GRAVEN is a first-person action RPG adventure set in a dark medieval fantasy world. Players take on the role of an exiled priest who returns from death to confront eldritch threats, using a combination of melee weapons, spells, and environmental interactions to progress through an open-ended campaign.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat across multiple biomes. The priest wields a staff and book to manipulate the environment, such as spreading fires, charging machinery, revealing hidden paths, and freezing rivers to create crossings. Combat mixes medieval weapons with spells against more than twenty distinct enemy types and three bosses. Players discover new weapons and upgrade them through blacksmiths and alchemists, allowing customization of capabilities. Returning to earlier areas with expanded abilities reveals new depths in the world, including chasms and hidden powers. The experience emphasizes uncovering lore and motives of heretical sects responsible for plagues and seasonal disruptions.
Game Modes
GRAVEN supports single-player progression through its story-driven campaign. Cooperative play allows up to seven players to join in the same world for shared exploration and combat. The design focuses on this co-op option alongside solo play, with no separate competitive modes or additional named variants confirmed in available details.
World and Progression
The game unfolds across three expansive regions filled with townsfolk, quests, and upgrades obtained from non-player characters. Puzzles require creative use of spells and weapons to advance, while secrets reward thorough searching. The aesthetic draws from late 1990s styles with modern tools, featuring character designs and voice work that enhance the distinct atmosphere. Progression involves expanding abilities to revisit locations and access deeper areas.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception has been mixed, with critics noting strong level design, atmospheric environments, and puzzle variety alongside issues like floaty movement and inconsistent combat pacing. The game suits players who enjoy retro-inspired first-person experiences that blend action, exploration, and light RPG elements in a fantasy setting. Those seeking polished modern shooters or fast-paced action may find the deliberate pace and occasional technical rough edges less appealing. It remains available as a complete single-player and co-op title without ongoing seasonal content or major post-release updates noted in recent reports. Fans of methodical fantasy adventures with environmental mechanics will find the most value here.
