There are two certainties in life: death and taxes. While neither is particularly welcomed, a new co-op game titled Begraved invites players to embrace both with a sense of excitement. Developed by Grip Jaw, a team that includes members from the acclaimed Valheim, I had the opportunity to experience the game during the Steam Next Fest demo. Accompanied by co-founder Emilia Oscarsson, community manager Jade Mcintosh, and ‘World Weaver’ Robin Eyre—who was humorously dubbed ‘sexy bear’—I dove into a world filled with blood puddles and fiery mishaps, setting the tone for an adventurous session.
Exploring the Unique Blend of Genres
Begraved fits snugly into the emerging ‘friendslop’ genre, which balances cozy gameplay with elements of horror. Players embark on missions in various dungeons, collecting treasures to sell to the enigmatic Taxman. The gameplay loop is straightforward: choose a mission, venture forth, and aim to survive. However, during our session, survival proved to be a challenge—not just from the in-game enemies, but also from my teammates’ antics. If I go silent, you’ll know why.
The inspiration behind Begraved stems from the team’s admiration for Lethal Company, with a vision to create a more cohesive gaming experience. Players can customize their hideout, altering their character’s appearance and decorating their surroundings, even acquiring black cats—though Mcintosh humorously suggested barbequing them. This hideout serves as a central hub for missions and a social space for players to gather.
“We want people to stay,” Eyre explained. “We want you to care about the hideout and decorate it, then go into these scary places, bring experiences back, and almost have, like, these trophies—‘remember when we got this bench?’ You can have an experience that is longer than just a few hours. That’s why we want to have the save progression and the storyline that we’re setting up.” This narrative thread not only encourages players to return but also provides a satisfying conclusion.
Mcintosh added, “It’s cozy vibes. I’m not much of a cozy gamer, but I appreciate that you can make your hideout look really nice. We want bonuses for that—there are going to be some bonuses applied to things you bring back as well for the more functional, mechanical gamer. We’re not trying to appeal to everyone, but we do really want to give that sense of progression and ownership.” Eyre even floated the idea of a “pet cemetery,” prompting Mcintosh to quip about the fate of the burnt cats. The goal is to cultivate a sense of home and warmth in a world that can often feel cold.
Dungeons and Gameplay Mechanics
The heart of Begraved lies within its dungeons. As someone who enjoys horror games but tends to scream at jump scares, I was surprised by how genuinely spooky the game felt. Eerie, doll-like ghosts appeared unexpectedly, curses launched projectiles when least expected, and lumbering zombies emitted chilling cries. “Watch the spikes,” Oscarsson advised, just before I inadvertently walked right into them, eliciting laughter from her as she too got lost in the chaos.
However, death in Begraved is not the end. Players can revive their allies at designated restoration points, albeit one at a time. If teammates fall, they can float as helpful ghosts, illuminating paths in red or blue. This interactive mechanic keeps players engaged, allowing them to contribute rather than merely spectate. There’s always that one player who thrives on chaos, adding to the fun.
In a delightful twist, Begraved includes a selfie camera reminiscent of the quirky monsters found in tabletop campaigns. When Eyre handed it over for a test run, it quickly became a source of laughter and joy as we snapped selfies with various emotes. For someone accustomed to competitive games or darker RPGs, the sheer enjoyment of playing for fun felt refreshing and unexpectedly heartwarming.
At its core, Begraved is about the essence of fun. When I inquired why Eyre and Oscarsson chose to create a new game and studio amidst the pressures of launching Valheim 1.0, Eyre simply stated, “because it’s fun.” In an era where video games often prioritize cinematic experiences over pure gameplay, Begraved serves as a reminder of what gaming truly represents.
The Begraved demo is available now and will continue to be accessible after Steam Next Fest. It’s important to note that this is an early demo, and players may encounter bugs—both literal and metaphorical. My advice? Set them on fire; it worked wonders for us.