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graphics and the benefits of contemporary graphical enhancements, creating a visually engaging world that never feels outdated.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.

Echo Generation is a turn-based RPG developed by Cococucumber. The game features heavy 90s nostalgia, a hilarious story, and a fun turn-based combat with quick-time mini-games to help you in fights. Initially released in 2021, Midnight Edition adds a few features to improve upon the original release. Its whacky humor and fun combat make for a short but sweet adventure.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Your character is a teenager living in a 90s suburban neighborhood. The beginning parts of the game have your character solving quests like finding something for your sister or giving candy to a baby in exchange for a comic book. However, you quickly discover that strange things are happening in this neighborhood, like aliens crashing into a nearby field. While exploring that alien ship, you find your dad, and it’s up to you to solve the various mysteries in the town. A lot of progression involves collecting items that can be exchanged for other items that can help. For example, a plot point involves your school principal being a kidnapper. To prove he is guilty, you steal a doll from his house to give to someone else, and later, you get his basement key to free a kidnapped child while fighting the principal. The game features a lot of item collecting and backtracking, but exploring the world is very relaxing.

Combat is also fun. It is turn-based, with some added mini-games to deal additional damage. Most of these mini-games are just timing when you press buttons in various ways. Such as pressing certain buttons in order or quick time events. Timing these perfectly will deal more damage with your skills and take less damage from enemy attacks. Combat is simple, and the enemies you fight are, for the most part, easy to deal with. As you explore the world, you will encounter comic books, giving you access to stronger skills, such as a hockey charge or a backstab attack. These comic books correspond to the different party members you recruit.

Stranger Things

The first thing you notice about the game is that it takes a lot of inspiration from Stranger Things. Echo Generation also leans into the nostalgic themes that Stranger Things leans into. The other thing you notice about the game is that this game is very strange, but strange in the best way. Your party members include your pet cat, a robot, and a raccoon you pick up along the way. The enemies you fight, from mutant rats to buff raccoons to aliens. It’s like a kid’s imagination ran wild and turned into an RPG. The 3D voxel art style is unique and fun to look at. The soundtrack is relaxing and cozy. Everything about this game has a quirky charm that is delightful to experience.

Echo Generation: Midnight Edition is an upgraded version of the original game. This time, the game offers some quality-of-life features, like fast travel, which came in handy when traversing the world. The quest tracker is a new feature that is nice when collecting many items. It’s nice to know who wants which item. There are changes to combat, balance, and bug fixes in the new edition, but these changes highlight what Midnight Edition offers fans looking to return to the game. It’s also a great jumping-off point for people looking to play a fun RPG.

Aliens Exist

Echo Generation: Midnight Edition is quirky, hilarious, and fun. It perfectly blends turn-based RPG combat with waves of nostalgia. Fans of RPGs, indie games, or just looking for a trip back to the 90s will have a blast with this game. My only gripe is that I wish the game were a little longer.