A new early access release called Gravelord has dropped into my library this week. It’s a fast-paced retro-styled shooter, developed by Fatbot Games, s. r. o. We make sure the dead stay dead all the while saying cheesy one-liners and leaving fresh corpses in our wake. Gravelord is out now on Steam for £18.48.
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Is it worth it, or should it stay dead, buried, and forgotten?
We get a simple set-up to Gravelord’s story with the main character Queedo narrating. He explains that it’s his job as the Grave Digger to ensure the dead get their last rest. Now, you think it would be easy but nope. Thanks to a rival, an elixir of life has been made and the dead now walk. So now it’s Queedo’s job to make sure they stay dead. So with his trusty shovel, we get off to work.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Gravelord, like most retro-shooters, focuses heavily on the action. We start off with a shovel but then quickly gain a decent arsenal of weapons, like the traditional shotgun and chain gun. Finding the same gun in the level will unlock its alternative fire mode (only the shovel doesn’t get one from being found). They come in handy when dealing with larger waves of foes. For me, the chain gun’s alt-fire is the most fun since it gives your bullets a ricochet effect.
What makes Gravelord stand out to me is the use of cards that you find throughout each level. They provide Queedo with various buffs, but only three cards are allowed at once. Some help with healing, while others will provide more damage. The plague card was useful as it gave the player the chance to spawn a rat that would draw fire.
Traversal and enemies
You do mainly run around in Gravelord, but that’s not all you will do to get around. Sometimes you’ll have to swim through areas and manage your oxygen while another cool way is via the shovel. The shovel can get a temporary upgrade for the level called the Spector Shovel. What this does is allow Queedo to (I want to say) teleport to a blue crystal wall and only those walls.
Enemy variety is something I personally look forward to for these types of games. And Gravelord has a good selection to go up against. Some are the typical ghoul/zombie, while others are large bulky divers who wield a grenade launcher. There are others, but I rather not spoil them.
Graphics & Audio
Gravelord suits its dark fantasy style really well. I like the dark and grungy environments, but it still has lighting for key parts, so you’re not simply wandering blind. I love Queedo’s voice, and his many quips and references. His voice heavily reminds me of the dwarves in Deep Rock Galactic.
Another brilliant touch is the comic books you can collect. I like how they’re used to tell the story, and how well drawn they are. Similarly, the card’s artwork is equally great, and I love the way they’re designed. And of course, where would a retro-style shooter like this be without its excellent heavy metal? It feels great to riot around the room with the music pumping you up.
Longevity
Gravelord so far spans over eight levels and one bonus level. I’ve finished the current content within 6 hours, which isn’t too bad. There are comics in the game to collect that give the player more lore to the world which I like. And there are secrets in the game for you to hunt down. So far I haven’t seen a roadmap, so I couldn’t say what to expect.
Final Thoughts
The gameplay is solid, and the levels aren’t too tedious to traverse through. Enemies aren’t bullet sponges and the guns themselves all react nicely. I never feel like I’m sticking to one gun. Queedo himself has a great voice and personality, and I chuckle at his one-liners. I had no issues while playing the Gravelord. The various levels with different focuses don’t leave me bored. Although the water level was a little tricky while navigating. All in all, I found Gravelord fun and even right now, you’d be a ghoul not to pick it up.
Disclaimer: A code was received to write this review.
