The “boomer shooter” renaissance is in full swing, and if you thought you’d seen every take on the retro FPS formula, think again. Enter Gravelord, a game that takes the frantic, secret-filled, key-hunting chaos of classics like Doom and Quake, then slathers it with a thick, gruesome layer of dark fantasy humour and a few genuinely fresh twists. Developed by Fatbot Games, this title is shaping up to be a standout in the modern retro shooter scene.

The Good, The Badass, and The Gravedigger

In Gravelord, you step into the enormous boots of Queedo the Gravedigger, a protagonist described as “dumb as hell but strong as an ox,” on a quest for vengeance. Forget your silent protagonists; Queedo is a sassy antihero in the vein of Duke Nukem, armed with a Cockney accent and a treasure trove of witty (and often rotten) one-liners.

The premise is simple: an alchemist named Keron Husk murdered your father and unleashed an undead scourge. The solution? Run, jump, and blast your way through grotesque, Gothic-themed levels.

A Symphony of Speed and Shovels

At its core, Gravelord is about pure, unadulterated speed. The movement is fluid and fast, encouraging constant aggression and skilful manoeuvring. But what sets it apart from a simple clone is its unique mechanics:

• The Spectral Shovel: This isn’t just a melee weapon; it’s a traversal tool. You can use your “Total Uber Shovel” like a grappling hook or a dash ability, allowing you to cover great distances, overcome obstacles, and launch yourself out of the clutches of a monster horde. It adds a whole new dimension of verticality and dynamic movement to the classic run-and-gun.
• The Tarot Card System: This roguelike-inspired feature adds a layer of depth and replayability. As you progress, you collect magical Tarot Cards that offer various buffs and combat options. Since you can only equip a few at a time, you’re constantly faced with strategic choices about what combination best suits your current playstyle—do you go for a defensive build with “Armour on Kill” or stack up damage boosts?

Level Design That Demands Exploration

One of the game’s greatest strengths, frequently highlighted by early access players, is its level design. Eschewing realism for fun, the maps are complex, hand-crafted labyrinths packed with hidden secrets, challenging platforming sections, and expertly choreographed monster closets. You’ll be traversing graveyards, crypts, and magmatic crematoriums, constantly circling back through areas you thought you’d cleared, thanks to clever use of traversal abilities and looping layouts. If you miss the intricate, non-linear maps of the 90s, Gravelord is a glorious throwback.

The Verdict (So Far)

Currently in Early Access, Gravelord already feels like a complete and deeply satisfying experience. It successfully blends the nostalgic crunch of retro shooters with modern visual polish, a unique grappling mechanic, and the strategic layer of the Tarot Card system.

If you’re a fan of boomer shooters—or if you just miss the days when games prioritised non-stop, glorious carnage and intricate level exploration—Gravelord is an essential addition to your library. Get ready to put the fun back in funeral.

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Gravelord is available now in Early Access on Steam.

Gravelord https://fatbot-games.com/

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