Graven (video game)

Graven is a 2024 first-person shooter game developed by Slipgate Ironworks and published by 3D Realms and Fulqrum Publishing. Graven incorporates elements of the action role-playing game and immersive sim genres to create an "action-adventure puzzler".^[1]

GRAVEN
Developer(s)	Slipgate Ironworks
Publisher(s)	3D Realms Fulqrum Publishing
Engine	Unreal Engine 4
Platform(s)	Windows PlayStation 5 Xbox Series X/S
Release	Microsoft Windows January 23, 2024 PS5, Xbox Series X/S June 25, 2024
Genre(s)	First-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

Graven is an open-ended journey through three expansive regions, where the player will encounter both dangerous enemies and friendly townsfolk. Various hints, quests, and upgrades are obtained from the world's non-player characters. The player can find a wide variety of weapons and spells, each of which must be put to novel use in order to progress. While some spells may be used offensively, most of the combat involves using medieval weapons against eldritch monsters.^[1][2]

The game supports solo play, split-screen co-op, and up to 4-player online play.^[3]

Plot

Players assume the role of a faithful priest of the Orthogonal order, exiled for a crime of retaliation against the order for sacrificing his adoptive daughter. The game begins with the priest adrift in a swamp, ferried by a stranger to solid ground. He bestows vague instructions, along with a mysterious staff and book. The priest embarks to hunt down the foul heretical sects responsible for conjuring plagues and twisting the natural order of the seasons.^[3]

Release

Graven was announced by 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks at the Realms Deep 2020 event on September 6.^[2] The announcement included a 30-minute gameplay reveal.^[4] The game was released on Windows via early access on May 26, 2021. The game was released in full for Windows on January 23, 2024, with versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S was released the same year on June 25.^[5] The game is also scheduled to release for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.^[6]

Reception

Reception

Aggregate scores

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	65/100 (PC)[7]
OpenCritic	64%[8]

Review score

Publication	Score
Shacknews	5/10[9]

Graven received "mixed or average" reviews for the PC version, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.^[7] PC Gamer described as a spiritual successor to Hexen II.^[1]