Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Diggles: The Myth of Fenris places you in control of a tribe of industrious dwarves—affectionately called “wiggles”—tasked with excavating a sprawling underground network in search of the legendary wolf Fenris. Viewed from a side perspective that evokes an ant farm, the game blends real-time strategy with resource management and light simulation elements. You assign individual wiggles to digging, crafting, researching, or combat roles, carefully balancing your tribe’s needs for food, shelter, and tools as you burrow ever deeper.

One of Diggles’ core strengths is its freedom of approach. While the primary objective is to locate and capture Fenris for Odin, most missions can be completed through peaceful means: negotiating with underground inhabitants, fulfilling trade agreements, or solving environmental puzzles. However, for players who prefer a more aggressive playstyle, a robust combat system allows you to arm your wiggles with weapons and armor, rally them for skirmishes, and wage subterranean war against rival tribes and monstrous threats.

The learning curve is moderate: newcomers might feel overwhelmed by the number of resources to juggle and the myriad of wiggle abilities to unlock. Over time, though, the intuitive drag-and-drop interface and clear task icons make micromanagement manageable. Random events—cave-ins, unexpected monster raids, or resource shortages—keep you on your toes, ensuring that no two playthroughs unfold in exactly the same way.

Graphics

Graphically, Diggles opts for a charming, hand-drawn 2D aesthetic that perfectly complements its ant farm style. Each layer of earth you excavate reveals new textures and vibrant geological strata, from moist soil to glowing magma veins. The wiggles themselves are delightfully animated, their oversized helmets and beards lending them an endearing, almost toy-like appearance.

Animations are smooth and satisfying. When a dwarf strikes rock with his pickaxe, you see chips of stone scatter realistically; when he crafts a new tool, the little forging sparks are a welcome flourish. Lighting effects around geothermal hotspots and lava flows add depth and atmosphere to the subterranean caverns, creating a sense of both wonder and peril as you delve deeper.

The user interface, while somewhat busy, is logically organized. Resource counters, dwarf status panels, and mini-maps nestle neatly along the screen edges, allowing you to keep track of your tribe’s well-being without obscuring the view of your tunnels. Customizable color filters help when you’re navigating particularly complex networks of shafts and chambers.

Story

At its heart, Diggles weaves a Norse mythos around the pursuit of Fenris, the fiery wolf whose capture is said to bring Odin one step closer to averting Ragnarok. Rather than a linear narrative, the story unfolds organically through mission briefings, in-game dialogue, and environmental cues. Ancient runestones hidden in the depths deliver cryptic lore, while rival dwarven clans challenge your authority, each encounter adding layers to the unfolding saga.

Although the plot itself is lightweight, it benefits greatly from the emergent storytelling generated by your wiggles’ actions. A peaceful expedition might see you forging alliances with troglodyte merchants, while a warlike approach can provoke full-scale sieges, complete with heroic last-stand moments. These organic twists give you genuine ownership of the tale, making every triumph and setback feel personally earned.

Secondary objectives—rescuing lost explorers, uncovering hidden caverns, or appeasing temperamental elemental spirits—add side stories that enrich the overall narrative tapestry. By the time you stand before Fenris’s molten den, you’ve amassed a trove of memories that elevate the final confrontation from a simple boss fight to the climactic chapter of your own dwarven saga.

Overall Experience

Diggles: The Myth of Fenris offers a compelling fusion of strategy, simulation, and light role-playing, all wrapped in a whimsical Norse wrapper. Its ant farm–style presentation and cuddly dwarves belie the depth of challenge beneath, making each decision—peaceful negotiation or martial conquest—carry genuine weight. Whether you prefer meticulous resource juggling or the thrill of subterranean battles, the game delivers satisfying progression.

That said, the high level of micromanagement can feel daunting for players unaccustomed to base-building titles. The interface, though logically laid out, sometimes requires sifting through multiple panels to find the right command. Occasional path-finding hiccups among wiggles can also introduce minor frustrations during critical moments.

On balance, Diggles succeeds in crafting a vibrant underground world teeming with personality and discovery. Its combination of strategic depth, endearing visuals, and flexible playstyles makes it a standout for fans of management and exploration alike. For anyone intrigued by dwarven lore, Norse myth, or ant-farm-style strategy, Diggles: The Myth of Fenris is well worth delving into.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10