Core Keeper

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"Core Keeper" is a mining sandbox adventure game where players delve into the heart of a mysterious ancient machine, the "Core." You'll mine resources, craft tools, build bases, fight monsters, and discover secrets in a procedurally generated underground world. The game offers multiplayer for up to 8 players, promoting collaboration and shared experiences in this captivating subterranean journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 13,647 reviews

gameplay positive mentions

grinding negative mentions

gameplay
1,213 mentions
37 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Core Keeper" is characterized by a blend of familiar mechanics from popular titles like Terraria and Stardew Valley, offering an engaging loop of exploration, crafting, and combat. Players appreciate the intuitive controls and the variety of activities, including base building, farming, and boss fights, although some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time. While the game is still in early access and has room for improvement, particularly in content variety and depth, it has been praised for its charming visuals, addictive mechanics, and potential for future updates.
- “With over 100 hours of addictive gameplay later, I can say this game is unique in every aspect from combat to building your base, and exploring, it has it all.”
- “Gameplay features are intuitive and easily learned without much need for looking up the wiki, at least in the early game where everything feels new and mysterious.”
- “The gameplay is a seamless dance between exploration and strategy, with each movement feeling fluid and responsive.”
- “The gameplay loop doesn't change or evolve; what I experienced in the first 3 hours was what I was doing for the rest of the game.”
- “Gameplay became so boring, repetitive, and tedious that I lost all interest in completing it.”
- “The core gameplay of going through the world was only really exciting for the first hour; it all fell very similar whatever direction I travelled in.”
grinding
964 mentions
0 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Core Keeper" has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the game's blend of farming, crafting, and exploration, they note that the late-game progression can become excessively grindy, particularly when farming for resources and boss summoning materials. Automation features help alleviate some of the tedium, but players still express frustration with the repetitive nature of resource gathering and skill leveling, especially in solo play. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for those who appreciate grind-heavy gameplay, but it may deter players looking for a more streamlined experience.
- “It's charming, it's cute, it's well-packed full of stuff, but not at all overbearing, and not too grindy whatsoever!”
- “The progression is fun and not too grindy, the soundtrack is beautiful, and the bosses are unique.”
- “Very simple (not tedious) but feels well balanced and provides the main source of progression through the game.”
- “Towards the end game, things start to become a little grindy such as having to mine multiple hundreds of ore, potentially thousands, and finding boss locator and summoner crafting items.”
- “The game is very grindy, but doesn't reward the player adequately for all their hard work.”
- “After defeating the second boss, the game doesn't feel different, since no useful items found and you still need to spend a lot of time grinding for ores and plants.”
graphics
674 mentions
49 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming pixel art style, vibrant colors, and impressive lighting effects, creating an immersive and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic RPGs. Many players appreciate the attention to detail in the environments and character designs, although some have noted that the resolution can be challenging on higher-end displays. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience with their aesthetic appeal.
- “The pixel graphics are beautifully crafted, evoking a sense of nostalgia while still feeling fresh and modern.”
- “Core Keeper is a visual masterpiece, showcasing stunning graphics that bring its enchanting world to life.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the music is beautiful, and the gameplay is so fun.”
- “The graphics are causing me headaches/nausea.”
- “I feel bad not recommending this game, because I can tell some genuine effort went into it; however, the graphics are really, really rough.”
- “It's quite fun but would be on my top 10 if it didn't have such crappy pixel graphics.”
music
604 mentions
62 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful, immersive, and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the diverse soundtracks that change with different biomes, creating a relaxing and engaging environment that complements the game's visuals and mechanics. While some users noted that certain tracks can become repetitive, the majority find the soundtrack to be a standout feature, often expressing a desire to purchase it separately.
- “The music is brilliant, the combat is very well-tuned and gives a lot of options for play.”
- “The music is absolutely stunning and can put the right listeners into a musical trance.”
- “The ambient music in Core Keeper deserves its own applause, setting the perfect mood for each environment and enhancing the overall gaming experience.”
- “The music is mediocre and forgettable; the audio in this game is bland thus far and needs work.”
- “The soundtracks of Terraria, Stardew, and Minecraft immediately hook you; their aesthetics are wholly unique and have personality, but Core Keeper feels bland.”
- “Music feels out of place after a while or too repetitive.”
story
282 mentions
18 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as minimal and somewhat lackluster, serving primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus. Players appreciate the freedom to explore and progress at their own pace, but many express a desire for deeper narrative elements and more structured quests. While some find the story intriguing and enjoy uncovering its mysteries, others feel it lacks complexity and direction, especially in its current early access state.
- “The game has fantastic music and a great storyline.”
- “The story pulls you in; the blindness the environment creates motivates you to push and discover.”
- “Core Keeper is an entertaining game filled with content that dragged me into its lore and story.”
- “The story is brief, and you're pretty much on your own, independent and free from most consequences.”
- “There is no story, there is no in-game guide, and game progression is slow and full of ridiculous grinding.”
- “The story for me is the weakest part here, serving solely as the glue to introduce the player to new bosses and areas, which might very well be the design intent here.”
optimization
121 mentions
11 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many citing significant performance issues such as low frame rates, stuttering, and lag, particularly in multiplayer and during intensive gameplay scenarios. While some players have noted improvements following updates, the consensus is that the game still requires further optimization, especially for lower-end systems and the Steam Deck. Overall, while the game shows promise and is enjoyable, its current performance challenges detract from the experience.
- “The developers fixed the crashing issue I had early on, and by now, it's smooth sailing in terms of performance.”
- “Update: the game has gotten significant performance updates and is now running much better.”
- “Most performance issues I commented about in my original review have been completely fixed and the game runs silky smooth now.”
- “Game optimization is awful.”
- “The only point of criticism is that the game needs to be optimized better.”
- “Low FPS and stuttering are very present when you're around lots of structures like a base.”
atmosphere
75 mentions
71 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and beautifully crafted environments, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack that complements the visuals. Players appreciate the charming pixel art and atmospheric lighting, which create a relaxing yet engaging experience, making exploration feel rewarding and exciting. Overall, the combination of art, sound, and design contributes to a rich and memorable atmosphere that sets the game apart from others in the genre.
- “The atmosphere is immersive, pulling you into its underground environments with a great mix of visuals and sound.”
- “The pixel art is charming and detailed, creating an immersive atmosphere complemented by an ambient soundtrack.”
- “The amazing music, game design, and overall atmosphere is quite relaxing, making it fun to just explore every part of the world collecting new ore, fish, or even collectibles.”
- “❎ fair: basic sound/music, doesn't enhance the atmosphere.”
- “As the game is still early access, the content still feels a little light, but I love the atmosphere and the ability to choose whether to have a chill gameplay experience or to really do some dungeon grinding.”
- “They do well with the style and atmosphere and while I do have jitteriness and the odd crash that is to be expected while this is still in development.”
humor
57 mentions
96 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its ability to generate laughter through quirky characters, funny item descriptions, and hilarious multiplayer interactions. Many reviews note that the game is particularly enjoyable when played with friends, leading to chaotic and amusing moments, while also providing a lighthearted experience when played solo. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute significantly to its charm and replayability.
- “This game can be as demanding or relaxing as you like it to be, fun and with co-op features things get hilarious quickly and or serious in a heartbeat but it is always fun.”
- “The animals are adorable and the descriptions of items are funny, quirky, and to the point.”
- “Every time I died it made me laugh and just want to keep going.”
- “Bombs - hilariously bad; it would be nice if I could throw them with a strength gauge instead of them just dropping where I'm at.”
- “There is no way to craft items for these two classes; you can only find them, which makes them rely so much on RNG it's not funny. On top of that, getting the most basic melee or ranged weapons for a particular tier is not only easier but also so much quicker.”
stability
55 mentions
20 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
76 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting occasional bugs and glitches typical of early access titles, such as freezing and issues with multiplayer. However, several users noted that the game runs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, and praised the developers for their responsiveness in addressing issues through regular updates. While some players experienced significant problems, others found the game to be mostly stable and enjoyable, with minimal disruptions to gameplay.
- “The positives are that the game isn't buggy, especially considering its early access state.”
- “Amazingly full-featured and bug-free for an early release game.”
- “Considering we're only a few weeks into release at the time of this review, the game has been mostly bug-free and has lots to explore.”
- “My entire PC freezes for a few seconds, then comes to with the game frozen for a few more seconds before closing or not responding infinitely.”
- “Game-breaking glitches should be fixed immediately regardless if it delays further content updates.”
- “Good game, it just needs more content and new mechanics on how to fight enemies; also, it's still buggy and crashes a lot during boss fights.”
replayability
49 mentions
24 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players noting its depth, variety, and potential for endless enjoyment, especially in multiplayer settings. However, some reviews express concerns about a lack of content and diminishing replay value over time, suggesting that while it offers significant replay opportunities now, future updates will be crucial for maintaining player interest. In summary, the game is generally considered highly replayable, but its long-term appeal may depend on ongoing development and content additions.
- “It's a game that's easy to pick up and play, but offers endless replayability thanks to its depth and variety.”
- “This game has so much replay value.”
- “The game has great replay value and as long as the devs keep working on it, this game has huge potential.”
- “Making the replay value nearly non-existent as the game ages.”
- “A pretty solid and overall enjoyable game; however, the lack of content sadly makes it very unreplayable.”
- “Otherwise, the game just has too little content to provide, and unlike other aforementioned games, I recommended this game feels like it has no replay value because you would literally just be doing the same exact things you did in previous worlds.”
emotional
21 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often comparing it to nostalgic favorites like Terraria and Stardew Valley. The blend of charming graphics, engaging mechanics, and a wholesome community fosters a heartwarming experience that resonates with many, evoking feelings of joy, adventure, and even moments of despair. While some players desire a more defined narrative, the overall sentiment highlights the game's ability to create memorable emotional moments.
- “It emotionally touched my soul and I will never return to my old self again.”
- “It effortlessly weaves into the fabric of the game, creating an emotional connection that elevates every moment.”
- “For more than a year now, I have been searching for something that made me feel the same way Terraria and Stardew did, and here it is.”
monetization
9 mentions
0 % positive mentions
22 % neutral mentions
78 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players labeling it a "cash grab" due to its dull leveling system and misleading advertisements. While some appreciate the absence of microtransactions and the promise of future content, others criticize the game's poor design and performance issues, suggesting that it feels rushed and lacking in depth. Overall, opinions vary significantly, with a notable divide between those who see potential and those who feel exploited.
- “Very cheap price, no microtransactions, and only more content will get added from here on out.”
- “Regardless if this is listed as an 'indie game', it's plain and clear the game is designed to be a quick cash grab.”
- “Only played 4 hours but I already knew what time this game is on from the jump; the advertisements are misleading in my opinion.”
- “Severely restricted crafting, pitiful bosses, an 'end game' that doesn't work due to poor control measures implemented to automate mining, and a poor Minecraft rip-off of electricity that has no point, all lead to a second-rate rush job cash grab.”
character development
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the intricate character designs and the depth of character development, highlighting the inclusion of talent trees that enhance gameplay. The attention to detail in both the world and its inhabitants, including merchants, adds to the overall immersive experience. Players enjoy the challenge of hard mode, which further emphasizes the significance of character growth and strategy.
- “I love all the detail put into the world, not just the biomes but the mobs as well; even the merchants have great character designs.”
- “The graphics, sprites, and a lot of the gameplay are reminiscent of Stardew Valley, but with a lot more depth in character development, including talent trees as you level up.”
- “Cool bosses and character designs.”