I’ve just tunneled through Pugstorm’s latest sandbox gem, Core Keeper. Released August 27, 2024, this multiplayer mining adventure delivers clever design, memorable moments, and a few rough edges. In this review, here’s my deep dive—complete with tips, strategies, and analytical insight for aspiring speedrunners and achievement hunters alike.
Overall Impressions
At its core, Core Keeper blends Terraria’s open-ended mining with Stardew Valley’s cozy farming. What truly elevates it is the game’s strongest asset: its layered progression. Early biomes hook you with resource variety and useful tools. As the journey unfolds, the midgame introduces burners like the Moss Blanket, where I first tested my combat speedruns. Eventually, the endgame—the surface with its radiant relics—pushes optimization to thrilling new heights. However, the experience isn’t without flaws. Inventory sprawl and chest micromanagement often drag down pacing. When compared to similarly scoped titles, Pugstorm’s work impresses through design but stumbles slightly on quality-of-life execution.
Gameplay Mechanics
What Works
Mining and Resource Loop Efficiency
To begin, the mining system in Core Keeper stands out as one of its most rewarding features. Each new pickaxe tier reveals previously unreachable resource veins, creating a satisfying loop of progression. I tested my first Iron Pickaxe run and completed it in just eight minutes—route optimization alone helped me shave off precious seconds. Clearly, this shows how rewarding thoughtful planning can be for speedrunners.
Craft-Build Synergy Enhances Workflow
Equally important, the game’s modular crafting system is a highlight. Being able to customize workstations by function allowed me to create hyper-efficient workshops. For example, clustering furnaces near ore deposits helped me reduce crafting downtime and saved up to two minutes per resource cycle. This proves ideal for players chasing tight completion windows or maximizing production potential.
Combat and Boss Mechanics Are Satisfying
Combat is another major strength. Each boss encounter brings a unique challenge. I especially enjoyed the Shrine Keeper’s laser volley phase—it demanded precision and tested my reaction timing. With practice, I mastered it using a dash-parry combo, making boss fights a skill-based highlight and a thrill for achievement hunters. Ultimately, the balance of difficulty and satisfaction makes every encounter feel meaningful.
What Doesn’t
Inventory Overload Disrupts Flow
That said, one of the more frustrating aspects of Core Keeper is inventory clutter. As one player aptly put it, “way too many tools clog up the inventory.” The sheer variety of items, combined with tool degradation and crafting components, quickly overwhelms storage space. To mitigate this, a practical solution early in the game is to dedicate a single chest exclusively for tools and organize spares in bundles of ten. This method reduces downtime spent reorganizing and keeps your backpack streamlined for exploration and combat.
Chest Capacity Forces Constant Expansion
Another drawback is chest limitations, which can become a logistical nightmare as your item collection grows. With only a handful of slots per container, players are often forced to build multiple storage chests—leading to disorganization fast. Many users complain about the tendency to “spam and lose track” of items. To counteract this, a simple yet effective fix is to label chests with signs and use color-coded schemes to categorize gear, resources, and tools. This makes it easier to maintain order without interrupting the gameplay loop.
Crafting Station Range Feels Restrictive
Lastly, crafting would benefit from a more centralized system. Stand-alone stations often require too much movement between them, leading to a disjointed workflow. For optimal efficiency, place your workbench near clusters of furnaces and complementary stations. This setup reduces unnecessary travel time and keeps production flowing—an essential strategy for both casual builders and speed-focused players alike.
Standout Moment
Among the game’s many highlights, one moment truly stood out. While racing through the Deep Cavern, I discovered a hidden shrine with a relic that doubled my mining yield for two minutes. That rush of discovery and reward solidified Core Keeper’s smart pacing and its ability to make exploration genuinely exciting.
Story and Characters
In terms of storytelling, Core Keeper unfolds its narrative in environmental whispers rather than direct dialogue. The Ancient Core’s mystery pulses at the heart of the experience. Artifact messages slowly piece together the fall of an ancient civilization. While I missed having direct NPC interactions, the relic inscriptions deliver lore efficiently. In fact, the world-building thrives on player curiosity—every newly unearthed tablet adds meaningful depth. For speedrunners, chasing lore-based achievements provides secondary objectives that enrich reruns without slowing the pace.
Visuals and Graphics
When it comes to visuals, Pugstorm absolutely nails the pixel-art renaissance. Biomes brim with unique flora and fauna, offering visual variety and immersion. I especially adore the bioluminescent glow in the Crystal Cavern—it guided my path without an on-screen marker. Boss arenas take full advantage of dynamic lighting to ramp up tension. Occasionally, sprite animations stutter under heavy on-screen action. Nonetheless, the overall art direction strikes a perfect balance between charm and clarity.
Sound and Music
The soundscape also deserves high praise. Composer Simon Chylinski’s soundtrack shines throughout the journey. Ambient tracks shift seamlessly with biome transitions, subtly cueing exploration tempo. I even fashioned a makeshift “battle playlist” by looping the Moss Blanket theme during combat runs—it kept my adrenaline high. Fishing and the in-game musical instrument system offer delightful micro-moments. Meanwhile, sound effects—from the pickaxe’s echo to boss roars—land with satisfying weight. Although there’s no voice acting, it suits the game’s minimalist, lore-driven style.
Difficulty and Replayability
Regarding challenge, Core Keeper scales nicely from solo runs to eight-player multiplayer. Solo, I felt genuinely tested by bullet-sponge enemies that killed me in two hits. In co-op, assigning strategic roles (miner, builder, fighter) improved overall efficiency. Replay value thrives on achievement hunting. Some achievements—like gathering 1,000 mushrooms—demand grind, as one player warned. To manage this, my strategy was to dedicate five-minute daily mushroom runs near the Fungus Grove. That routine transformed a tedious task into a brief, effective warm-up session.
Tips for Speedrunners and Achievement Hunters
Optimize Biome Progression for Early Speed
For those looking to complete runs faster, speedrunners can significantly reduce their time by prioritizing biome order strategically. Starting in the Shattered Desert grants access to mobility-enhancing resources early in the game. By crafting tools that boost movement speed and traversal, players can shave minutes off their runs and gain an early advantage in tougher zones.
Centralize and Label Your Storage Hub
In addition, efficiency is key when chasing achievements or leaderboard placements. Establishing a centralized base with organized storage can save valuable time. Use labeled chests and stack limit signs to quickly find essential materials and prevent overflow. This structure supports better inventory clarity and keeps your progression smooth.
Smart Boss Routing Boosts Relic and Stat Gains
Equally critical is how you approach boss battles. Delay fighting the Mimic boss until later in your run. Instead, clear out weaker minibosses first to build up your relic collection and core stats. With this approach, you’ll face tougher enemies with improved gear and survivability—making your runs more efficient and rewarding.
Trivia and Behind-the-Scenes
Pugstorm’s Origins and Custom Engine Development
Behind the scenes, Pugstorm—a Swedish indie studio founded by two lifelong friends—started development on Core Keeper during its early access release in 2022. What sets the project apart is the team’s decision to build a proprietary game engine tailored for procedural cave generation. As a result, the game delivers richly layered underground environments and a truly immersive mining experience.
Fireshine Games Partnership and Global Expansion
Then in 2023, Fireshine Games acquired publishing rights, accelerating the game’s international growth. Their support brought robust global server infrastructure, which enabled smoother multiplayer across regions. This partnership helped Core Keeper reach a wider audience while preserving Pugstorm’s creative vision.
A Soundtrack by a Renowned Composer
Finally, rounding out the experience is the soundtrack by Simon Chylinski—also known for his work on Cytus II. With his expertise in dynamic audio design, Chylinski composed a soundtrack that perfectly matches the game’s mysterious tone. In doing so, he elevated the sense of immersion, giving every mining session and boss battle its own emotional weight.
Final Thoughts
Core Keeper excites with its core mechanics and layered progression. It falters in inventory design and quality-of-life implementation. Fans of mining adventures will find hours of discovery, while completionists should brace for occasional grind. I recommend it for solo explorers and coop crews eager to optimize their runs.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Core Keeper earns a solid recommendation. Its strong foundation and Pugstorm’s thoughtful design make it a standout in the sandbox genre. With a few quality-of-life updates, it could become a timeless mining classic.
