Strategy fans will get another chance to explore the underground chaos of Into the Slimy Mines as the roguelike tower defence game joins Steam’s upcoming Tower Defense Fest. The game, published by Wales Interactive and developed by Ant Workshop, is preparing for its full launch in May 2026 on PC and consoles.
Ant Workshop may already be familiar to Retrolike readers. The studio is also responsible for Dungeon Golf, a quirky hybrid of mini-golf and dungeon crawling we reviewed on Retrolike.net.
Dig, build, defend
Following its appearance during Steam Next Fest earlier this year, the team has refreshed the playable demo for Tower Defense Fest. The updated version allows players to once again descend into the slime-filled mines and experiment with new cards, strategies, and defensive setups.
Into the Slimy Mines combines tower defence mechanics with roguelike progression and a card-driven system. Instead of placing defences on a fixed map, players dig tunnels through the underground environment. Each excavation reshapes the battlefield and determines how incoming waves of enemies approach the mining rig.
The setup revolves around a crew of dwarven miners working for the less-than-sympathetic Ironkilt Intergalactic Industries. After crash-landing on a slime-infested moon, the surviving crew must dig through the mines, locate missing colleagues, and defend their rig against waves of hostile creatures.
Cards and combinations
The game’s card system drives most of the action. Dig cards allow players to carve out new tunnels, while other cards deploy cannons, gadgets, and defensive structures. Booster packs expand the deck and open the door to increasingly unusual combinations. Players can also align themselves with one of three factions -ANVIL, WARHAMMER, or PICKAXE – each offering its own approach to combat and defence.
As the mines expand, so do the threats. Slime waves grow more dangerous, forcing players to adapt their layout and combine turrets, blockades, lures, and gadgets to survive. The full game is scheduled to launch in May 2026 on PC via Steam, as well as on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Demo out now
We spent some time with the demo currently available on Steam and were surprised by how much depth the roguelite elements add to the tower defence gameplay. The card system introduces a large variety of options, unlocking different weapons, map expansions, and support machines that can dramatically change how each run plays out.
If the cards fall the right way, we will certainly take a closer look at the full release. Keep an eye on Retrolike when May comes around.
