While there are plenty of great co-op shooters out there, Deep Rock Galactic has always felt unique thanks to its humorous tone, visual identity, and fully destructible environments. While not exactly a full sequel, Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core takes the DRG experience and gives it a roguelike twist, and it’s highly anticipated. Well, very soon, a few lucky souls will be able to try it out for the first time, because developer Ghost Ship Games has revealed that a closed alpha is on the way. It’s also confirmed two new classes to go along with the previously revealed Falconeer and Slicer.
Appearing in today’s Triple-i showcase with a fresh trailer, Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core is clearly not straying too far away from the main game in terms of feel and aesthetics. Given DRG’s huge popularity and status as one of the best co-op games around, that’s probably a good thing. It definitely looks a lot sharper, and a bit darker and spookier at times too, but on the whole, Deep Rock fans will feel right at home.
However, instead of jumping into runs with your best loadout, you’ll now have to gradually upgrade your gear as you progress deeper below the surface, with the difficulty ramping up as you go in true roguelike fashion. The new trailer shows a squad of dwarves accessing new weapons from terminals found within each level and buying abilities and buffs.
There will also be permanent upgrades that you can unlock that will carry over between runs, so as your hours in Rogue Core increase, there will be some meaningful progression – you’re not at the mercy of a full reset every single time you descend into the mines.
In a press release, Ghost Ship also confirms the identities of two more Rogue Core classes. “The Spotter can identify the best targets for attack, and the Guardian works to keep players safe from the threat of the Core Spawn,” it says. The Core Spawn are the mutated monsters you’ll be blasting, by the way.
As mentioned, Ghost Shop has revealed that a closed alpha is on the way for Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core. While it doesn’t give an exact date for when it begins, it says it’ll arrive “soon,” but you can sign up for a chance to be included right now.
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core is set to release in early access in Q4 of 2025.
If you want to see what else is dropping this year, head to our upcoming PC games guide. Or if you want to find more unique-feeling shooters, check out our list of the best FPS games.
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