If you have ever caught yourself meticulously power-washing a driveway in PowerWash Simulator or endlessly carving out tunnels in A Game About Digging a Hole, get ready to find your next gaming obsession.

Indie publisher Black Lantern Collective has officially announced Alien Archeologist, a quirky, satisfying, and mystery-laden incremental digging game that sends you off to the rusty red crust of Mars. Developed by TheClassifiedX, the title drops you into the boots of a solo spacefaring prospector tasked with excavating deep beneath the Martian surface to uncover what your mysterious employers are so desperate to find.

Dig, Restore, Upgrade, Repeat

Alien Archeologist takes the addictive loop of incremental progression and combines it with tactile, satisfying restoration mechanics.

Here is what you can look forward to as you sink your shovel into the dirt:

• Unearth Hidden History: Dig beneath the soil to discover relics and remnants from an ancient, lost alien civilisation.
• Meticulous Restoration: Uncovering an artefact is only half the fun. Bring your finds back to the surface to spray off dirt, chip away grime, and polish each piece until it gleams. If you love the satisfying, dust-clearing gameplay of simulation titles, clearing away every last speck of dirt in Alien Archeologist will hit the spot.
• Upgradeable Tech & Explosives: Fill your pack with raw ores, feed them into your grinder, and earn funds to upgrade your gear. Boost your shovel speed, brighten your headlamps, or use good old-fashioned dynamite to blast through tough Martian rock!
• Meet GOOBER: You’re not entirely alone on the Red Planet. To keep you company, your employers have assigned you GOOBER—a spiffy little vacuum bot that helps gather materials, craft TNT, and provide companionship. Best of all? You can customise GOOBER with top hats, bow ties, and moustaches!

A Deepening Martian Mystery

Behind its cosy, relaxing digging and polishing mechanics lies an intriguing narrative. As you uncover crystal caverns, abandoned astronaut outposts, and sprawling alien installations, you’ll start piecing together why your corporate handlers sent you here in the first place—and what’s truly lurking at the planet’s core.

Mark Your Calendars

Alien Archeologist is set to launch on PC via Steam on October 12, 2026.

If you are ready to put on your space suit, grab a shovel, and dig up the past, head over to Steam today and add Alien Archeologist to your wishlist!

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