Miner Depths — Wiki

A reference for the game mechanics and content of Miner Depths.
It explains how the systems work — not how to play them optimally.
You'll figure that out yourself.

Core Mechanics

The goal is simple: dig as deep as you can.

Two things can kill you. Run out of fuel and it's over. Lose your hull integrity and it's over too.

The deeper you go, the harder the ground gets. It also gets hotter the further down you dig — and colder the higher you climb. Get lost and fail to make it back in time, and you risk running out of fuel along the way.

Caves can collapse. Land on the ground carelessly and you take damage. Deep in the rock sit gas pockets — mine into one and it explodes.

Cargo space is limited. Different ores weigh different amounts, and your engine has to be strong enough to lift the load. Tactics matter: what you take, how far you go, and when you turn back decide whether you make it back to the surface.

Buildings

Save Pillar: Saves the game. Serves as the start and return point.
Fuel Station: Where you refuel. Depending on the engine you've installed, the matching fuel type is offered — and a different price depending on the fuel.
Mining Market: Where finds are sold. Prices are fixed. You can sell everything at once or individually.
Item Store: Where one-time items like repair kits are bought.
Upgrade Workshop: Where the Miner is repaired and upgraded.
Vending Machine: A standalone machine. It sells three candies for emeralds, each granting its own permanent boost.

Ores

Depending on depth, ores and other finds of varying value can be found. Most occur in small and large veins and vary in weight. The engine has to be strong enough to lift a given amount of ore.

From the inventory, ore can be discarded at any time to free up storage.

Items

Some items come in a larger variant that has a stronger effect.

Mine Shaft: Can be placed. The Miner moves faster on mine shafts. Caves with mine shafts cannot collapse — not even during earthquakes.
Spare Fuel Tank: Refills part of the tank.
Instant Repair Kit: Instantly restores part of your health.
Repair Bots: Restore part of your health — more than the Instant Repair Kit, but spread out over a longer period.
Explosives: Blasts away ground and rock.
Sticky Bomb: Sticks where it's placed and blasts a path clear from there.
NOS: Gives the Miner a speed boost for a short time.
Shield Generator: Protects the Miner from damage for a certain time — per hit taken, up to a maximum value.
Teleporter: Teleports the Miner to the surface. Somewhere on the surface.
Coins: Exchanges emeralds for coins.
Emeralds: Premium currency. Can be mined underground or bought with real money — optional, not needed to play.

Upgrades

In the Upgrade Workshop, the Miner is repaired and re-equipped. Upgrades cost money. Components you've bought stay available and can be installed at any time — what you run, and when, is up to you.

Engine: Handles torque, acceleration and speed. A larger engine consumes more and produces more waste heat. Depending on the engine, a different fuel is required, at a different price.
Drill: Determines how efficiently and quickly you can dig through the ground.
Storage: Determines how much space is available for ores and finds.
Climate: Determines the Miner's cooling and heating capacity.
Hull: Determines the hull's durability.
Tank: Determines fuel capacity.