Realms Deep 2020 kicked off today with the announcement of GRAVEN. The game is an upcoming immersive sim from 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks, the developers who brought us Rise Of The Triad 2013, Bombshell, and Rad Rodgers. Described as a first-person puzzler, it puts you in the shoes of a wrongly convicted priest who must seek redemption.
A Retro Immersive Sim
GRAVEN takes a fair amount of inspiration from the old school of immersive sims. The game won’t have traditional quests, as the developer doesn’t want the game holding your hand too much. But you are given a journal that will keep track of what you’re supposed to be doing. So the focus is put on the game being as open as possible, it seems.
The demo that was shown off showcased some impressive mechanics, such as the ability to throw objects. This ability can apparently be used in co-op to throw health potions to your friends so they can heal up when taking damage.
They also showcased how damage spreads between objects, allowing you to destroy things such as crates in chains. Hopefully, this also means you can chain enemy attacks and have fire and electricity spreading between enemies for some massive damage.
GRAVEN, similar to other 3D Realms titles, will feature some awesome gibs and gore. Definitely seems to have some satisfying combat by the looks of it. And the spells you can obtain seem to be pretty fun to use as well.
A Co-op Experience
What’s most intriguing about GRAVEN is the fact it will have co-op. And since the game has such a retro style, it will hopefully be like playing a co-op Deus Ex. Details on the co-op aspect were a bit vague and it doesn’t seem to have been fully implemented yet. But it’s definitely something to look forward to as this world seems worth getting lost in.
GRAVEN is further helped by the voice talent of Stephan Weyte, who famously voiced Caleb in the original Blood and Blood II: The Chosen. This guy has some serious cred in the retro shooter scene, to say the least. It also features character designs by Chuck Jones. Jones famously worked on both Half-Life and Duke Nukem 3D.
GRAVEN releases for PC on Steam in 2021, so go wishlist it if you want to be notified when it becomes available.