*MSRP: $19.99 (Steam) – https://store.steampowered.com/app/951440/Volcanoids/
Volcanoids is a survival crafting game with an interesting premise. Every thirty minutes or so (on easy mode), the volcano in the middle of the island will erupt. This is very bad news if you’re on the surface but thankfully you can take a drill ship and submerge it underground.
The drill ship is not just a method of transportation. It is a mobile platform that will store your materials, let you research and craft new weapons, technology, and drill ship modules. The intelligent modular design lets you attach components on walls and ceilings to give you access to more functionality or utility, such as turrets to help you defend against robot attacks. Speaking of robot attacks, the entire island is infested with very annoying, and very aggressive, robots. Someone needs a Snickers.
You have the standard survival crafting fair such as harvesting minerals and tech resources from nodes. You can also submerge the drill ship and pilot it while underground to collect resources as well. As you progress, you will be able to upgrade your drill ship to allow it to dig through harder materials, giving you access to more areas on the island.
The recently added co-op mode is a pleasant addition, as playing with friends is significantly more enjoyable than going it alone.
Overall, Volcanoids is a diamond in the rough. It still looks a little bit rough, sounds rough, and feels a little bit unpolished but there are enough interesting new mechanics to entice fans of survival crafting.
Ducky Obrien 