[Today's Steam] Deep Rock Galactic Spinoff Launches, Receiving 'Mixed' Reviews

gamemeca Ⅰ Lee Woo Min 2026.05.21 11:19 UTC+9

TL;DR (2-3 Sentence Summary)

The new Deep Rock Galactic spinoff, 'Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core,' launched in early access on the 21st and immediately climbed to second place on Steam's global trending games list. However, user reviews have settled at a 'Mixed' rating. Rogue Core is a cooperative shooter developed by the original studio, Ghost Ship Games, set on the planet 'Hoxxes,' where mining operations have been halted due to an unknown catastrophe. With all communication severed due to the 'Grayout' incident, the Deep Rock Galactic mining company deploys elite security agents, 'Reclaimers,' to reclaim the facilities.

▲ Steam's Top 10 Most Played Games Worldwide as of 10 AM, May 21st (Source: Steam)

(Rankings accessed via a US IP to display games not typically visible in Korea)

Deep Rock Galactic's new spin-off, 'Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core' (hereafter 'Rogue Core'), has rocketed to second place on Steam's global popularity charts following its Early Access launch in the early hours of the 21st. However, player reception has been decidedly 'Mixed'.

Developed by the original creators, Ghost Ship Games, Rogue Core is a co-op shooter set on the planet 'Hoxxes', where mining operations have ground to a halt due to an unexplained chaos. Compounding the issue, the 'Grayout' event has severed all communication with the mining sites, prompting the Deep Rock Galactic mining company to deploy elite security operative 'Reclaimers' to reclaim their facilities. It's a classic tale of corporate intervention, really.

As a Reclaimer, your mission is to purge enemies, tame the planet, and uncover hidden intel. Much like its predecessor, you can team up with up to four players, each selecting a preferred class. This time around, however, we're treated to five new classes: Guardian, Spotter, Falconer, Slicer, and Retcon. Oh, and a fresh arsenal of weapons, including the Shock Striker and Hammer Caster, have been added to the mix.

The star of the show, or perhaps the talking point, is the roguelite-infused progression system. Each mission begins with basic gear, but the core loop involves levelling up to upgrade your equipment and abilities, crafting potent builds on the fly. Once a mission concludes, you'll return to base, where permanent stat enhancements await.

▲ Rogue Core Trailer (Video Source: Ghost Ship Games Official YouTube Channel)

로그 코어 스크린샷 (사진출처: 스팀) — ▲ Rogue Core Screenshot (Photo Source: Steam)

As of 10 AM on the 21st, Steam user reviews stand at 'Mixed' (2,425 participants, 65% positive). While the new weaponry, enemies, and roguelike elements offer a fresh take, complaints have surfaced regarding the seemingly unfair difficulty, citing inadequate defence, scarce ammunition, and frustrating time limits.

Furthermore, the inability for players to select the same upgrade options during levelling is a significant point of contention. The critique suggests that because players pick their upgrades sequentially, those lower in the order might miss out on desired choices, even if available. This, apparently, breeds more team-based resentment than camaraderie.

Elsewhere on the global charts, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has secured a respectable seventh place, buoyed by an all-time high 70% discount. '007 First Light', slated for release on the 27th, has snagged eighth place after revealing its precise launch time.

5월 20일 오전 10시 기준 스팀 일 최고 동시접속자 TOP 20 (자료출처: 스팀) — ▲ Steam's Daily Concurrent Players TOP 20 as of 10 AM, May 20th (Source: Steam)

Meanwhile, in the Daily Concurrent Players TOP 20, most rankings remained stable. 'Subnautica 2' saw a dip to 10th place with 141,718 concurrent players, a decrease of roughly 20,000 from the previous day. 'Naraka: Blade Point', which received a new 'Lawful Treasure & 봉화백련' update on the 20th, has entered the charts at 19th, pushing 'Deadlock' out of the top 20. Adieu.

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This news was translated by AI.

Lee Woo Min, Reporter

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[Today's Steam] Deep Rock Galactic Spinoff Launches, Receiving 'Mixed' Reviews