Core Keeper Review - The Final Verdict
502When you look at the sandbox genre and the sheer number of survival titles it's received, Pugstorm's Core Keeper may seem innocuous. Nevertheless, it's built a following since early access, and with its 1.0 release, the 2D top-down aesthetic and enjoyable gameplay loop make it worth picking up.
Set in a subterranean world with multiple biomes, hostile Cavelings, and a strange Core at the center, players must survive while crafting better weapons and armor. Hostile bosses must be slain to progress, with the title's responsive combat shining well, but even just exploring the world, discovering what awaits around every corner, and soaking in the atmosphere can be enjoyable.
It doesn't hurt that there's plenty to do, from base-building, cooking and fishing to farming and even building Go-Karts. Though it invites comparisons to Terraria, Core Keeper is a compelling, addictive sandbox experience.