If you're desperately awaiting the launch of Terraria 1.4.5 and you haven't yet played Core Keeper, consider today's patch a reminder to check in on one of the best co-op survival sandbox games in recent years. Boasting a 92%-positive Steam score from 40,000 reviews, Core Keeper's mixture of exploration, digging, crafting, building, and climactic boss battles make it one of the best options to fill that Terraria-shaped gap in your gaming schedule. Developer Pugstorm's new major upgrade makes it even bigger and better, with more storage options, dangers, and explosions at your fingertips.
New best sandbox games will be intimately familiar with the particular pain of a full inventory, and so the new pouches will be a very welcome fix. They offer ways for you to carry the likes of ores, seeds, fish, and valuables in their own separate, dedicated hold-alls without cramping your valuable storage space. Once you get back to base, you'll also spot the addition of one of the most-requested quality-of-life features, the immensely time-saving 'quick stack to nearby chests' tool.
Next up is the blasts – and yes, that means new bombs. "We've had lots of fun coming up with unique ways for each of our new bombs to interact with the world," Pugstorm teases, "but the fun doesn't stop there." Alongside these additions is a brand-new set of explosive delights in the form of throwable grenades, which come with a range of different effects as well as a specific 'explosives' upgrade tree to improve your ability to blow things up.
Wander the Desert of Beginnings in the new update, and you might spy what looks like a lush paradise. The new Oasis sub-biome is a welcoming sanctuary among the sands, and you'll discover new flora such as aloe plants and water reeds, along with another species of cattle that'll provide you with plenty of valuable resources.
Be careful which way you walk, however. The mighty super-cicada Nimruza, Queen of the Burrowed Sands has moved into the desert, bringing her brood along with her. Delve into her complex history with the Cavelings and use the new tools at your disposal to bring this royal family to bear. That's not all, however; there are all manner of enemies, new decorations, and even additional tools for mages and summoners to be discovered here. Expect a hearty helping of secrets to find as well.
The Core Keeper Bags and Blasts update launches on Steam Monday March 10. You can pick up the game right here if you're ready to solve the mysteries its sprawling open world holds buried in the depths.
Seeking something else you and your friends can enjoy together? Here are the best crafting games on PC.
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