Graveyard Keeper! A Cemetery Simulator Where Ethics Are Optional!

Graveyard Keeper! A Cemetery Simulator Where Ethics Are Optional!

Hold onto your pitchforks and shovels, because Graveyard Keeper isn’t your average graveyard management sim. This morbidly delightful indie gem throws you into the shoes of a freshly-arrived (and decidedly unassuming) caretaker in a medieval village plagued by poverty, superstitions, and, yes, a whole lot of corpses. Forget manicured lawns and serene mausoleums; this is a game where moral ambiguity reigns supreme, and your decisions about what to do with those dearly departed will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about right and wrong.

Developed by the quirky Lavapotion studio and released in 2018, Graveyard Keeper draws inspiration from the classic “Stardew Valley” formula but throws a deliciously dark twist into the mix. You’ll be building and managing your own cemetery, crafting tombstones, tending to graves, and even (gasp!) harvesting body parts for profit and experimental purposes. Don’t worry, it’s all in good fun, right?

The Gruesome Grind: Building a Cemetery Empire

At its core, Graveyard Keeper is a resource management game where you must balance the needs of your cemetery with the demands of the quirky villagers who surround you. You’ll start with nothing but a dilapidated graveyard and a rusty set of tools, tasked with turning this desolate plot into a thriving (and slightly morbid) business.

The gameplay loop revolves around gathering resources, crafting items, tending to graves, and fulfilling requests from the townsfolk. You’ll be chopping wood, mining ore, farming crops, fishing for sustenance, and even exploring abandoned mines for rare materials. As your cemetery grows, you’ll unlock new buildings and features, including a chapel for weddings (presumably not attended by the deceased), an alchemy lab for concocting questionable potions, and even a dungeon for holding… well, let’s just say it’s best to keep those details under wraps.

Ethics: Optional Extra?

One of the most intriguing aspects of Graveyard Keeper is its exploration of ethical ambiguity. While you can certainly choose to run a respectable graveyard, catering to the needs of the grieving and honoring the dead, the game constantly tempts you with morally questionable shortcuts.

Need money for a new tombstone? Why not sell some “fresh” body parts on the black market? Want to learn alchemy but lack the necessary ingredients? Perhaps a littleGrave robbing might be in order. The choices are yours, and each decision will have consequences that ripple throughout the game world.

A Pixelated Feast for the Eyes (and Soul?)

Graveyard Keeper boasts a charming pixel art style reminiscent of classic RPGs like “Undertale” or “Stardew Valley.” The villagers are delightfully quirky, with distinct personalities and amusing dialogue, while the cemetery itself takes on a haunting beauty as you restore it to its former glory.

The soundtrack is equally evocative, blending medieval melodies with haunting synth elements to create an atmosphere that’s both whimsical and unsettling.

Beyond the Grave: A Legacy of Content

Since its initial release, Graveyard Keeper has received numerous content updates and expansions, adding new storylines, characters, and gameplay mechanics. Whether you’re tackling quests for the enigmatic Church, unraveling the secrets of a mysterious cult, or simply trying to make your graveyard the envy of every necromancer in the land, there’s always something new to discover.

Should You Join the Graveyard Crew?

Graveyard Keeper is a unique and captivating game that will appeal to players who enjoy resource management sims with a darkly comedic twist. Its compelling blend of quirky characters, engaging gameplay mechanics, and thought-provoking ethical dilemmas makes it a truly memorable experience.

If you’re looking for a game that challenges conventions and leaves you pondering the nature of life (and death), then Graveyard Keeper is definitely worth digging into.

Just don’t forget to wear your rubber gloves.

Production Details

  • Developer: Lavapotion
  • Publisher: Lazy Bear Games
  • Genre: Cemetery Management Sim, RPG, Adventure
  • Release Date: August 15, 2018
  • Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS

Key Features:

Feature Description
Cemetery Management Build and maintain your own cemetery, crafting tombstones, tending to graves, and expanding the grounds.
Resource Gathering & Crafting Collect wood, mine ore, farm crops, fish for food, and craft a wide variety of items.
Questing and Storylines Complete quests for villagers and uncover secrets hidden within the game world.
Morality System Make ethically ambiguous choices that affect your reputation and the world around you.
Alchemy & Black Market Experiment with alchemy and sell questionable goods on the black market to earn extra income.