The Studio Arm Private Limited game called Core Runners has gone live with its closed-beta testing on Android. After a smaller pilot version that took place on December 12-19 2024, the game is currently available to more individuals in an early access period on the Google Play Store. Its Valorant-inspired gameplay is already thrilling the game on having gameplay specially optimized to run on mobile devices.
Gameplay That Combines Strategy and Style
Tactical Combat with Hero-Based Abilities
Core Runners be a 5v5 multiplayer third-person tactical shooter, where each players choose among six different agents what got their own abilitys and skills. The agents not only gives gameplay variety, but it also lets player to make unique playstyle depending on each character. Some agents is kind of similar Icaro, for example, look and feels like Phoenix from Valorant. Even though the similarity is showing, Core Runners still tried giving each agent their own feel through their moving, ability use and also timing mechanics.
Game Modes to Suit Different Styles
Two main game modes are available so far in the beta:
- Core Heist: A generic plant-and-defuse mode where one team must plant a core and the other try to stop them.
- Knockout Rally: A fast respawn mode focused on killing the opposing team.
Both offer competitive depth and casual replayability, with crisp round-based design and objective-based play.
Maps, Weapons, and the In-Game Economy
Three Maps Built for Strategy
The beta contains three exclusive maps, all with strategic chokepoints, levels of elevation, and angles that punish tactical positioning. These are not standard shooting maps they are designed to challenge your aim as well as your decision-making.
Familiar Weapon Loadouts
Guns are categorized into classic shooter genres pistols, SMGs, assault rifles, sniper rifles, and machine guns. A standout gun is the Rebel Rifle, which clearly borrows inspiration from Valorant’s Vandal, providing heavy damage and consistent recoil.
In every round, players spend an economy system on weapons and gear. Money is earned through performance, kills, and outcome of the rounds another mechanic borrowed verbatim from tactical PC shooters but adjusted for controls and pacing in a phone game.
Strong Early Interest and Closed Beta Status
Despite being in beta, Core Runners already reached 100,000 Android downloads. Closed beta is currently only available for Android, with no information yet for iOS or the global full release. Player input during this beta will be used to drive final agent balance, performance tuning, and matchmaking systems.
Final Thoughts
While Core Runners clearly draws inspiration from titles like Valorant, it doesn’t come off as a shallow imitation. Instead, it adapts the hero-based tactical shooter formula thoughtfully for mobile, offering polished visuals, tight round-based gameplay, and touch-friendly mechanics.
With strong early interest and a clear focus on community-driven development, Studio Arm has a solid foundation. If the team continues refining agent balance, matchmaking, and core systems, Core Runners has a real shot at carving out a place alongside other mobile tactical shooters like T3 Arena and Hyper Front.
