Deep Rock Galactic is one of the best cooperative shooters on Steam. A new spin-off promises an interesting roguelite twist.
Uh… what? Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core is an upcoming co-op shooter for up to 4 players. The popular dwarf franchise so far includes the co-op shooter Deep Rock Galactic and the roguelite Deep Rock, both of which are great representatives of their respective genres. To complete the circle, the new shooter comes with a special roguelite twist.
Already at the announcement in May 2025, the anticipation among dwarf fans was high, and with a new trailer, the creators have now announced the release date. Early access starts on May 20, 2026, on Steam.
Against Creepy Aliens with the Pickaxe
What is known about the game? In Rogue Core, you take on the role of the “Reclaimers,” an elite unit of the Deep Rock Galactic Corporation. Equipped with a pickaxe, you venture into the deepest regions ever explored by a dwarf, where unforeseen dangers await.
In typical roguelite fashion, you start over again with the simplest equipment, collecting new weapons and abilities during a run to eventually become an absurdly overpowered dwarf.
What is the mood in the community? It is, to say the least, positive. In the comments under the trailer on YouTube, one often reads the mantra “Rock and Stone,” but there is also some more concrete feedback.
For example, user no.5689 praises the “absolutely insane alien design,” while modman287 feels reminded of Dead Space from 2008.
Holoflux jokes about “a whole Deep Rock Galactic-verse,” probably a reference to “cinematic universes” such as those created by Marvel or DC, but not all fans are pleased about it. Some feel that Rogue Core could also have been a mode or DLC for the existing game. This way, many of the familiar mechanics would be lost.
Overall, however, anticipation seems to outweigh the concerns, and many fans can hardly wait for the launch.
The original Deep Rock Galactic impresses with a simple gameplay principle, allowing players to blast massive enemies with heavy weapons without having to think too much. With this compelling combination, it secured a spot on our list of the 25 best shooters of 2026 – These PvP and PvE games impress with their gameplay.
