issues. However, these scores are based on a relatively small sample – just eight critic reviews and 65 user ratings. On the plus side, the roguelike is Steam Deck Verified (available on Amazon for $750), meaning it should also run smoothly on other handheld PCs.

Free weekend on Steam

If you’re curious about Dome Keeper, this weekend is the perfect time to jump in. The roguelike is free to play until January 12 – and if it wins you over, you can pick it up at 60% off, its lowest price yet according to SteamDB.

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