Pit of Goblin is a cooperative survival game built around exploring a dangerous underground environment and keeping a rather demanding queen fed. Unfortunately, it seems the developers decided that explaining how anything works would spoil the adventure. You’re dumped into the experience with little guidance, questionable controls and the general impression that you’ve arrived halfway through somebody else’s evening.
Gaming Heaven
There is some entertainment buried beneath the confusion. Playing with a decent group of mates can produce some genuinely funny moments, particularly when unexpected rats appear or somebody gets volunteered for an impromptu trip towards the food supply. The basic premise has potential, and the chaos of trying to survive together can create memorable situations.
The low asking price also makes it easier to forgive some of the rough edges. When everything clicks, there’s a decent bit of silly cooperative fun to be had. Sadly, that’s a rather substantial condition.
Gaming Hell
The absence of a tutorial is baffling. You’re left guessing whether to buy a torch, pick up a rock or operate an elevator, apparently expected to develop these skills through divine intervention. Conversations with characters eventually establish that feeding the queen is your main objective, but getting there feels unnecessarily laborious.
The controls are awkward, the graphics are rough and the lighting can make exploring feel like trying to find your keys in a coal bunker. Playing alone or relying on random players isn’t particularly appealing either. Unless you’ve got the right group of friends available, the whole experience can become painfully dull. Minor technical problems only add to the general lack of polish.
Final Judgement
Pit of Goblin has a decent idea, but it’s buried beneath poor communication, clumsy presentation and an unhealthy dependence on having several mates online. Its funniest moments are entertaining, but they’re not enough to rescue the experience. At least it doesn’t cost a fortune, because asking players to pay premium money for this level of confusion would be taking the mickey.
