We need to go DEEPER TOO!Im aware of this game creator, they nice look 2D sprite based game, and they like to change the genre too. This game I got for free on steam, and I also played the first one on origin.
I dont remember the mechanic of first game, but i do remember it was streamlined metroidvania dungeon digger that alot to do the dig -> loot -> sell -> upgrade gameplay loop super smooth. At beginning you will dig the are super slow, but in late game you will have multiple tools that allow you to dig at blazing speed. There are several biome in the game, and it fairly small to explore all map which full of secret . With resource you from digging will allow you to purchase & install mods that you customized your passive abilities.
The game can be considered on smaller scale so the gameplay can finish within 7 hours if you focused on objective or 14 hours if you collect everything to 100% (which i did). The difficulty of this game fairly easy, but there are 1 very challenging trial that required to be good with platforming. The boss fight i think only like 3 times and despite you have multiple interesting tools, the combat are very basic. Despite the progression is freaking good, it was so late in the game that you will run out of enemy & place to dig.
If you get free on steam, i suggest just give it a try. You dont need to play 1st game, as the story is pretty basic. It is solid platformer metroidvania digger that keep you interested to keep going, but dont expect anything grand from it.