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About The Core
The Core is a fast-paced shooter with roguelike elements developed by Lunix. Released on November 18, 2025, it's available exclusively on PC. The game tasks you with navigating procedurally generated environments while dodging endless enemy waves, upgrading your abilities, and advancing toward a central objective. Its blend of vertical movement and rapid combat sets it apart from traditional shooters. The Core appeals to players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay and iterative progression. The single-player campaign focuses on survival, with permadeath mechanics and randomized levels ensuring each run feels distinct.
Gameplay
You control a character who must dart, jump, and shoot through shifting maps. Each level is a gauntlet of enemies that spawn in increasing numbers, forcing you to master timing and positioning. Upgrades are earned by collecting resources, which enhance movement speed, weapon damage, or unlock new abilities. The camera rotates freely, adding depth to combat but requiring quick reflexes to track threats. Sessions last 20, 40 minutes, with permadeath ensuring a fresh start after each death. The Core's mechanics emphasize rhythm, dodging at just the right moment to avoid damage while landing precise shots. The vertical plane introduces new layers to combat, making every encounter feel dynamic but sometimes chaotic.
What Players Think
On PlayPile, The Core holds an 84% positive rating with 16% mixed. Players average 14.5 hours, and 58% have completed the Core’s main objective. Community moods are 52% excited, 33% curious, and 15% skeptical. Achievement data shows 76% unlock the first upgrade within the first hour, while 41% reach wave 50. Review snippets praise its "addictive but punishing" loop but criticize "too similar to other roguelikes." The game’s 8.2/10 critic score highlights its clever movement but notes a lack of long-term variety. Completion rates drop sharply after wave 30, suggesting a steep difficulty curve.
PlayPile's Take
The Core is a niche pick for roguelike fans who thrive on high-stakes action. At $29.99, it offers decent value for its 15-hour average playtime but lacks the depth of AAA titles. Achievements (28 total) add replayability, though 62% of players hit a wall before unlocking the hardest reward. It shines in short bursts but may frustrate those seeking slower pacing. If you enjoy twitch gameplay and don’t mind repeated deaths, it’s worth a try. Otherwise, look elsewhere.
Game Modes
Single player
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