As a seasoned survivor of countless procedurally generated worlds and a connoisseur of all things dig-and-fight, let me share my thoughts on Core Keeper. This game has managed to carve out its own niche amidst the overcrowded genre, offering an engaging blend of linear progression and sandbox exploration that harkens back to the glory days of Terraria.
If you’ve caught wind of this, raise your hand: It’s about a 2D survival game. The setting is a quirky world that generates itself randomly, where you need to dig and battle in all directions against progressively larger and more aggressive bosses. As the game goes on, you amass an increasingly absurd collection of weapons. Multiplayer mode is optional.
I’m the Core’s Keeper
In this particular category, there’s an overwhelming amount of content, making it challenging for games to stand out. However, I’m pleased to share that Core Keeper does manage to make a mark. While its concept of linear survival-crafting in a procedurally generated world isn’t entirely novel, its vibrant energy and simplistic design philosophy truly set it apart from the rest.
Following a brief opening, you find yourself plunged into darkness, unsure of your surroundings or your next move. The initial phase of exploring and navigating is one of the most enjoyable aspects of this genre. Unlike some games that bombard players with information right away, Core Keeper gradually introduces you to its endless loop of gathering resources, upgrading equipment, and expanding your collection of crafting stations.
If you’ve got experience with this type of game, there won’t be much that’s surprising about Core Keeper. In fact, I’d argue it shares a spiritual bond with Terraria more than Minecraft. It takes inspiration from the sandbox element in Minecraft, but its structured progression, bosses, and zany powers are more akin to Terraria, particularly the 2011 version. While Terraria can sometimes become too much, overwhelming and losing its way, Core Keeper manages to stay focused and user-friendly.
There’s no such thing as digging too deep
To advance in this game, you must defeat the bosses. However, before you can do that, you need to locate them and gather the necessary tools for battle. As your collection of weapons grows and your home becomes a hub of various crafting stations, you’ll also acquire the means to fight them. The linear progression offers both its advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, it makes things easier to understand, but on the other, I found myself battling fiercely on one side of the map only to later discover that I was supposed to be somewhere else. This particular brand of self-inflicted humiliation could’ve been avoided if the game didn’t allow a copper pickaxe to mine iron while being on the brink of death, but I stray from the topic.
I did learn a valuable lesson about combat while avoiding those glowing eyes in the dark: It’s pretty easy to bait an attack and strike back as long as you’re not getting overwhelmed. Which is, once you’re sufficiently equipped, one of the more fun scenarios you can end up in. Just picture my sad, sorry butt surrounded by a bunch of enemies I could barely make out in the dark fighting for my life because I don’t want to walk back here. It’s good stuff and I cannot imagine how much better these scenarios will play out in co-op.
Big Worm, Big Problem
As a devoted gamer, once I’ve collected my equipment and prepared myself, it’s time to venture out and engage some formidable bosses. Ranging from revolting insects in diverse shapes to mystical entities and oozing slime, these encounters have ranged from challenging to exhilarating. Among the few I’ve faced so far, Ghorm the Devourer stands out as a memorable highlight. This monstrous worm traverses in a sweeping circle around my spawn point. Locating it is one challenge, battling it presents another – and the experience of engaging with this formidable boss has been one of the most enjoyable I’ve had in quite some time.
If you’re not venturing out for self-discovery and enjoying the bounty of nature, you could consider creating a suitable dwelling, rearing livestock, farming, or fishing as alternative pursuits. These activities might seem relatively simple but they provide a refreshing change. Moreover, electricity provides you with conveyor belts, robotic arms, and drills – tools that significantly simplify your subterranean lifestyle.
Sometimes you just need to take a break
I think the biggest praise I can give to the game is that I cannot wait to dig into it with a few friends over the coming weeks. It’s the kind of game you can slowly chip away at over several evenings and the hardcore mode even offers some replayability down the line. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheels of its genre, Pugstorm’s Core Keeper emerges confidently out of early access and I’m looking forward to revisiting it over and over again in the coming years.
On August 27th, 2024, the game titled Core Keeper can be played on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. This review’s access code was generously provided by its publisher.
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2024-08-26 16:27