Who would’ve thought that Deep Rock Galactic would ever grow beyond the original game. If the recent release of Rogue Core made you interested in the series, there must be one question lingering in your mind: which DRG should you start with?
The original Deep Rock Galactic remains the best first step, since the other entries play with the formula in different ways. After that, the choice comes down to preference. DRG Survivor simplifies the gameplay into a Bullet Heaven format, while Rogue Core branches off into a more demanding roguelite experience.
Let’s Dive Into Details
Each game in the series offers a different take on the Deep Rock Galactic formula, whether you want classic co-op mining missions, streamlined solo runs, or high-pressure roguelite action.
TL;DR
Start with the original Deep Rock Galactic. It is the most complete and balanced entry in the series, and the best way to understand what makes the franchise work. After that, choose Survivor for simpler solo play or Rogue Core for a faster, tougher roguelite spin-off.
Table of contents
Deep Rock Galactic
Accessibility: Medium
Value for money: High
Singleplayer: Yes, with optional support drone
Multiplayer: Co-op up to 4 players
The original remains a fantastic place to start, whether you already enjoy first-person action games or are simply curious about the series. After years of updates, it is polished, content-rich, and extremely fair in how it treats players.
It also offers excellent variety. Multiple biomes introduce their own risks and opportunities, mission types change the rhythm of play, and special assignments add extra structure. Free seasons remain permanently available and bring their own objectives, while cosmetic customization and flexible loadouts add even more long-term appeal.
Deep Rock Galactic
Release Date: May 13, 2020
Genres: Looter Shooter
The core gameplay loop is simple but effective. You descend from a space station into the interior of a planet to mine valuable resources or operate deployed machinery. Alien wildlife regularly interrupts the process, so in addition to mobility and mining tools, you also bring weapons. These depend on the class you choose, with four classes available.
You can approach missions in a relaxed or highly committed way. As long as you complete the main objective, there is room to play at your own pace. The difficulty scaling helps, and many mission types can feel relatively low-stress.
Developer Ghost Ship Games also continues to release new content, including biomes and cosmetics-heavy seasons that remain free and permanently accessible. The only real requirement is that you enjoy first-person gameplay, since there is no third-person option.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
Accessibility: High
Value for money: Medium
Singleplayer: Yes
Multiplayer: None
DRG Survivor combines some of the original game’s ideas, such as destructible environments, mining, and mission-based objectives, with the Bullet Heaven formula of auto-firing weapons, roguelite progression, and a more distant camera perspective.
It is a solo-only game focused on a single space dwarf and a loyal drone descending through multi-stage environments to mine resources and eliminate alien threats. While there are additional mission structures, boss elimination remains central to the experience.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Genres: Bullet Heaven
Because missions are relatively short, controls are simple, and the gameplay loop is easy to understand, Survivor is probably the most accessible game in the DRG lineup. That does not mean it is always easy, since it is still possible to get overwhelmed or miss extraction windows, but it is very easy to jump into for a quick run.
Its long-term appeal is a little harder to judge. It launched with plenty to unlock, and it recently received DLC adding a new class, biome, and mission type, but it still feels more finite than the mainline game.
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core
Accessibility: Medium
Value for money: TBD
Singleplayer: Yes
Multiplayer: Up to 4 players
Finally, there is Rogue Core, the newest entry in the series, launched into Early Access on May 20. Its foundation is close to the original DRG, with first-person action and distinct classes, although this time there are five instead of four.
The biggest changes come from its roguelite structure. Most important gear and upgrades are acquired during each run, and the baseline experience is faster, harder, and more build-focused than the more relaxed pace of standard Deep Rock Galactic missions.
Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Genres: FPS
There is also less room for leisurely exploration. Threat levels increase as a mission continues, and players who waste time are likely to be overwhelmed. Teamwork matters more as well, since some upgrades require substantial resource gathering or shared effort to repair broken machinery.
Because of that, Rogue Core may be less accessible than the other games in the franchise. It is also the least feature-complete right now, simply because it is a fresh Early Access release. Still, Ghost Ship Games has a strong track record when it comes to long-term support, so there is little reason to worry about future quality or content.
Diggy, Diggy Hole
Deep Rock Galactic is a series with a surprising amount of range, and so far that potential has not gone to waste. The best recommendation is still to start with the original game and decide how much you enjoy its core gameplay.
If you do, get your money’s worth there first, then look toward Rogue Core, which pushes harder into the tense action, stronger builds, and tighter teamwork of high-level DRG play.
If you do not enjoy the original’s gameplay but still like the setting and tone, DRG Survivor is the better next step. It follows a completely different, lower-commitment structure while keeping much of the same stylistic identity.
The two spin-offs could hardly be more different in gameplay terms, which means either one might click for you, or even both. And if you end up loving the whole thing and also enjoy tabletop games, the Deep Rock Galactic board game might be worth a look too.
Now go forth and bring profits to the Deep Rock Galactic mining company.