Core Keeper – The Goldmine of Adventure Games

If you're the type of person who loves to get stuck in an underground exploration game for hours, Core Keeper will give you more reasons to leave the sun outside and venture into the depths of a pixelated world.

If you have already played Terrariayou'll feel right at home, but make no mistake: Core Keeper is not just another sandbox clone. It takes everything that's already been done and adds that special spice, making every minute a delight. Think Minecraft and Terraria, but with an extra dash of adventure and a retro look that takes you straight back to the era of 2D games – but with a modern twist.

Let's start with the basics: You wake up in a dark cave, with no idea how you got there (like that bad hangover you've had before, but without the drinking part). Around you are four mysterious statues. There's no tutorial or boring tutorial; it's just you and your survival instinct.

THIS BEGINNING IS SO CRAZY, LIKE, YOU'LL MAKE YOURSELF UP. I FELT LIKE TYPING IN CAPS LOCK WITH THE ANGRY I WAS IN, but phew. That phase is over and now we can move on to the rest of the game! Again, it was brilliant. Congratulations to the people who thought of this beginning ;-D

Have you chosen a class? Great, now just start digging and exploring. With each new material you find, your equipment improves, and so you continue, always looking for the next challenge. This vicious cycle of mining, improving, and advancing is what keeps you hooked – and it won’t let you go anytime soon.

But don't think it will be all joy. Each new biome you encounter brings new monsters and traps to test you. And the bosses? Oh, they're the real main course. Each one has its own attack pattern, forcing you to learn and adapt. And when you finally win, the feeling of relief is so great that you almost want to thank the monitor for being so patient with you.

Speaking of combat, Core Keeper offers you several ways to take down your enemies. You can go for it with melee attacks, or opt for a more ranged approach, using magic or summons. Each style has its own skill tree, and as you mine, cook (yes, there’s that too), or even run, your skills will improve. Want to switch weapons? Go for it! But if you decide to specialize in one or two, the game will reward you. And if you’re one of those who sticks to their first weapon, don’t worry: you can upgrade even the most basic item, making it useful even in later stages.

Now, what really makes the game shine is the co-op mode. Exploring the mines of Core Keeper with up to eight friends is simply amazing. Each person can take on a task – be it mining, cooking, exploring or taking down bosses – and the coordination between the gang is what makes it all the more fun. It's like being in a pixelated version of Divinity: Original Sin 2but less serious and more focused on pure fun. And, if you want, you can dedicate yourself solely to selling items to the vendors that you unlock along the way, ensuring that extra money to buy what you need.

Tested on PS5: And look, I have to say that playing Core Keeper on PlayStation 5 was quite an experience. One of the things that surprised me the most was the use of sound effects coming directly from the DualSense controller. Imagine yourself there, all focused on digging in the depths of the cave, and suddenly you hear that sound of a pickaxe hitting the rock coming from the controller – it really immerses you! It seems like the sound is coming from inside the cave itself, making everything more immersive. It's not just a frill, it's an extra touch that makes you feel even more immersed in the game. Sony really nailed this thing with the sound on the controller, and Core Keeper I knew how to take advantage of it very well.

But not everything is rosy underground. While the game is fun, some bosses can feel like insurmountable walls. And despite the variety of weapons, there could be more options in each category to give that feeling of absolute power. Oh, and the linear progression? It can be a bit frustrating. Sometimes, you'll sweat to defeat a boss only to find out you were in the wrong place the whole time. It's the kind of humiliation that only a gamer can understand.

Still, the joy of exploring and discovering new things in Core Keeper is never lost. The pixel-art graphics are charming, and the soundtrack is a delight that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere. Every new area you unlock, every rare item you find, is a personal victory that motivates you to keep playing.

One of the pleasant surprises of the game is the simplicity in the small details. The ability to replace workbenches with more advanced versions without having to redo the entire base is an example of how the developers thought about the player experience. It's a quality of life touch that many games overlook.

The issue of base construction also deserves emphasis. At first, you’ll settle for a simple base, perhaps just a large room with a bed, a few workstations, and chests to store your treasures. But as you progress, things change. New minerals open the door to automation devices like conveyor belts, robotic arms, and drills that make your life underground easier. Suddenly, building and organizing your base becomes an essential part of the fun.

But so, is it worth it? Core Keeper is the kind of game that, once you start, is hard to put down. The cycle of mining, combat, and building is addictive, and the ability to play with friends only adds more layers of fun. If you’re a fan of survival, exploration, and sandbox games, Core Keeper is a must-have addition to your collection. And even if you’re not a fan of the genre, it’s worth giving it a try – it might surprise you.

Pros:

• Incredibly satisfying gameplay loop
• Variety of things to do and explore
• Cooperative mode that amplifies the fun

Cons:

• Some bosses may seem impossible
• Linear progression can be frustrating at times

Final Grade: 8/10

In the end, Core Keeper stands out for being a solid and engaging experience. With satisfying gameplay, a huge variety of things to do, and a world that invites you to explore every corner, it’s hard not to get carried away for hours of gameplay. Sure, it’s not perfect – some glitches in the bosses and the lack of weapon options are areas for improvement – ​​but overall, it’s a game that will keep you hooked from start to finish. So grab your pickaxe, gather your friends, and get ready to dig deep into one of the most rewarding gaming experiences you’ll find out there.