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Into The Depths Story Campaign Guide: A Complete Walkthrough

Updated 2026-06-10

Into The Depths Story Campaign Guide: A Complete Walkthrough

Getting Started with the Story Campaign

The story campaign in Into The Depths is the primary single-player mode that introduces you to the game's core mechanics. As a Roguelite colony sim, each playthrough will be unique, but the overarching narrative remains consistent. Your goal is to lead a group of survivors from a surface world catastrophe into the mysterious underground caverns, establishing a new home while uncovering ancient secrets.

Before diving in, make sure you understand the basics by checking our beginner guide. The campaign is divided into several phases, each with distinct objectives and challenges.

Initial Setup and First Expedition

When you start a new campaign, you'll be prompted to choose a starting location. This decision influences the resources available and the initial difficulty. The game's tutorial will guide you through building your first shelter and gathering basic materials like wood and stone.

Pro Tip: Focus on building a secure food source first. Berry bushes and basic hunting traps can sustain your colony in the early days.

Core Campaign Objectives

The story campaign in Into The Depths follows a structured progression path. Here are the main objectives you'll encounter:

  • Establish a Surface Outpost: Build basic structures and secure your initial perimeter.
  • Descend to the First Cavern: Explore the first underground layer and find a suitable location for your main base.
  • Unlock the Forge: Research and construct a forge to craft advanced tools and weapons.
  • Discover the Ancient Gate: Find the mysterious gate that holds the key to deeper exploration.
  • Defeat the Cavern Warden: The first major boss encounter that tests your colony's combat readiness.
  • Expand to the Depths: Build bridges and tunnels to reach lower caverns.

For a detailed look at progression systems, see our progression guide.

Key Strategies for Each Phase

Early Phase (Days 1-10)

During the first ten days, your priority should be survival. Assign workers to gather resources and build a basic shelter. The game's random events may include surface storms, which force you to rely on indoor food production.

  • Build a basic workshop for tool crafting
  • Construct at least three sleeping quarters
  • Set up a water collection system
  • Research basic farming techniques
  • Create a small stockpile of torches for exploration

Mid Phase (Days 11-30)

Once your colony is stable, it's time to focus on exploration and expansion. The mid-game introduces new threats, including hostile creatures and environmental hazards.

Caution: The deeper you go, the more dangerous the creatures become. Always send scouts ahead before moving your main group.

Late Phase (Days 31+)

The final phase of the campaign involves preparing for the ultimate confrontation. You'll need to upgrade your defenses, train specialized soldiers, and gather rare resources from the deepest caverns.

Understanding the Roguelite Elements

Into The Depths features several Roguelite mechanics that affect your campaign:

  • Persistent Upgrades: Some upgrades carry over between runs, making subsequent attempts easier. Check our upgrades guide for details.
  • Randomized Caverns: Each playthrough generates different cavern layouts, ensuring replayability.
  • Permadeath: If your colony falls, you start over, but you keep certain research and unlockables.

For more on how the game's mechanics work, read our mechanics guide.

Boss Encounters and Challenges

The campaign features several boss encounters that serve as major milestones. The first boss, the Cavern Warden, is a massive creature that guards the entrance to the lower depths.

Preparing for Boss Fights

  • Stockpile healing items: Always bring extra bandages and potions.
  • Equip your best fighters: Assign your strongest colonists to combat roles.
  • Build defensive structures: Walls and traps can give you a tactical advantage.

For a complete list of bosses and strategies, visit our boss guide.

Final Thoughts and Endgame

Completing the story campaign in Into The Depths requires patience, strategy, and a willingness to learn from failure. The game rewards careful planning and adaptability. Once you finish the main story, you can continue playing in sandbox mode or challenge yourself with higher difficulty settings.

Remember that each run is a learning experience. Use the knowledge gained from failed attempts to improve your approach. For more advanced tips, check our tips and tricks guide.

Related pages

  • Boss Guide: Strategies for Every Encounter— Master every boss in Into The Depths with this complete guide. Learn attack patterns, weaknesses, and optimal strategies for conquering the deep caverns and their guardians.
  • Challenges Guide: Roguelite Modes— Master Into The Depths challenges with our complete guide. Learn Roguelite mode rules, unlock strategies, and conquer the deepest caverns for epic rewards.
  • Co-Op Guide: How to Play with Friends— Is Into The Depths co-op? Discover the game's single-player focus, modding options for multiplayer, and what the future holds for cooperative play in this Roguelite colony sim.
  • Endings Guide: All Finales Explained— Discover all endings in Into The Depths, including the Ascension, Abyss, and Sacrifice finales. Learn how to unlock each ending and the key choices that determine your fate.
  • Gameplay Overview: Build & Survive Below— Discover the core gameplay loop of Into The Depths. Learn about base building, exploration, Roguelite mechanics, and how to conquer the caverns in this colony sim.
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