Choose Core Keeper
Choose Core Keeper if you want an Action, Simulation, and RPG game with Multi-player, Online Co-op, and Co-op. On Steam, it's the newer release (2024) and ships with the modern feature baseline. 22,806 Steam reviews back the pick.
Core Keeper vs Cave Explorer
Core Keeper and Cave Explorer both land in Indie, Adventure on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Indie, Adventure on Steam. Cave Explorer (2021) is 3 years older than Core Keeper (2024). Core Keeper scores higher on Steam reviews (94.8% positive) than Cave Explorer (90% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Cave Explorer
Choose Cave Explorer if it's currently about 75% cheaper on the Steam Store. Cave Explorer launched in 2021.
Both Core Keeper and Cave Explorer sit in Indie and Adventure on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Core Keeper |  Cave Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2021 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Adventure, Simulation, RPG | Indie, Adventure |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 4.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 94.8% positive (22,806 reviews) | 90% positive (10 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Pugstorm | CnockCnock |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Adventure on Steam.
- Cave Explorer (2021) is 3 years older than Core Keeper (2024).
- Core Keeper scores higher on Steam reviews (94.8% positive) than Cave Explorer (90% positive).
- Cave Explorer is currently ~75% cheaper on Steam than Core Keeper (4.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- Core Keeper has co-op; Cave Explorer does not.
- Core Keeper is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Cave Explorer has no Deck rating yet.
Core Keeper vs Cave Explorer — FAQ
- Should I play Core Keeper or Cave Explorer first?
- If you want chronology, Cave Explorer (2021) came out before Core Keeper (2024). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Core Keeper and Cave Explorer similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Adventure on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does Cave Explorer have multiplayer like Core Keeper?
- No. Core Keeper supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op), while Cave Explorer is listed as single-player only.
- Does Core Keeper run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Core Keeper is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Cave Explorer doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.