With charming visuals, a laidback soundtrack, and the satisfaction of controlled excavating, DIG VR looks to provide players an stress-free escape into the small town of Diglington
When most people think of virtual reality games, relaxing simulators are not usually the first genre that comes to mind. However, British developer Just Add Water is looking to change that perception with their upcoming title DIG VR. As the name implies, DIG VR puts you in the operator's seat of various heavy machinery to partake in some leisurely excavation across the quaint countryside town of Diglington.
Coming soon to Meta Quest 3, DIG VR invites you to unwind from the stresses of daily life by getting their hands dirty (virtually of course) with construction jobs both big and small. The game emphasizes a relaxed pace where carefully digging, clearing debris, and transporting loads around construction sites and locales around Diglington can provide a calming sense of satisfaction. With its jovial small town aesthetic and cheery soundtrack station DIG FM constantly playing, DIG VR sets out to make operating heavy machinery not only fun but stress-free. Well, after you master the controls, but more on that later.
You start your excavation career in DIG VR with a mini digger and take on introductory tutorials and initial jobs. However, as you complete contracts and grow your excavation business, bigger and more powerful machines can be unlocked. The different excavators not only vary in size and strength but also come equipped with an assortment of attachments that change how dirt and debris can be manipulated. Basic buckets, drills, grabbers and hammers are joined by specialized tools like concrete crushers and augers to help tackle increasingly demanding jobs. Further customization comes through an expansive collection of cosmetic options to customize your fleet however you like. You can attach different stickers to your diggers, color specific parts to your liking and more.
The controls in DIG VR aim to authentically replicate operating real-world excavation vehicles. Dual thumbsticks manipulate boom arms and buckets for precise excavating while additional inputs control driving and auxiliary functions. It takes practice to get a feel for the weight and torque of the machines, but mastering smooth and controlled movements is immensely satisfying.
Completing tasks efficiently and cleanly ensures high payments that can be put towards new equipment or customizations. There are two difficulty modes - Zen mode where you can take all the time you want and make as many mistakes as you want wthout getting penalized and Graded mode where you get earn more currency you can use for cosmetics but at the same time get penalized for your mistakes. It's really nice having these two modes as they offer different levels of challenge for all skill types.
While the core gameplay loop in DIG VR focuses on single-player excavation contracts, co-op and competitive multiplayer modes are planned to be added. There are also some additional side activities beyond the core jobs like some interesting mini-games that serve as a nice distraction in-between jobs. Additionally, a sandbox area lets you freely explore and practice maneuvers without restrictions or timers adding to DIG VR's stress-free experience.
In terms of presentation, DIG VR offers a charming visual style fitting for its laidback simulator themes. You find yourself in the quaint countryside setting of Diglington, where colorful buildings and idyllic landscapes create a pleasant small-town vibe. Local residents and routines can be observed going about their daily lives throughout each construction site. The various excavation machines are realistically detailed down to controls, with improvements showcasing as careers progress. Accompanying it all is DIG FM, providing a fun audio experience with genres like lo-fi, classical and country keeping players entertained during jobs. Menus and HUD elements continue DIG VR's relaxed sim aesthetic. An emphasis on organic, believable environments rather than photorealism ensures it runs smoothly on Quest 3 hardware while maintaining immersion. Combined, these presentation elements reinforce DIG VR's goal of providing a calming virtual experience of operating heavy machinery.
Overall, DIG VR sets out to be more than just another virtual reality simulator. Its emphasis on relaxation and enjoyment of operating heavy machinery sets it apart from high intensity games. With charming visuals, a laidback soundtrack, and the satisfaction of controlled excavating, DIG VR looks to provide players an stress-free escape into the small town of Diglington. Its authentic controls and increasingly complex jobs as you grow your business ensure there is gameplay progression for those wanting challenge too. For fans of zen simulators like PowerWash Simulator or peaceful sandbox building, DIG VR could be a welcoming addition to Quest 3's library this year.
The game was previewed on a Quest 3 via a promo copy provided by the developers. DIG VR will be available on Meta Quest.
