Graven is an exhilarating blend of fast-paced combat and immersive world-building that evokes the nostalgia of classic titles like Doom and Gothic. This indie gem combines old-school graphics with modern physics, frame rates, and details, creating a unique experience that feels both fresh and familiar. The result is a game that hooked me just as much as the ones I played for weeks on end as a kid. Unfortunately that is only the case for 2/3 of the game.
At first glance, Dark Realms might seem like a throwback to likes of Heretic and its pixelated past, but don’t be fooled by its retro aesthetic. The game’s design is a carefully crafted homage to the classics, with a level of detail and polish that modern technology affords. The environments are richly detailed, and the lighting effects add a layer of depth that enhances the gothic atmosphere. The developers have struck a perfect balance between the charm of old-school graphics and the benefits of contemporary graphical enhancements, creating a visually engaging world that never feels outdated.
One of Gravens’ standout features is its level design. For the majority of the game, the levels are intricate and well-thought-out, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity. Each area is packed with secrets, hidden pathways, and cleverly designed puzzles that make backtracking a delight rather than a chore. There’s a dip in the design quality, with later sections feeling a bit repetitive or less inspired, but these moments are few and far between. Overall, the level design is a testament to the developers’ understanding of what makes exploration fun and engaging. Especially with how the world connects, after battling your way through horrifying creatures and finding a new weapon or spell you end up unlocking a a shortcut back to the ‘hub’, Dark souls style. When I unlocked that shortcut I very quickly remembered all the paths nearby that were blocked by a similar looking device or textured wall and run to see what’s behind them with excitement.
The gameplay in Graven is where it truly shines. The combat is fast-paced and intense, clearly inspired by the frantic action of Doom. You’ll face off against groups of varying enemies, each encounter a test of reflexes and strategy. Managing your ammo and choosing the right weapon for each situation adds a layer of tactical depth to the mayhem. The variety of weapons and spells at your disposal keeps the combat fresh and exciting. Each new weapon you discover not only changes your approach to combat but can also be used to solve puzzles and unlock previously inaccessible areas, seamlessly integrating combat and exploration.
Drawing inspiration from Gothic, Graven offers a world rich with lore and populated by intriguing NPCs. The world-building is robust, with each location and secret fitting into the dark world that Graven displays before the player. The NPCs you encounter further show the player that the world of Graven is brutal, horrifying and dangerous. My favourite way that Graven helps you build a very vivid image of the brutalities before you is with secret notes found laying around as you explore. These notes may just be ramblings of a dying man or something that leads you to a seemingly normal house that hides dark secrets behind boarded up doors.
As you progress through Graven, the sense of discovery is ever-present. New weapons, spells, and abilities are introduced at a satisfying pace, each one opening up new gameplay possibilities. The integration of these elements into both combat and puzzle-solving is masterful. The joy of finding a new spell or weapon is compounded by the realization that it can help you overcome obstacles that previously blocked your path. This continuous sense of progression keeps the gameplay loop engaging and rewarding.
I have definitely enjoyed my time with the game and will go back to finish it fully but during my early time reviewing I have experienced a game breaking bug. There are some technical issues present but I have only noticed them while fighting large groups of enemies near a checkpoint, as it appeared to save every time I left and re-entered the proximity. But then a couple hours into the game, my PlayStation told me that something went wrong with the save data. So I went back to a checkpoint and the game simply exited to the main menu, no crash, no stutter, no message, just back to main menu. after trying to recover the save file I decided I enjoyed the game enough to replay those hours and I started again. After that the game broke even more with being somewhere in between two save states, my quests, and equipment cleared. But some gates that were meant to be locked were open, quest givers that are meant to open some gates, not there. it was completely game breaking and luckily it didn’t happen to late in the game.
Graven is a brilliant fusion of the best elements from Doom and Gothic, creating a game that shows great promise in both combat and exploration. Its old-school graphics, enhanced by modern technology, offer a charming and visually rich experience. While not without its flaws, the level design is generally excellent, and the gameplay is nothing short of exhilarating. The combination of fast-paced combat, intricate world-building, and a satisfying progression system makes Graven a easy recommendation for fans of classic and modern games alike. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia or a new engaging action-adventure game, Graven is sure to have you hooked.
Graven came out of early access in 01/23/2024 and is available on all major platforms as of 25/6/2024.
