Core Keeper Review – Subterranean Sojourn

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of sandbox adventure under my belt, I must say that Core Keeper has managed to captivate me like few games have before. The blend of familiar elements and fresh approaches has kept me enthralled for hours on end.

Among the survival games that have garnered attention this year, names like Palworld, Nightingale, Enshrouded, and Sons of the Forest stand out. However, not many titles can genuinely be described as “Terraria-like.” Valheim is one game that could fit into this category, offering a distinctive concept, base-building mechanics, and perspective, although it sets itself apart.

In essence, Core Keeper by PugStorm encompasses this concept, along with others, while adding its own unique twists and turns that are procedurally generated. It has been accessible on all platforms since it entered early access previously. The basic idea is straightforward: as an explorer in a group, you come across a mysterious artifact, and engaging with it sends you plunging into the depths of some uncharted location.

After gathering essential supplies, arranging torches, and making storage chests for your growing inventory in ‘Core Keeper’, it offers fundamental suggestions on what actions to take next.

The adventure to evade starts there, transitioning from mere survival to construction of a base within the labyrinthine catacombs. Simultaneously, the Core, nestled in the heart of the map, remains ominously humming, observing your actions and apparently anticipating…something.

In contrast to many genres, this game Core Keeper isn’t renowned for its storytelling. You won’t find yourself overwhelmed with cutscenes. However, the game offers an abundance of lore hidden within descriptions of various items. These details reveal tales of past explorers trapped in a similar situation, or remnants of ancient civilizations and their advanced technology, thriving deep underground. The puzzle of how it all connects is intriguing to solve, but the main plotline is quite straightforward. A twist is present, though it might be predictable to some. If you’re seeking a rich narrative experience, other games might be more suitable for you.

In Core Keeper, the gameplay cycle is straightforward: Dig up resources, discover hidden items and materials, create equipment and weapons to enhance your survival abilities, then repeat this process. Once you’ve gathered some essentials, light up torches, and craft storage chests for your growing inventory of goods, the game offers minimal instructions on what to do next. The game presents three distinct biomes, each with a unique boss character. Defeat these bosses and bring their special items back to the starting point.

Perform that action, and the Core will become active, granting you entry to the External Border. Once you reach the edge of the map and breach through, the game proper commences. Your goal is to defeat six Titans and capture their Spirits. As you progress, various new regions unfold – Azeos’ Wilderness, characterized by its captivating scenery concealing snipers and harmful flora; The Submerged Ocean, a treacherous area teeming with threatening tentacles and the Desolate City with its aggressive mages; and the Origin Desert, where Bomb Scarabs and assassins lie in wait. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter various hostile Cavelings, each possessing unique combat techniques, be it raw power and magic or swift dagger attacks.

Core Keeper Review – Subterranean Sojourn

As a devoted player, I can’t help but relish the thrill of taking on formidable foes like Ghorm the Devourer and Malugaz the Corrupted. These boss battles certainly test my mettle, offering some truly daunting challenges!

Absolutely, there’s a diverse array of perils lurking in the world of Shroomans, Larva, and Slimes, just to name a few. To survive, it’s essential to master multiple combat techniques – from wielding axes and swords to employing ranged weapons like bows, crossbows, and staves. You can even delve into the realm of summoning, commanding bats and ghouls to aid you in battle. It’s this “feel” of Core Keeper that truly sets it apart, with its attacks and movement feeling incredibly responsive. Parrying is smooth, and while initially, your movement options may seem limited (the top-down perspective means no jumping or flying), you’ll eventually gain access to off-hand equipment for dashing and short-range teleports.

While battling countless foes, you establish various tiers of workbenches for crafting, offering access to more robust gear as you progress. These sets of equipment come with unique benefits based on the items you wear. Each action taken also earns skill points for passive enhancements, such as enhancing melee and ranged damage, or adding mining damage to your melee attacks. The combat is engaging, though common enemies can be quite challenging at times – occasionally too challenging, even with good armor. However, the boss fights are exceptional.

In your encounter with Ghorm the Devourer or Malugaz the Corrupted, you’ll face tough battles. This becomes even clearer when battling Titans, particularly the Hydras, as each subsequent fight requires handling another head. The only potential drawback to the Hydras is how frustrating they can be to locate, especially if you haven’t previously mined paths in that biome to predict their movement.

In addition to mandatory bosses, there are optional ones as well, and four of these are distinct types of colossal Slimes. Of all these, Urschleim, who dwells in The Passage, is particularly notable because the battle requires you to keep moving to dodge it while attacking its vulnerable spots. This boss may be the most difficult encounter in the game, surpassing even the final boss, which offers a significant but somewhat somber end to the narrative.

Core Keeper Review – Subterranean Sojourn

Both the enjoyable gameplay and its appealing presentation draw me in. The beautiful 2D graphics captivate me, as do the varied soundtracks that switch between cheerful synth melodies and grand orchestral pieces.

One major problem with Core Keeper is that it appears to end rather quickly. This issue might lead some to draw comparisons with Terraria, as the former doesn’t seem to offer as much content, despite having been around for a shorter period. However, even if I spent a lot of time gathering equipment, fishing, building tricky-to-maneuver Go-Karts, and searching for meager resources to craft items that help locate bosses, I still managed to enjoy the game for approximately 40 hours.

Keep in mind that you haven’t completed all side quests like fighting optional bosses, crafting the Legendary weapon, unlocking mysterious indestructible doors, or trying every recipe in the guidebook. The game also features a significant automation aspect which could consume numerous hours, though it’s not essential for achieving victory.

In simpler terms, certain aspects such as the progression of skills could use some enhancement. Even after defeating the final boss, I found myself without access to several late-game skills that I hadn’t unlocked yet, despite having plenty of opportunities to kill, cook, or mine items. However, it was pleasing to discover features like Quick Trash (which I found post-game, interestingly enough) and crafting from storage. A minor inconvenience is that the chest needs to be placed right next to the relevant crafting table for this functionality.

In addition to the enjoyable gameplay, it’s the overall aesthetic that keeps me engaged, from the beautiful 2D graphics to the music, which seamlessly transitions between cheerful synth and grand orchestral pieces. The lighting effects are impressive, especially as you delve into caves and your equipment casts a natural light on newly discovered paths. Each biome has its unique visual style, with vibrant colors that catch the eye without becoming overwhelming. Lastly, the Core’s eye following your movements as you pass by it is a thoughtful detail.

Core Keeper Review – Subterranean Sojourn

“If nothing else, the only real downside is that the experience leaves you craving more.”

Core Keeper stands out as a captivating deviation in the sandbox genre, not by redefining the rules, but by presenting a unique perspective on the established formula. It delivers exhilarating boss encounters, engaging combat, distinctive biomes with robust world generation, and stunning visuals. Although it might not immediately dethrone Terraria, it certainly offers an immersive experience that can easily consume many hours of gameplay.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but rave about Core Keeper! Whether it’s crafting the ideal base with trinkets from far-off lands, untangling the enigmas surrounding the Core, or meticulously enhancing gear, this game is polished to perfection and incredibly addictive. The most captivating aspect? That insatiable curiosity about what each new part of the map might reveal, even when your endgame strategy is clear. Frankly, the only drawback is that the experience just leaves you yearning for more!

This game was reviewed on PC.

2024-09-06 20:45

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