3D Realms and 1C Entertainment have unveiled Graven. The action-RPG makes no secrets about its influence with the game’s director directly stating that it is Hexen III in spirit. Check out the reveal trailer here!
Calling Graven a mere spiritual successor to the Hexen series would actually be a disservice to what developer Slipgate Ironworks has planned for their new project. While the Hexen games were fairly traditional 90s FPS games, Graven promises a multitude of mechanics.
Besides action combat, there are puzzling and RPG elements as well. Players will have to use not only weapons and spells but also the environment itself to progress further. How you go about solving the obstacles is up to you.
A faithful priest of the Orthogonal order, exiled unto death for a crime in defense of another, you live again in a small boat, adrift in a swamp. A stranger ferries you to solid ground and bestows upon you vague instructions, along with a mysterious staff and book. Go forth, pious priest, alleviate suffering, uncover deceptions, and smash the eldritch perversions encroaching upon reality itself.
Yes, if this rings a bell it’s because Graven looks to become a brand-new immersive sim. In that sense, it’s more akin to the Shock franchises or Deus Ex. A very welcome change of pace for other 1990s inspired FPS titles like Ion Fury or Wrath: Aeon of Ruin.
While the reveal trailer does a good job of setting the tone for the dark fantasy world of Graven, you absolutely need to check out this gameplay commentary walkthrough to learn more about the mechanics and world of the game. And if you want total immersion, check out the half-hour pure gameplay walkthrough, too.
Graven is planning to come out in 2021. Only a PC version has been confirmed as of now.
