Depth Dwellers (1994)

Depth Dwellers has been rebuilt with a new engine and a few new features, and the 1994 original is bundled with it, running under DOSBox Staging. TriSoft was originally founded by a family member. Our new entity, TriSoft Legacy, plans to develop the game's story further at a future date.
Notes on the 1994 original: it includes an embedded order form that should not be used, since the information is no longer valid, and Alt-F4 does not exit it during play. For controls in either game, press F10 for the in-game help guide.
The Game
Depth Dwellers drops you into the heart of Ora's labyrinthine tunnels, where you'll battle to free the Depth Dwellers from the Ri's iron grip. Armed with an arsenal of futuristic weapons and the combat skills you perfected alongside Princess Aurora, you'll face off against Ri enforcers, automated wall turrets, and the harsh realities of a world under siege. Explore the glowing, Zendle-lit caverns, uncover hidden secrets about the mineral's power, and rally the Depth Dwellers in a desperate stand against their oppressors. This 1994 classic combines fast-paced, first-person action with a compelling narrative, immersing you in a universe where every battle matters.
With its atmospheric design, intense gameplay, and a story that blends personal stakes with galactic consequences, Depth Dwellers places you in the boots of a hero thrust into a cosmic struggle. The tunnels await, the Ri advance, and the fate of worlds hangs in the balance.
Key Features
Two Games in One: The rebuilt native version and the original 1994.

Four Difficulties: From EASY to INSANE.

Enhanced Mode: Shadows and additional light effects from muzzle flashes and explosions. (Turned on in Settings)

Steam Achievements and Leaderboards: Seventeen achievements, and score and speedrun boards for every difficulty. (You must opt-in to the leaderboards in Settings before your runs are posted. Only new saves will apply.)

Pulse-Pounding Sci-Fi Action: Dive into an epic adventure that puts you in the middle of a desperate fight for survival.

Blazing Combat Gameplay: Wield cutting-edge weapons and test your skills in fast-paced battles against ruthless enemies. For instance, you can aim grenades up or down to shoot over Ri heads or skip them off the floor.

Labyrinthine Exploration: Discover the hidden depths of Ora's glowing tunnels, packed with secrets and surprises.

The Story
You remember your first visit to Ora as the son of Earth's ambassador to the Depth Dwellers. The first thing you noticed was the blueness of the world. The blue of the mineral Zendle seemed to jump off Ora and into your ship. It also reflected the mood of the inhabitants. After centuries of war with the neighboring planet, Riase, the Depth Dwellers had been forced to live within the tunnels they created beneath the planet's surface. Even their bodies adapted. Their eyes, now enlarged, seem to reflect the sadness of a life spent buried beneath the surface.
Your father had been sent by Earth to see if he could bring diplomatic peace between the Ri and the Depth Dwellers. The Council of the Depth Dwellers had requested your father because of his ability to handle the most despicable foes and make them able to see the advantages of peace.
The Ri were unmovable. They wanted Ora at any price, even if it meant killing every last Depth Dweller. Riase had long ago been fouled by the Ri's consumption of resources without regard to the long-term effects it would have on the environment. Now Riase lay bare. All of its lush gardens and fertile valleys gone. The only thing that moves on the surface is the dust picked up by the wind as it blows over the parched land.
The only good to come out of your stay on Ora was your relationship with Princess Aurora. As children you played together at all the social functions. Later she would debate the need for the Depth Dwellers to fight the Ri. Military training was the answer. Together you would spend your days mastering various weapons and learning other combat skills.
The last night you were together, Princess Aurora told you that she and some others had decided that the time had come for action. The Ri had discovered that Zendle could be used in the manufacturing of a new weapons system. The Ri wanted Ora's Zendle, and they were using the Depth Dwellers to mine it. Princess Aurora said they had intercepted messages sent between the Ri's mining operation and Riase. The Ri were no longer content to just conquer Ora; they wanted all nine planets in their solar system. Her moist eyes reflected all the pain, misery and destruction that awaited the other planets if the Ri's plan succeeded. You took her in your arms, hoping for a moment they might shield her from the pain.