Diggles: The Myth of Fenris

Diggles combines side-scrolling strategy with colony management. Players lead a tribe of dwarves called “Diggles” (known as “Wiggles” in the German version and “Gnomy” in the Russian version) on an underground mission to find and chain Fenris, Odin’s fiery dog.

Gameplay revolves around balancing survival, exploration, and technological advancement to complete the mission. Despite its quirky humor and unique challenges, Diggles demands meticulous planning and patience, offering an intensive micromanagement experience that can test players’ endurance.

In the game, Diggles excavate caves that serve as bases for workshops, quarters, and other essential facilities. Players must manage a strict work-and-rest cycle to prevent strikes and dissatisfaction. Progress involves unlocking tools, weapons, and advanced structures, ranging from stone axes to assault rifles and hoverboards. Over 100 items can be crafted, including equipment and entertainment facilities.

Each Diggle has a lifelong partner, and their descendants partially inherit the skills of their parents. The Diggles’ limited lifespan shifts the focus of progression more towards equipment development than individual growth. The game features linear progression divided into four increasingly difficult levels, with players encountering other clans, hostile creatures, and puzzles along the way.

Every action must be issued individually, as Diggles can remember only one task at a time. The lack of action queues forces players to micromanage every detail, complicating the administration of large colonies. Combat is click-based and straightforward, with limited ranged options that can lead to hazardous situations. Resource transportation is another challenge due to inventory constraints, often requiring the base to be relocated. Structures like ladders and elevators facilitate movement but require careful planning and resources. Beds, food, and entertainment are essential to maintain productivity and prevent strikes. Diggles cannot perform the same task continuously and need variety in their work. They also require rest every 12 minutes, adhering to a labor cycle reminiscent of unionized regulations.

Though combat is simple, the constant need to balance technological advancement, population growth, and the emotional demands of the Diggles keeps players on the brink of either success or total collapse. Even with just four levels, a complete campaign can take 40 to 60 hours due to the slow pacing and demanding management. A “turbo mode” speeds up gameplay but frequently causes crashes, necessitating regular saves and restarts.

We can say that Diggles is an ambitious game, but its execution often fails to respect players’ time. Despite its flaws, the game’s peculiar charm and a dedicated modding community have cemented its place in the hearts of nostalgic fans. With its unique mechanics and memorable absurdities, Diggles is a peculiar test of patience and determination, rewarding those who persevere with a distinctive narrative and a rare sense of accomplishment in strategy games.

In December 2020, the game was re-released for modern Windows. This version of Diggles featured additional development by General Arcade and was published by SNEG.

Progression

As mentioned, Diggles features four levels, each more challenging than the last. The journey follows a rigid linearity, requiring players to discover specific points of interest to progress:

• Level 1: introduces the basics of survival and the first “Ring of Giper.”
• Level 2: adds new challenges, including solving puzzles and interacting with dragons.
• Level 3 (Crystal): unlocks the remainder of the tech tree but increases management complexity.
• Final Level: an epic yet potentially frustrating experience due to the logistics involved.