Gravelord

Release Date: January 22, 2025 Early Access

Action, FPP, FPS, indie games, shooters, boomer shooter, singleplayer

93%

Steam

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A boomer shooter from the authors of Vaporum series, inspired by Doom, Quake and Duke Nukem. In Gravelord we play as a gravedigger named Queedo. We go through gothic locations, eliminating hordes of enemies and searching for secrets. Our protagonist relies on a range of firearms and a shovel which can also be used to teleport.

Story
Gameplay
Graphics

Gravelord is a boomer shooter drawing inspirations from the classic series such as Doom, Quake or Duke Nukem. The game was developed by Fatbot Games - an independent Slovak development studio, which previously delivered two titles under the Vaporum IP.

Story

The main character of Gravelord is the gravedigger Queedo. Although he is "as dumb as a boot" and has an appearance worthy of Frankenstein's monster (which makes him "as strong as an ox"), he still comments on the world around him in a way that even Duke Nukem would not be ashamed of. The protagonist's goal is to avenge his father's death, in which his shovel and a wide range of more conventional weapons will help him.

The story is conveyed through cut-scenes and comic book pages waiting to be collected.

Gameplay

In Gravelord the action is viewed from a first-person perspective (FPP). The adventure leads through locations maintained in a style reminiscent of Gothic horror. While exploring them, we mainly focus on eliminating hordes of enemies, as well as discovering shortcuts, secrets, and passages to the next areas.

Arsenal and upgrades

We get rid of the obstacles standing in our way by making use of an extensive arsenal that includes a rock pistol, a shotgun, a Gatling gun, and a rocket launcher. Additionally, on Queedo's forearm there is a shovel. Interestingly, it also enhances exploration, as the protagonist can throw it and teleport to the places it hits.

As we progress, we develop the gravedigger, collecting tarot cards. It can expand the range of his combat capabilities. Additionally, as we progress, we improve our arsenal, unlocking an alternative, more powerful firing mode for each weapon.

Level editor

The icing on the cake is the level editor, in which we can create our own maps and missions. It has been enriched with a number of useful features, led by automatic texture application and geometry adjustment.

Graphics

The graphic design of Gravelord was made in cel-shading technique and maintained in a style inspired by FPS games from the turn of the centuries.

Videos and Screens

[1:11] Gravelord - Early Access Launch Trailer

[0:32] Gravelord - Early Access Release Date Announcement Trailer

93%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (56)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Satisfying Gunplay: Players consistently praise the shooting mechanics, noting that the weapons feel accurate, have great feedback, and do not require reloading, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the combat.
Fluid Movement: The movement mechanics are described as smooth and fast-paced, allowing for a dynamic gameplay experience reminiscent of classic boomer shooters like Quake.
Level Design: The levels are well-crafted, featuring interesting vertical layouts and secrets that encourage exploration. Many reviews highlight the creativity in level design and the overall aesthetic appeal.
Engaging Protagonist: The main character's personality and voice lines add a layer of charm to the game, making the experience more enjoyable.
Tarot Card System: The inclusion of Tarot cards as power-ups is seen as an intriguing mechanic that allows for some customization in gameplay.
Visuals and Art Style: The game features modern graphics with a unique art style that combines high fidelity with a cartoonish aesthetic, appealing to many players.

The main cons of the game

Enemy Design: While enemies are generally considered fine, some players feel they lack the satisfaction of defeat seen in other boomer shooters. Critiques include tanky enemies and less impactful death animations.
Difficulty Balance: Some reviews mention issues with enemy spam and combat balance, particularly in later levels, leading to chaotic situations that can detract from the experience.
Limited Content: As the game is in early access, there are concerns about the amount of content currently available, with some players expressing a desire for more levels and features.
Control Issues: A few players noted issues with weapon switching controls and the character's movement feeling unnatural at times.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

More Variety in Tarot Cards: Players desire a greater variety of Tarot cards to enhance gameplay diversity and encourage different strategies during playthroughs.
Enhanced Enemy Feedback: Suggestions include improving hit feedback and animations for both enemies and the player to make combat feel more impactful.
Additional Game Modes: There are requests for more game modes, such as endless modes or additional challenges, to extend replayability.
Improved AI Behavior: Some reviews indicate a need for better enemy AI to create more engaging and interactive combat scenarios.
More Unique Environments: Players hope for a broader range of environments and enemy types to keep the gameplay fresh throughout the campaign.

Summary

Overall, Gravelord is well-received for its core gameplay mechanics and nostalgic appeal, but there are several areas identified for improvement as it continues to develop in early access.

Summary generated on: February 17, 2025