At first glance, Goblin Company seems like just another charming indie attempt to combine mining, survival, and cooperative gameplay. After spending a few hours underground, it becomes clear that there is something more here than just digging for resources. This is a game that manages to turn a seemingly simple task: finding a massive crystal deep within the mountain, into a series of hilarious, chaotic, and often completely unpredictable situations.
In the role of goblin workers, you are employed by a company that clearly doesn't care much about employee safety. Your task is to dig deeper, gather resources, build railway tracks, and keep the mining operation alive long enough for the expedition to be worthwhile. The concept sounds simple, but the game quickly starts throwing new challenges at the player. Darkness becomes an enemy as dangerous as the monsters or environmental threats, so you'll constantly be thinking about placing torches and maintaining safe routes through the mine.
The most interesting part of the gameplay loop is undoubtedly the construction of a rail network. As you dig tunnels, you simultaneously plan the logistics of the entire mine. Minecarts become the lifeblood of your operation, and every well-designed transport system brings a sense of satisfaction rarely found in smaller indie titles. In moments when everything works perfectly, Goblin Company reminds you of a simplified combination of Deep Rock Galactic and management simulations. In moments when nothing works as it should, it reminds you of a group of friends trying to assemble an IKEA wardrobe without instructions.
The cooperative component carries the bulk of the fun. The game supports up to four players, and that’s when its systems shine the most. Communication, task division, and improvisation are often more important than the actual equipment you possess. Solo play exists and is quite functional, but it's hard to shake the impression that Goblin Company is designed as a social experience.
Visually, the game doesn’t try to impress with photorealism, but that’s not its goal either. The cartoonish style, cute goblins, and colorful presentation fit well with the more relaxed tone of the adventure. The technical performance is generally stable, although occasional minor awkwardness typical of smaller productions can be noticed. Nothing that seriously disrupts the experience, but enough to remind you that a huge studio isn’t behind the project.
Goblin Company is not a revolution in the genre, nor will it overnight become a new hit like the biggest cooperative mining games. However, what it does, it does well enough to keep you playing for one more round, then another. If you have friends to explore the underground with and don’t mind a bit of organized chaos, this is one of those indie games that can pleasantly surprise you.
Sometimes, all it takes is to give a goblin a pickaxe, tracks, and a bad business policy. The fun will take care of the rest.
A copy of the PC version of the game was provided for review purposes by the development studio BitBorne Studio
