The Core Keeper Alpha has launched today, providing an exciting opportunity for new players to take a trip into the sprawling caverns and put their survival skills to the test. Far more than a simple mining game, Core Keeper draws from a wide range of influences and combines them into a captivating adventure for up to eight players.
That’s right – you don’t have to go solo or just bring along a couple of friends for your adventures. Core Keeper allows you and seven of your buddies to get together, craft some armour and weapons, and start literally digging into the vast world that awaits to uncover new materials, a wealth of food to farm, and enormous creatures that will need every member of your squad to be on their best form to defeat.
So what exactly does Core Keeper entail, and just what makes it so good? We’ve put together a quick overview of the best features so you don’t miss out on the free Open Alpha experience taking place over the next two weeks.
Mining
Starting with the obvious, despite the array of other features, Core Keeper does feature a hell of a lot of mining. Far from your standard ore depositories, though, the mines in the game are home to mysterious relics, secrets, and remnants of the history hidden below. Varied biomes and procedurally-generated maps mean that every tunnel you create may lead somewhere new and unexpected. Although you start the game with very little, digging yourself a decent-sized base in these beautifully-lit mines is a relatively easy job – just keep an eye on those who may try and disturb your peaceful homestead…
Play the free alpha
Crafting
Trinkets and relics aside, all those juicy resources you collect from the caverns contribute to an extensive crafting mechanism. Everything you use to build up your base will be sculpted by your own two hands, whether its useful items, decorative flourishes, or armour to help keep you safe. For the more daring explorers among us, weapons and tools can also be crafted, allowing you to develop your own personal arsenal and make your daily tasks easier.
There are few problems in Core Keeper that can’t be solved with an eye for crafting. Soon you’ll also be able to create torches to light the way and bridges to span the vast underground lakes you’ll encounter on your journey, opening up a whole world of exploratory possibilities.
Farming
Crafting with metal is all well and good, but eventually you’re going to start feeling peckish. However barren the caves may look at first, once you’ve started to develop your base you’ll be able to farm crops from seeds, and even cook using an array of ingredients to make nutritious and sustaining meals. Different biomes yield different fruits (and veggies) so don’t be afraid to start up a network of farms. Each recipe you use will have its own buffs, so it’s advisable to really get creative in the kitchen.
Play the free alpha
Exploration
Here’s a big one. Exploration in Core Keeper is an ever-changing experience, as the procedurally-generated caves present you with various challenges along your journey. No two caves will be the same. From the very start, you’ll find yourself planted in the middle of an underground world teeming with life – not all of it friendly. However safe your base is, you’ll eventually have to venture further, into thriving biomes filled with huge underground creatures and gigantic bosses who will put up a strong fight. Once you’ve mastered the art of combat and crafted yourself some sturdy gear, you might be able to take on one of these aggressive behemoths, reaping the crystalline rewards they leave behind.
The Core
We can’t say much here, but these crystals dropped by bosses can be used to power up your Core, a key element, and home to the final mystery of the game.
Skills
Although Core Keeper has no class system, individuals within teams may have different skills and interests. Build your character by performing practical tasks, skilling up in whatever way you see fit. The key skills are Mining, Blacksmithing, Gardening, Running, Melee Combat, Ranged Combat, and Vitality (which controls your health). There are plenty of ways to customise your character, but the skills meter means everyone can take on their own role within a team.
Play the free alpha
Multiplayer
This brings us on to multiplayer. Of course, the best part of Core Keeper is that you don’t have to do it alone. You may be trapped underground, but pulling a team of pals together to help with your crafting, farming, and exploring will make everything a whole lot easier… in theory. Big bosses can also be tackled with a team of up to eight players, with each able to craft and wear their own armour and weapons. Build yourself an exploratory army, or simply tend the farm at home, the choice is yours.
Despite its cute graphics and the humble start your character will face, Core Keeper quickly expands into a complex sandbox experience for you to explore alone or with up to seven friends. The Open Alpha – which is totally free to play – runs from December 1 – 14, and will support multiplayer for a vibrant co-op experience from the start – get your friends together and download it from Steam today.
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