Core Keeper

Open World· Survival· Exploration· Pixel Graphics

Released Aug 2024

Explore a vast cavern of creatures, relics and resources in a mining sandbox adventure for 1-8 players. Mine, build, fight, craft and farm to unravel the mystery of the ancient Core.

92% positive · 67K reviews

Not yet

Released, but content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Not yet

Released, but content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Where to buy

Green Man Gaming Steam key Updated 12 Oct 2026 Lowest $9.47 $19.99 −53% Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $11.99 $19.99 −40% IndieGala Steam key Updated 12 Oct 2026 $19.99

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Evaluation

Core Keeper launched out of Early Access on August 27, 2024, and has since received a steady stream of major free content updates from developer Pugstorm. The game's post-launch history includes multiple major updates: Void & Voltage (February 25, 2026), which added an entirely new biome (Breaker's Reach), two new bosses, extensive automation systems, new weapons and armor, and Steam Workshop mod support. Minor feature updates and hotfixes have shipped regularly in between. On August 13, 2026, Pugstorm published a formal roadmap called "Road to the Maw," announcing three interconnected major content updates. The first of those, version 1.3 – Riders of the Underground, launched on September 21, 2026, bringing rideable mounts, a new Moss sub-biome, a Hookshot traversal tool, three new pets, new weapons, armor, and substantial balance improvements to Mage and Summoner playstyles. A hotfix (1.3.0.2) followed on September 22, 2026. Two major updates from the Road to the Maw roadmap remain unshipped: version 1.4 – Trials of the Depths (described as a depth-and-mastery challenge update for veteran players) and version 1.5 – Beyond the Breach (a new biome revealing what lies beyond Breaker's Reach, described as the pivotal moment the whole adventure has been building toward). The developer has also indicated plans for minor content updates between these major releases. Pugstorm noted they have no concrete plans beyond Road to the Maw at this time but expressed openness to continuing development based on community feedback after that arc concludes.

Evidence

Major update 1.3 – Riders of the Underground launched, adding rideable mounts, a Hookshot, a new Moss sub-biome, new pets, weapons, armor, and balance improvements. Post confirms this is the first stop on the Road to the Maw roadmap, with 1.4 and 1.5 still to come.

news post · Sep 21, 2026 source content shipped

high

Pugstorm published the 'Road to the Maw' roadmap announcing three major content updates: 1.3 – Riders of the Underground, 1.4 – Trials of the Depths, and 1.5 – Beyond the Breach, with plans for minor updates in between.

news post · Aug 13, 2026 source content planned

high

Content

2 of 2 released · no outstanding content

Released

Core Keeper - Explorer's Guide

Mar 2026

Released

Core Keeper Soundtrack

Jan 2025

Media

Details

Developer

Pugstorm

Publisher

Fireshine Games

Achievements

Platform

Windows, Linux

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Verified

Players

Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op

Open World Survival Exploration Pixel Graphics Sandbox Crafting Building Base Building Action Adventure Procedural Generation Open World Survival Craft Combat Atmospheric Indie

About this game

Awaken as an explorer in a long-forgotten cavern teeming with untold secrets. In this award-winning, 1-8 player mining sandbox adventure, your choices shape an epic journey. Harvest relics and resources, craft advanced tools, build your base, and explore a dynamically evolving world waiting to be unearthed.

Level up your skills, defeat legendary Titans, and unveil the power of the Core. Grow your garden, fish in mysterious waters, master a vast array of recipes, raise and care for animals, encounter the Cavelings, and carve out your own unique world in an enchanting underground adventure.

MINE RESOURCES

Delve deep to harvest precious resources and unearth hidden gems. Craft tools to help you survive, from pickaxes, fishing rods, and shovels to traps, bombs, and mortars. Upgrade your arsenal and equipment with advanced tools like the mighty Obliteration Ray, and automated machinery to streamline mining, smelting, storage, and more. Level up your skills and unlock powerful weapons to conquer the depths.

DISCOVER AN ANCIENT WORLD

Explore diverse biomes with unique ecosystems and long-forgotten lore. From the living walls of the Clay Caves to the crystal caverns of the Shimmering Frontier, discover more about this mysterious world as you uncover the secrets of the Cavelings. Build a boat to set sail across the Sunken Sea, race across the Desert of Beginnings, and encounter the remnants of ancient civilizations.

BUILD, CRAFT & GET CREATIVE

Create a totally unique base using a variety of different materials and customisations. From the ultimate adventurer’s lair to a cozy underground cottage, shape the underground your way. Customize your character’s appearance and choose from an array of powerful armor and unique outfits to suit the moment.

BATTLE TITANS

Face legendary Titans that hold the secret to this long-forgotten world. Sharpen your combat skills against a variety of monsters and mini-bosses, spend talent points to level up your abilities, and plan your strategy to conquer these colossal creatures of the underground. Discover rare and powerful loot to help you on your journey and power up the Core.

EXPLORE WITH FRIENDS

Enjoy the adventure solo or team up in 2-8 player drop-in/drop-out online co-op. Play your way and explore at your own pace — celebrate the seasons, trade with merchants, hatch your new best friends, design the ultimate base, automate resource gathering, host your own dedicated server, create music on playable instruments and discover an unforgettable sandbox adventure.

Last evaluated Sep 22, 2026