Pugstorm shipped Ver.1.3 'Riders of the Underground' for Core Keeper on September 21, 2026, the first of three parts in the 'The Road to the Great Maw' update plan. Ver.1.4 'Trials of the Abyss' and Ver.1.5 'Beyond the Rift' remain unreleased.
Pugstorm's Core Keeper is in the middle of a three-part major update plan. The studio revealed in August 2026 that what began as one project, 'The Road to the Great Maw', grew large enough to split into three versions: Ver.1.3 'Riders of the Underground', Ver.1.4 'Trials of the Abyss', and Ver.1.5 'Beyond the Rift'. The first two parts deepen existing systems. The third is the final chapter of the game's current arc, following the January 28 release of 'Void and Current'.
The first part shipped on September 21, 2026, as a free update for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch, published by Fireshine Games. Ver.1.3 adds the Saddle, an item that turns any livestock animal into a mount that players can ride, rename, and set to stay put, wander, or follow. It also adds the Moss sub-biome, a Reptilian livestock species called Oreks, the Hookshot for crossing rifts and gaps, new weapons and armor, and adjustments to mage and summoner playstyles. Three pets arrive with different abilities: Pyokohop, described as coming from the sea, grants a slipperiness effect and attacks at range, while Azeos Jr., described as coming from the sky, can stun enemies.
What is settled is the structure of the remaining plan: Ver.1.4 'Trials of the Abyss' and Ver.1.5 'Beyond the Rift' are still to come, with the latter described as the final chapter. What Pugstorm has shipped so far in the plan is Ver.1.3 and nothing else.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
2d ago
Pugstorm released the Underground Riders update for Core Keeper on September 21, 2026. It adds the Moss sub-biome to the Forgotten Ruins, the Orex livestock animal, a Saddle that lets players ride all livestock animals, and a Hookshot as left-hand equipment for crossing gaps. Minions now exist permanently, and the update adds the King's Scepter weapon and pets including Azeos Jr. CEO Fredrik Prantare discussed it at Tokyo Game Show 2026.
4d ago
Pugstorm and publisher Fireshine Games released the free Core Keeper update Riders of the Underground on September 21, 2026 (Japan time), for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The update is version 1.3. Its centerpiece is the Saddle, a new item that turns any livestock animal in the game into a mount. Players can ride those animals, rename them, and set their behavior to stay put, wander, or follow. A new sub-biome, Moss, spreads green growth through stone ruins and is home to Oreks, a reptilian livestock species. The Hookshot lets players cross rifts and gaps. Three pets arrive with different abilities: Pyokohop, described as coming from the sea, grants a slipperiness effect and attacks at range, while Azeos Jr., described as coming from the sky, can stun enemies. New weapons and armor are included, along with adjustments to mage and summoner playstyles.
Aug 15
Pugstorm revealed the full plan for the Core Keeper major update 'The Road to the Great Maw', which follows the January 28 release of 'Void and Current'. The update was originally one project but grew large enough to split into three versions: Ver.1.3 'Riders of the Underground', Ver.1.4 'Trials of the Abyss', and Ver.1.5 'Beyond the Rift'. The first two deepen existing systems, and the third is the final chapter.