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About Hydroneer
Hydroneer is a sandbox mining game where players excavate gold and other resources to construct large hydro‑powered machines and a personal base. The game uses a voxel terrain system that lets you shape caves, quarries, and even mud mountains while uncovering deeper relics for better rewards.
Progression is driven by a modular building system: you design hydro‑pipe networks, craft tools, grow food, and create items ranging from weapons to jewellery. Multiplayer modes let friends cooperate in shared or split‑screen sessions, while Steam features such as achievements and cloud saves support solo play.
01 / THE GUIDE
Voxel Terrain Modelling
Hydroneer employs a state‑of‑the‑art voxel terrain system that allows players to dig, carve, and reshape the world. You can create cave networks, quarry pits, or mud mountains as you explore. The deeper you dig, the better the relic rewards you may discover.
The terrain reacts to your tools and machines, enabling dynamic changes that affect future mining operations. This flexibility supports both small‑scale digs and massive excavation projects.
- Start with shallow digs to locate easy ore before committing to deep excavations.
- Use the voxel system to plan efficient routes for later hydro‑powered machines.
02 / THE GUIDE
Hydro‑Powered Machinery
Large hydro‑powered machines perform tasks such as digging, transporting goods, and locating ore veins. These machines draw power from a modular hydro‑pipe network you build and control. Their size and function scale with your base’s development.
Machines can be customized and expanded, allowing players to evolve their operation from primitive tools to advanced equipment as they progress through the tycoon‑style system.
- Balance pipe pressure to keep machines running efficiently.
- Upgrade machines gradually to match the increasing depth of your mines.

03 / THE GUIDE
Base Construction and Modular Design
Players design their own base of operations using a dynamic modular system. Structures, hydro pipes, and workstations can be arranged to optimise workflow. The modular approach lets you expand or reconfigure as new tools become available.
Base design also influences access to nearby parcels of land, each offering different scenery, pit depth, and store proximity, giving strategic choices for expansion.
- Place storage near entry points to reduce travel time for resources.
- Consider future pipe routes when positioning early structures.
04 / THE GUIDE
Crafting, Cooking, and Survival
Beyond mining, Hydroneer lets you craft resources, weaponry, jewellery, and even grow vegetables. Cooking soup for villagers is part of the survival aspect, providing sustenance while you work. These activities diversify gameplay and add depth to the progression system.
Crafted items can be used to enhance mining efficiency or traded, integrating the economy with the core excavation loop.
- Grow vegetables early to ensure a steady food supply.
- Craft jewellery for higher‑value sales when you need extra cash.
05 / THE GUIDE
Multiplayer and Co‑op Features
Hydroneer supports single‑player, multiplayer, and co‑op play, including shared or split‑screen modes. Friends can join your mining operation, share resources, and build together. Steam features such as Remote Play Together and Cloud saves enhance the collaborative experience.
The game also includes Steam achievements, trading cards, and workshop support, offering additional community‑driven content and goals.
- Use split‑screen co‑op to divide tasks like digging and crafting.
- Enable Remote Play Together for seamless online collaboration.





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