Whether you’re a fan of cosy simulators or just love the digital thrill of finding a hidden gem in the dirt, the Rich River demo recently hit Steam (as of late December 2025), and it’s a fascinating glimpse into a solo-developer passion project.
Created by Garry Gatling, Rich River is a simulation game that asks a simple but addictive question: What if you could strike it rich just by getting your hands dirty? Here is a breakdown of what to expect from the current demo and why this indie title should be on your radar for 2026.
⛏️ The Core Experience: More Than Just Digging
While the full game promises a bustling city and complex trading, the demo focuses heavily on the mining and prospecting mechanics.
Unlike many simulators that use “click-and-wait” systems, Rich River tries to make the actual act of recovery feel tactile. You aren’t just clicking a rock; you are:
- Mining & Digging: Searching for veins of precious metals and gems.
- Filtering: The demo gives us a taste of the filtering minigame, where precision is key.
- Artefact Hunting: Beyond just gold, there are artefacts to uncover, adding a bit of “archaeology” flavour to the grind.
Intellectual Honesty Check: The developer, Garry Gatling, is very transparent that the game is a solo-indie effort made with open-source tools. You might notice some “jank” in the animations or UI, but there is an undeniable charm in a game where everything—from the 3D models to the music—is handcrafted by one person.
🌍 Exploration and the “Trusty Coach”
The demo allows you to explore a slice of the environment. The game uses a “coach” system to move between different biomes. Each area offers different opportunities:
- Rivers: Perfect for panning and gold filtering.
- Rocky Outcrops: Better for heavy mining and gem hunting.
- The House: You can see the first few stages of your upgradable home, which serves as your home base and a visible marker of your success.
💰 The Economy: A Work in Progress
In the current demo, you’ll meet a generic salesman. While the full “sales minigame” isn’t active yet, you can still sell your loot (diamonds, gold, old pots) to see the basic gameplay loop.
The developer has stated that in the final version, different salesmen will specialise in different types of loot, forcing you to think strategically about where you sell your hard-earned treasures.
Demo Snapshot: Pros and Cons
| What We Loved | Room for Growth |
| Tactile Minigames: Panning and digging feel involved, not passive. | Performance: Some stuttering in larger biomes (expected in an early demo). |
| Wholesome Vibe: A relaxing, low-stress atmosphere. | Limited Content: The city buildings are currently non-functional. |
| Authentic Indie Soul: It feels like a project made with love, not a corporate template. | UI Clutter: Could benefit from a bit more polish for readability. |
📅 Looking Ahead to Q1 2026
The Rich River demo serves its purpose perfectly: it proves the core loop of finding and cleaning loot is satisfying. While the city is currently a “ghost town” of non-functional buildings, the promise that every building will eventually have its own associated minigame is an ambitious and exciting goal for the full release.
If you enjoy games like Gold Rush: The Game but want something more “indie-wholesome” and less “industrial-machine,” this is definitely one to wishlist.
Rich River Demo on Steam – https://shorturl.at/ZrH2a
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