Is the New "Deeper Underground" DLC for Turmoil Worth Your Time?




Turmoil
, the indie hit from 2016, made waves with its simple yet addictive take on the 19th-century oil boom. The Heat is On DLC in 2018 added fresh mechanics and a new campaign, boosting its popularity even further. Now, six years later, Gamious has released a new DLC, Deeper Underground. But what does this new content bring, and is it worth jumping back into the oil-soaked chaos? Let’s break it down.

Back to Basics: The World of Turmoil

For those who missed it, Turmoil transports players to the Wild West, where the aim is to strike it rich drilling for oil. With a mix of strategy and resource management, the game captures the thrills and challenges of the oil rush era as players dig, upgrade, and hustle to become the wealthiest tycoon. Deeper Underground builds on this core, with some new mechanics that spice up the classic gameplay loop.

What’s New in Deeper Underground?

  1. It’s Shorter
    Fans who waited six years for new content may find Deeper Underground a bit brief compared to the base game or even The Heat is On DLC. There’s a sense that it ends too quickly—after finishing the campaign, you get a simple “game over” without any bonus level or extra content. For players who loved Turmoil, this may feel underwhelming, but if you’re here for fresh mechanics, there’s still a lot to enjoy.

  2. The New Petrol Mechanic
    One big shift is the option to refine oil into petrol, which usually sells for much more. This added layer of strategy is both a challenge and a reward—there’s a bit of a learning curve, but with some practice, you can rack up profits. Managing the switch between oil and petrol may take some getting used to, but for me, it’s a welcome challenge.

  3. Water Management
    Water is a new and crucial resource in Deeper Underground, serving multiple purposes. It can reduce drilling costs and is essential for refinery operation. But running out of water is bad news: an overheated refinery will break down, cutting off your petrol supply. This added water mechanic makes for a more involved gameplay experience, although a refinery capacity upgrade would have been helpful to ease the challenge.

  4. Digging Deeper Mode
    In Digging Deeper mode, the goal is to dig as far down as possible, reaching depth targets to unlock cash rewards. Every 100 meters earns you $5,000, adding up as you break through layers of rock and strategically avoid indestructible diamond rocks. With the added income from petrol, there’s a good balance between expenses and income, although some players have found the mode repetitive over time.

     


     

Player Feedback: A Mixed Bag

Some players love the new mechanics, while others have voiced frustrations. Complaints range from challenges with the petrol mechanic to criticisms about the game’s difficulty level. I’ve noticed that some criticisms could be attributed to personal taste and learning curve rather than gameplay flaws. If you’re struggling with some mechanics, a few practice rounds can make all the difference.

That said, the DLC could have benefited from more in-depth tutorials, especially for new features like petrol refining. A clearer breakdown of these mechanics might have made it easier for players to jump into the new content smoothly.

Art, Optimization, and Performance

There aren’t many changes in art style or music, and Deeper Underground retains the well-optimized, clean design of the base game. It’s still the Turmoil we know and love, with smooth gameplay and simple but charming visuals that fit the game’s tone well.


 

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

For those who loved Turmoil and enjoy learning new mechanics, Deeper Underground is likely to provide a few extra hours of satisfying gameplay. The petrol mechanic adds a fresh twist, and while Digging Deeper mode could use a bit more excitement, the DLC as a whole offers a fun extension to the game’s core.

In short, if you’re a fan of Turmoil, this new DLC could be well worth checking out. Just keep in mind that it’s more of a “side dish” than a full-fledged sequel.

Link to the game: HERE
Link to video about the game: HERE

 

Comments