100,000 Meters Deep

Here's my submission for the 2026 GMTK Game Jam

The Game:
An enormous cache of hyperboost crystals has been discovered deep underground, and the first robot to reach it is gonna be rich. The only problem is that its 100,000 meters underground (not to mention the colony of crystbugs already eating them). Your goal is to dig deep underground to lay your claim to the crystals first. 

You've got most of what you need, frame upgrades to ensure the bug's lasers only stun you, nowhere near enough boost fuel to get there but enough to get started, a drill more than anything else. The rest can be scavenged along the way from bugs or previous failed expeditions, that's what the other racers will be doing. The biggest issue now is one of them doing it faster than you. 

Just relax, slam the gas, and start counting down those hundred kilometers.

How to Play on Controller (Buttons labeled for an XBOX controller):
While Driving:  Get to the bottom as quickly as possible! Be sure to stop at a caves if you run out of boost fuel.

• Move with Left Stick
• Boost with A
• Use Items with X
• Cycle Items with the Left and Right Bumpers

While Run and Gunning: Grab everything you can! You have 10 seconds to crack open capsules for items and shoot bugs for boost fuel. 

• Move with Left Stick
• Jump with A
• Shoot with X

How to Play on Keyboard:
While Driving:  Get to the bottom as quickly as possible! Be sure to stop at a caves if you run out of boost fuel.

• Move with WASD
• Boost with Space
• Use Items with Down Arrow
• Cycle Items with the Left and Right Arrows

While Run and Gunning: Grab everything you can! You have 10 seconds to crack open capsules for items and shoot bugs for boost fuel. 

• Move with WASD
• Jump with Space
• Shoot with Down Arrow

Items:

• Spare Canisters are an extra helping of fuel that can be added to your tank when you need it most.
• Gatling Rounds let you mount a turret that will fire at nearby opponents, breaking their boost fuel lines so they're forced to make a pit stop (lasts until all bullets are used, more can be loaded in)
• Glitch Spirits can be used to send out a pulse which hacks the systems of drills in front of you, preventing boost usage for a few seconds. They will also automatically use themselves to block a hack if you happen to have them.
• Mini Drills are incredibly fast homing missiles, also capable of hitting the fuel lines.

Credits:

Most things by GladScientist

The song "Underground Countdown" was done by xwasp

xwasp also did the majority of the playtesting

Font is AldoTheApache by AJ Paglia