Graven

Graven is an old-school dark fantasy first-person shooter that somehow feels like no other, taking cues not only from classics like Hexen but also throwing in elements of RPG, immersive sim, and more, creating a mix that feels unique and engaging. The game’s lengthy campaign does feature some questionable progression at times, with somewhat needless soulslike elements, time-consuming puzzles, and ...

GRAVEN manages to recreate the 90s action game, but that comes with the same issues that those games did.

A brand new outing by 3D Realms, the company once known for being one of the founding fathers of first-person shooting as we know it, and now one of the main publishers of retro-styled shooters out in the market? Wait a sec, a game that does indeed feature elements from retro shooters, but is also an RPG hybrid? Yep, there were lots of reasons for me to be drawn towards Graven like a moth to a fla...

Graven is another trip into the past and an attempt to make a modern game as if it were still the 90s. The creators did it too well, because their production seems even more hardcore and archaic than many titles from that period.

Graven tries a little too hard to bring back the glories of early 90s shooters and gets the look right, but doesn't seem to realize the gameplay's retrograde complications dampen the potential enthusiasm.

GRAVEN is a dark fantasy first-person shooter, harkening back to the ‘boomer shooters’ of the late 90s. In this latest offering from Slipgate Ironworks, you take on the role of a priest who is mysteriously transported to a land ravaged by an unknown plague. You’re handed your trusty staff and set loose to uncover the secrets that are devastating this land, and potentially the whole world. You’ll f...

It feels like there were some very specific ideas the creators of Graven wanted to communicate. But while those ideas sometimes weave together with the game’s dark fantasy, old-school shooter style to form some immaculate vibes, that’s about as deep as it gets. The game seems confused about whether or not it wants to be an awesome action game, a thoughtful explorative puzzler, or some kind of muta...

Despite three years in Early Access, it's hard to recommend Graven at launch. From odd design choices to bugs and progression issues, the unfortunate conclusion is that Graven is a real missed opportunity.