GRAVEN
A faithful priest of the Orthogonal order–exiled unto death for a crime in defense of another–you live again in a small boat, adrift in a swamp. A stranger ferries you to solid ground and bestows upon you a cryptic warning, along with a mysterious staff and book. Go forth, pious priest, alleviate suffering, uncover deceptions, and smash the eldritch perversions encroaching upon reality itself.
Perhaps you will even earn your peace.
A marriage between modern development tools and techniques with a stark late 90s aesthetic brings the first person action-adventure GRAVEN to life! Featuring character designs by Chuck Jones (Duke Nukem 3d, Half-Life) and the voice talent of Stephan Weyte (Blood, Fire Emblem, Dusk) in a dark yet distinct medieval fantasy experience.
- Solve puzzles and scour lore to uncover the motives of the foul heretical sects behind the plagues and seasons undermining the land.
- Spread fires, charge machinery, reveal hidden paths, and freeze rivers to walk across.
- Discover new weapons and upgrade them at blacksmiths and alchemists to customize your capability.
- Expand your horizons by returning to old stomping grounds with new abilities and seeing how far down the chasms go and what powers they hide.
- Slay over twenty distinct enemies and three bosses in an ever broadening world across multiple biomes.
- Band together with up to 7 friends in hectic cooperative play.
- Walk the parallel path, lest you stumble into the recesses of the world and reality becomes only a bitter plaything.
Game Discussion
Steam User 95
Graven got a lot of people confused about its genre and intentions. Many gave it a bad review because they wanted the game to fit their own definition of a preferred genre, rather than judging it for what it actually is.
The game is neither an immersive sim nor an RPG — definitely not a boomer shooter, and certainly not a strict “Hexen spiritual successor.” Anyone expecting one of those genres will likely be disappointed.
But for those who enjoy interconnected level design with unlockable shortcuts, punishing deaths that make you lose currency, tough enemy encounters that force you to plan rather than go in guns blazing, Metroidvania-style progression and backtracking, and hard bosses that require learning their patterns — all wrapped in a dying dark fantasy world — you’ll feel right at home with Graven!
I know a lot of die-hard FromSoftware fans who would kill me for saying this, but Graven truly feels like what happens when you apply light Soulsborne design elements to a late-’90s FPS. And for that alone, it deserves some love.
Steam User 15
Honestly a great game that does not deserve the hate at all. Yes there are bugs and yes some parts feel rushed but none of that is game breaking. It is definitely worth an attempt; I suggest using the auto saver from the guides in case you get a corrupt save which never happened to me thankfully. Solid game all around but the ending was stupid; they are just setting themselves up for a sequel which isn't necessary and probably won't happen anyway. I wish the kicking actually sent weaker enemies flying but sadly it is clunky. Most people haven't seen the end of Act 1 so keep that in mind when reading reviews. Give it a respectable go.
Steam User 8
Mixed feelings.
The game's current Steam reviews are much worse than the actual experience, in my opinion. At its core, this could be a great game, but it feels like it was never properly polished. You’ll constantly run into small bugs, weird physics, and other little issues.
On top of that, the mandatory searching for objects and key items became increasingly frustrating. The game doesn’t provide a map or much in the way of guidance, so if you come across a locked door, you might end up spending the next two hours searching for a key — only to realize it was something you were supposed to find earlier.
That being said, the gameplay itself is enjoyable, and personally, I think the atmosphere and visuals are really strong.
I finished the game, and if you really like what you see in the screenshots and have the patience for some of its rough edges, I’d definitely recommend giving it a chance — especially during a sale.
Steam User 8
Clearly an unfinished and unfortunately abandoned game, but worth it if you are desperate to scratch that Hexen itch like me
Steam User 5
I quite liked Graven -
I found the first map a bit confusing because its large, complex, and there isnt a map/easy way to add waypoints etc to help remember where stuff is - its very old school! But when you get ok with playing an old school game again, and engaging neurons which dont fire in modern ganes, you'll find its well made, its fun, it has great combat (lots of varied weapons, and elemental effects), its well balanced etc.
Stuff I liked less: walking through water (its slow). But you can shoot water with electricity and shock everything in it, including you, so thats neat. Not realising you can only go through some "doors" after you get items later in the game and travel back to uncover secrets. Losing money on death - and I died a bunch :)
I wont play this through again, while its a good game, its not GREAT.
Steam User 5
retro style, good action, big maps, lot of secrets, vibe of good old Heretic
Steam User 7
Frankly i dont understand why this game gets so much hate. i just finished it at the time of writing and i think it was great. dont get me wrong there was deffinatly some jank and i had a few gripes here but looking past that there is a good game here and i still enjoyed my time. if you like me decide to ignore the unfair negative reviews and give Graven a try yourself keep a couple things in mind.
1. the game isnt perfecct so dont be too discouraged by a little jank here and there.
2. this game will not hold your hand so dont go into it thinking its your typical action "boomer shooter." combat is unforgiving and rescources are precious.
3. if you wack an enemy and it vanishes turn around its likely behind you ready to strike.
4. explore. there are lots of secrets and your curiosity will be rewarded but if an enemy or trap keeps killing you chances are you arnt supposed to be there yet or you need to try a different approach.
thanks Devs for a fun time all things considered.