Return from Core
Mine, build, and explore with Monster Girl companions in this underground sandbox adventure. Uncover lost tech, automate production, and forge bonds with allies as you fight to survive and journey back to the surface.
Does this feel indie?
Vote based on whether this game feels indie to you. You can change your vote at any time. Results earn an IGF score after 10 accepted votes.| ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan. | Status | Notes Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes |
|---|---|---|
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer. | ||
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher. | Shochiku is a publicly traded media company. | |
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified. | Shochiku is a publicly traded media company. | |
Updated: Jul 13, 2026FundingThe known source of funding behind the game. | Shochiku provides the corporate publishing relationship for this release. | |
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released. | 2P Games; Shochiku is listed as a separate publisher for this release. |
Media
11 itemsAbout the Game
Feature Summary
Mine endlessly – Swing your pickaxe or blast entire mineral veins for resources
Explore a vast underground world – Discover secrets of humanity’s downfall
Befriend Monster Girls – Gain allies with unique abilities for battle and life
Build your base – Craft, decorate, and create a home underground
Automate production – Unlock machines and logistics to accelerate progress
Fight powerful enemies – Explore dangerous ruins and forgotten technologies
Full Description
After surface civilization's destruction, you're an underground survivor exploring a world of unknowns and dangers. Wield your pickaxe, explore ruins, befriend Monster Girls, build automated production lines, construct your base, and return to the surface!
Grip your pickaxe and extract abundant underground resources. Chip away at rock walls or use powerful explosives to blast entire mineral veins - enjoy the satisfying destruction. Collect ores and rare materials to fuel construction, production, and equipment upgrades.
Meet Monster Girls with unique abilities during your underground adventures. Each has distinct personalities, but earn their trust and they become powerful combat allies with special exploration skills. They also help at your base with farming, cooking, gathering, and production - boosting your survival efficiency.
The vast underground hides countless secrets and dangers. From deep caverns to forgotten human ruins, fight alongside Monster Girls against powerful creatures, discover scattered lost technologies, and uncover the truth behind humanity's downfall.
Start with just a pickaxe, but master lost technologies to create powerful machinery. Construct automated production and logistics systems to power the super drill and accelerate your surface return.
In this sunless world, a comfortable, functional base ensures survival. Build workbenches, craft furniture, plan production and living areas, defend against underground creatures, and transform a crude cave into a warm home with your Monster Girl companions.
Take up your pickaxe, join your Monster Girl companions, explore underground secrets, and become the first human to return to the surface!
