Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse, developed by Frontside 180, is a 2D action title that sends players into haunted dungeons to rebuild a broken settlement through repeatable runs and exploration. The game pairs Metroidvania-style progression with roguelite runs, supporting cooperative play and a hub for permanent growth between attempts. Key systems include a hat-based possession mechanic, procedural dungeon layouts, and village construction that unlocks lasting upgrades. It targets players who favour challenging action-platformers and cooperative replay.

What kind of game is Never Grave?

You start as an outcast with a living hat and a reason to push deeper into shadowed corridors, so choices shape both immediate survival and long-term growth. The central loop mixes short, risk-focused dungeon runs with hub-side advancement, where collected materials fund permanent improvements to the home settlement. That structure asks players to balance moment-to-moment combat with resource allocation that affects future play sessions.

How does multiplayer change the experience?

Exploration becomes tactical when friends join, because the title supports up to four participants in both local and online co-op. Group play broadens available strategies as players can combine different approaches to encounters and bosses, and cooperative runs often alter the challenge pacing. Teams that coordinate possession attempts and role distribution find mechanical synergies that solo runs do not naturally provide.

What does the game look and sound like?

Lantern light reveals hand-drawn panels and a dark-fantasy palette that the art direction leans on heavily; character silhouettes and enemy designs read clearly in combat. Visual consistency helps distinguish interactive elements inside sprawling rooms, while the presentation frames the atmosphere around each encounter. Audio cues support combat rhythm, making attacks and enemy telegraphs easier to follow during hectic moments.

Is it hard to get started?

Death matters here in a way that rewards repetition: temporary items and run progress are lost on failure, yet some resources persist to fund the settlement’s growth. That arrangement raises the stakes early, so new players must adapt to switching body and playstyle when using enemy abilities. Thus initial runs can feel demanding, but the retention of upgrades softens the long-term curve.

Never Grave is a strong pick for players who enjoy experimental runs

Never Grave suits action-platform fans who like testing new tactics every run, especially those who appreciate cooperative problem-solving. The game's design rewards strategic adaptation to enemy abilities and patient resource management; some players who prefer handcrafted, predictable levels may find the procedural variety less appealing. For players after repeatable, tactical dungeon sessions with meaningful hub progression, it is a worthwhile choice.