Deal | Released in May, this dwarf-themed roguelike shooter is free to play on Steam

Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core sends players into dark mines, either alone or with up to three fellow dwarves, to fight aliens, collect equipment and make it out alive. The roguelite first-person shooter entered Early Access in May 2026, but its initial reception was mixed due to a strict time limit, limited ammunition and underwhelming upgrades. Developer Ghost Ship Games now appears to be trying to draw more attention to the still relatively new co-op shooter by offering a free trial weekend.

Players can choose from five classes with different abilities, ranging from the Guardian, who protects the team, to the Slicer, who tears through aliens with an energy blade. The action takes place in procedurally generated caves, with players working their way deeper underground one level at a time. Unlike the main game, Rogue Core puts a stronger emphasis on combat and fast-paced action. A timer is constantly ticking on every level, forcing the team to decide whether taking a detour for extra loot is worth the risk.

Criticism at launch focused primarily on the time pressure. Many players found it too stressful and felt it left little room for exploration. Choosing upgrades together also caused frustration, as it interrupted the flow of the game and the upgrades were not always particularly appealing. Since then, changes have included adjustable timers and difficulty, more ammo and the ability to reroll upgrades. The ratings have now improved: While only 61 percent of the 15,000 total reviews are positive, the roughly 350 recent reviews reach at least 71 percent.

Anyone who wants to see how the game has improved can play Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core for free until November 16. At the same time, a 50% discount brings the regular price down to around $15. According to SteamDB, the game has never been this cheap before.

The following trailer offers a look at the gameplay:

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