GRAVEN

The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it intriguing due to its dark fantasy elements and environmental storytelling, while others criticize it for being vague, poorly structured, and lacking depth. Many players express frustration over the absence of quest markers and clear guidance, leading to aimless exploration and confusion about objectives. Overall, while the atmosphere and lore have potential, the execution of the narrative leaves much to be desired, often feeling disjointed and underdeveloped.

The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising its unique retro-modern art style and atmospheric visuals that evoke nostalgia for classic '90s titles. However, performance issues, including poor framerate and optimization problems, detract from the overall experience, leading some players to express frustration despite the appealing aesthetics. Overall, while the graphics are often described as beautiful and immersive, technical shortcomings hinder their full potential.

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the excellent music, graphics, and level design that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles like "Hexen" and "Heretic." While the richly crafted environments and moody soundscapes draw players in, some critiques point to repetitive enemy designs and gameplay frustrations that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game's atmospheric world and aesthetic appeal remain its strongest selling points, making it a compelling choice for fans of dark fantasy and retro-style games.

The game is widely criticized for its severe stability issues, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and soft locks that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players have experienced frustrating problems such as broken mechanics, unresponsive controls, and a lack of proper save functionality, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and unpolished. Despite some enjoyable elements, the overall stability remains a major concern, with many reviewers advising caution due to the game's current state.

The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, while others criticize its volume and presence during gameplay. Some players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, contributing to the game's immersive dark fantasy setting, while others note that it can feel sparse or inconsistent at times. Overall, the music is generally regarded as good, complementing the visuals and atmosphere effectively, but there are calls for improvements in its mixing and volume levels.

The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and unengaging, with players expressing frustration over repetitive backtracking, uninteresting combat, and poorly designed mechanics that hinder enjoyment. Many reviews highlight the lack of meaningful upgrades, frustrating enemy respawns, and a convoluted navigation system that detracts from the overall experience, making the game feel more like a chore than an adventure. Overall, the grinding elements contribute to a sense of monotony and dissatisfaction, overshadowing any potential enjoyment.

The optimization of *Graven* has received significant criticism, particularly due to its early access status, which has resulted in numerous bugs, performance issues, and inconsistent gameplay experiences. Many players report severe performance degradation over time, including stuttering, physics glitches, and memory leaks, even on modern hardware. While some users have experienced acceptable performance, the overall consensus highlights a need for substantial improvements in optimization to enhance stability and gameplay satisfaction.

The game's replayability is a mixed bag among users; some find it lacking due to a short completion time and limited content, while others appreciate the potential for varied playthroughs through side quests and different playstyles. Many hope for improvements post-early access to enhance replay value, drawing comparisons to more replayable titles like Dark Souls. Overall, the current state suggests that while there are elements that could support replayability, significant enhancements are needed for a more fulfilling experience.

The humor in the game is described as hit-or-miss, with some players finding amusement in quirky bugs and character interactions, while others feel that the humor falls flat, particularly in moments of frustration or immersion-breaking scenarios. The inconsistency in world actions and the reliance on guides for progression also contribute to a comedic yet frustrating experience. Overall, while there are funny elements, they often do not elevate the gameplay sufficiently.

The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism, with some players feeling it resembles a cash grab, particularly due to the high price of $23 for a release that offers less content than a previously available free demo. Concerns about the game's potential abandonment and reliance on nostalgia further contribute to a negative perception of its monetization approach. Overall, many users express disappointment and reluctance to recommend the game based on its current pricing and content value.

The emotional response to the game is mixed; while it successfully captures a retro FPS vibe, it also evokes feelings of boredom reminiscent of older titles like Hexen.