It’s time for our very first major content update of 2025, and we’re starting things off with a BANG! That’s right, Core Keeper’s Bags & Blasts update is out now. This free update features a whole host of new content added to the game as well as bug fixes, performance improvements, and quality-of-life updates. Read the full patch notes here!
An Explosive New Update
We’ve added a new “Explosives” skill tree with 8 new skills to the game, and what better way to hone this skill than with the addition of new bomb types? From the powerful Void Bomb (which drags in nearby enemies and then explodes) all the way to the Blunder Bomb (which triggers a series of explosions).
Bombs aren’t the only way to make a bang in the underground though! We’ve added a whole new type of explosive to the game in the form of throwable Grenades with unique effects. Whether you’re looking to stun your enemies, set them on fire, poison them, or even charm them, there’s a grenade for every occasion.
Inventory Overhaul
We’ve been keen to revisit Core Keeper’s inventory management system ever since we launched in 1.0, and we’re pleased to report that we’ve made lots of improvements to this feature. First up, we’ve introduced Pouches, an all-new management system that comes in different sizes and rarities. These handy additions allow you to carry items like ores, seeds, fish, and other valuables with you in separate, dedicated spaces, providing new ways to house your items without sacrificing valuable inventory space.
Secondly, we’ve added a handy new hotbar swapping feature, allowing you to choose which inventory row appears in your hotbar at the push of a button (or the click of a shortcut). We know how important organisation can be, which is why we’ve also added a new quick-stack button to the player inventory UI, allowing you to send items to all nearby chests (there’s a shortcut for this too). Oh, and we’ve also introduced a new inventory item-locking feature in case there are any items you’d like to keep exempt from sorting and quick-stacking.
Nimruza, Queen of the Burrowed Sands
What’s a major content update without a little challenge? Meet Nimruza, Queen of the Burrowed Sands – a brand-new boss. You’ll find her deep within the Desert of Beginnings, but be warned! It’s not just Nimruza you’ll need to contend with, but her brood of super-cicadas too. Explorers with keen eyes will have spotted references to Nimruza’s brood across the underground from all the way back to Early Access, and we’re excited to build on this mysterious piece of Core Keeper lore!
Welcome to the Oasis
With an all-new boss comes a brand-new sub-biome: the Oasis. These pockets of paradise can be found all over The Desert of Beginnings, and are home to hardy Aloe plants and Water Reeds, as well as a new breed of cattle known as the Drohmble! These adorable creatures drop a valuable (but stinky) resource that’s useful for crafting explosives.
More Magic
We’ve been keeping an eye on community requested features and we know you’re keen for us to build on the Summoner and Mage playstyles. With that in mind, we thought we’d start off with a new multi-purpose weapon known as the Corrupted Meteor Staff, a new offhand item called the Minion Detonator, and a magical new pet known as the Arcane Symbiote…and this is just the beginning! We’ll be building upon Core Keeper’s magic system in future updates too.
Tools, Workbenches, and Decorations
One of our favourite parts about major updates is getting to add content across the entirety of the game. Explorers will be able to build and craft from two new workbenches – the Laboratory Table (craftable from the Scarlet Workbench) and the Pouch Workbench (bought from the Bearded Merchant). We’ve also added a new tool type known as the Trowel, which will assist Explorers with seed placement, giving them more control over their crops. You’ll also find two new paintable decorations within your workbenches: Tapestries and Banners!
Update Your Existing Worlds
Core Keeper is growing with every update and we’ve been working on a way to ensure that players can enjoy some of our newer content without having to start new worlds. Keep an eye out for the addition of the Content tab to the World Info menu. This tab gives players the option to overwrite previously explored areas to add new content from various updates (such as boss dungeons) to their existing worlds. Using this feature means that players won’t always have to start afresh to enjoy features that are usually tied to world-generation. Please note that this new feature does not apply to Classic worlds.
So Much More…
You’ll spot all kinds of new additions as you explore, including new achievements, over 25 new pieces of equipment, enemies, and more. We could keep going, but this Steam post would just get longer and longer! For a full look at everything we’ve added in Bags & Blasts, check out the patch notes here.
We hope you have fun getting to grips with all of Core Keeper’s new additions, Explorers! Keep an eye out for more hints at what’s to come from our Notes From the Underground series, and don’t forget to let us know what you think about this update over on official Core Keeper X, BlueSky, and Discord.