What is it
Dig Out! is an app game on Android and iOS. Control a miner in a 2D world, digging gems while avoiding falling boulders and monsters. The game is similar to many others I’ve seen, but this one is polished and developed much more, giving it high replay value.
The game has an infinite number of randomly generated maps, ways to level up and trap monsters, and competitive leaderboard to compete with others or against previous scores.
Who is it for
Anyone can play, but from my experience, the age that enjoys it the most is 6 to 9.
Apple rates the game 9+ while Google rates it Everyone. Our 7-year-old loves it.
What Kids Like
I should point out that of all the games we’ve downloaded to the tablet or phone over the past year or so, this is one of the top 5 that gets replayed the most. (Others include Tiny Rails, Plants vs. Zombies, Whoowasit, Clumsy Ninja, and of course, Minecraft).
I’m not sure what the kids like exactly, but I think it’s the random generation of levels that keeps it fresh, along with the simplicity of the controls. Also, the game permits very quick games or extended ones.
The graphics are very appealing as well.
What Parents Like
Although one aspect of the game is crushing enemies under rocks, the cartoony graphics and otherwise non-violent content makes the game harmless fun.
There is not much to the game in terms of education, other than the kind of problem-solving in most computer games.
What the Critics Think
The game gets 4.6/5 on iTunes and 4.5/5 on the Play Store
Concerns/Flaws
The game is not educational, doesn’t encourage cooperation or anything like that. It’s “just” fun.
The game has ads and in-app purchases, so parents need to keep an eye on that.
Who Made it/History
Dig Out! was made by ZiMAD, an established Russian game developer best known for their Magic Jigsaw Puzzles
The game was launched in 2016 and has been tweaked multiple times since then.
Where Can I Get it
Available on Apple’s iTunes for iOS and Google’s Play Store for Android.