Graveyard Keeper

Graveyard Keeper is an engaging sim that's a little too cheap with giving out information.

75%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

84% User Score Based on 14,194 reviews

Critic Score 66%Based on 18 reviews

Platforms

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About

Graveyard Keeper is a single player casual role playing game with fantasy, mystery and business themes. It was developed by Lazy Bear Games and was released on August 15, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Graveyard Keeper is a darkly humorous medieval cemetery management sim, where you'll build and maintain your own graveyard, cut costs, and explore for valuable resources. Face ethical dilemmas, craft items, and expand your business, all while dealing with the game's unique take on capitalism and love.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+13

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 14,194 reviews

story1.3k positive mentions

grinding3.3k negative mentions

story
5,117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
71%
4%
The story of "Graveyard Keeper" is described as interesting and creative, featuring dark humor and engaging characters, though it can feel disjointed and linear at times. Many players appreciate the intertwining quest lines that require completing tasks for various NPCs, but the game is criticized for its excessive grind and time-gating mechanics, which can lead to frustration and a sense of aimlessness. While the base game offers a decent narrative, the DLCs are noted to enhance the story significantly, providing additional depth and context to the characters and quests. Overall, the game is seen as a quirky, humorous take on the farming sim genre, with a unique premise centered around graveyard management.
- “The story is engaging and comical, especially if you just have the base game.”
- “The story is intriguing enough for me to keep playing until I 100%-ed this game despite it being a grindy experience.”
- “The story is fun and the music is bopping.”
- “There are a lot of quests that require you to wait a week for the main story NPC to appear, which can be frustrating when you have to wait for the last few quests to finish up.”
- “The quests are all fetch quests, which is fine at the start, but then at the end of the game they get so repetitive.”
- “The story itself is minimal, and while the DLCs add to it, they also introduce more cliffhangers, making the overall experience feel incomplete.”
grinding
3,339 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The reviews for "grinding" in *Graveyard Keeper* highlight a mixed reception, with many players noting the game's grindy nature as both a charm and a drawback. While some enjoy the extensive resource gathering and crafting mechanics, finding them engaging and rewarding, others feel that the grinding becomes tedious and repetitive, particularly in the mid to late game. The introduction of zombie helpers has been praised for alleviating some of the more monotonous tasks, but the overall sentiment suggests that the game requires a significant time investment and patience, especially for those who may not enjoy grind-heavy gameplay.
- “Super fun to get to a point where all you have to worry about is completing the quests and not really farming resources out for extended periods of time.”
- “Great relaxing game, interesting plot, and mainly for me, it wasn't too grindy.”
- “Which I found not that bad, it’s not too grindy, but enough if you work hard the rewards are worth it.”
- “The quests need variety; 99% of them are just 'bring me this thing,' and then when you complete it the next quest is 'thanks for that, now bring me this other thing.' Moreover, the game wastes so much of your time with grinding and waiting that I just cannot recommend it for anyone who values their time.”
- “The game can be very grindy; money flow is very slow, which can be nice because you feel accomplished when you finally work up to what you needed; but at the same time can be awful when it feels like you spent the entire game learning how to make more efficient zombies and by the time you can make good ones, you don't really need them anymore.”
- “The game is extremely grindy, which to a point is okay, but combined with the lackadaisical in-game direction it just makes for moments of extreme frustration.”
gameplay
2,188 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The gameplay of "Graveyard Keeper" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its unique mechanics and dark humor, while others criticize it for being overly grindy and lacking clear explanations for its systems. Players often find themselves overwhelmed by the number of mechanics and tasks, leading to a reliance on external guides to navigate the game effectively. Despite its charming aesthetics and engaging story, the gameplay can feel tedious and repetitive, particularly due to time-wasting elements and a convoluted progression system that detracts from the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is very addictive and fun, with a good crafting system, incredible tech trees, and lots of stuff to do.”
- “The gameplay loop is very satisfying and chill, enough so that I played it twice all the way through.”
- “Graveyard Keeper stands out as a unique and captivating simulation game that seamlessly blends dark humor with engaging mechanics.”
- “There is a mechanic to time hop, but it's still really slow, and I found myself watching YouTube videos or doing other things to occupy my time just so I could get to the final parts of the game.”
- “It feels like the gameplay mechanics were designed in concept but never playtested to work out whether systems would be intuitive or frustrating or horribly tedious, and every time I want to give something the benefit of the doubt, I am disappointed.”
- “The gameplay is very unintuitive, and I found myself just speedrunning the late gameplay just to finish the game.”
humor
1,554 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Graveyard Keeper" is characterized by its dark, quirky, and often absurd nature, drawing comparisons to games like "Stardew Valley" but with a more macabre twist. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, humorous NPC interactions, and the game's ability to blend morbid themes with lightheartedness, resulting in a unique and engaging experience. While some find the humor hit-or-miss, many agree that it adds charm and depth to the gameplay, making it a standout title for fans of dark comedy.
- “The humor this game employs is a lot of fun.”
- “The characters are quirky and endearing, the writing is witty and often hilarious, and the overall atmosphere is a delightful blend of the macabre and the lighthearted.”
- “Graveyard Keeper is a game that takes the macabre and adds a healthy dose of humor and absurdity.”
- “The world is not very immersive, breaks the fourth wall quite a bit, and the humor falls flat and is kind of cringey.”
- “In today's standards of the gaming industry, I have zero tolerance for real-life political figures/jokes/cameos/doctrines; games are here for escaping reality, not reminding us through unfunny 'jokes'.”
- “Really, really unfunny social/political commentary.”
graphics
1,036 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The graphics of "Graveyard Keeper" are widely praised for their beautiful pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia while maintaining a fresh and charming aesthetic. Many players appreciate the detailed visuals and the way they complement the game's dark humor and unique themes, often comparing them favorably to those of "Stardew Valley." However, some reviews note occasional graphical glitches and a desire for more interactive elements within the visually appealing environments.
- “The graphics are beautiful, and the setting makes me feel like I'm playing Zelda again, except a bit more casual (no combat yet, mostly exploring...combat does come later though).”
- “The pixel art graphics are surprisingly beautiful, creating a nostalgic ambiance that harkens back to classic gaming days while infusing it with modern flair.”
- “The graphics are charming and the gameplay is addicting.”
- “Other than the decent retro style graphic and the calming music, everything else sucks.”
- “The graphics often felt a little too indie, a little too unpolished.”
- “It starts off promising and quirky, but it isn't long before you realize how badly designed the game is - sure, the graphics are nice and the world is quirky, but the actual gameplay isn't there and you won't realize until you've gone through literally hours of unsatisfying grind.”
music
615 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
5%
The music in the game is generally praised for its charm and ability to create a relaxing atmosphere, with many players finding it soothing and fitting for the gameplay. However, a significant number of reviews note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, leading some players to mute it or listen to their own music after extended play sessions. Overall, while the music enhances the game's aesthetic and mood, its limited variety is a common point of criticism.
- “The music is the wonderful type that rarely gets old and has delightful variety.”
- “The soundtrack is unforgettable.”
- “The music is enchanting and calming, adding to the whole atmosphere of the game.”
- “I do love the music, but after 100+ hours, it does start to feel repetitive and almost detract from the experience.”
- “The music is also extremely repetitive, slow, and just not conducive to the core gameplay.”
- “The music gets repetitive and annoying within the first hour, the list of tasks grow and grow, and your progress goes at a snail's pace.”
atmosphere
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming pixel art, dark humor, and whimsical yet macabre tone, creating an immersive experience that captivates players. The combination of engaging music, quirky characters, and a unique setting enhances the overall ambiance, making it a standout feature despite some criticisms regarding gameplay pacing and busywork. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as relaxing and enjoyable, drawing players into its intriguing world.
- “The pixel art style is visually appealing and adds to the game's overall atmosphere.”
- “The characters are quirky and endearing, the writing is witty and often hilarious, and the overall atmosphere is a delightful blend of the macabre and the lighthearted.”
- “From the minute you start playing, you'll be captivated by the beautiful art style and sound design, which creates a unique atmosphere that draws you in and immerses you in the world.”
- “Furthermore, while saying that a graveyard is lifeless is like saying the ocean is salty, there's nothing to the graveyard's atmosphere that makes it feel like an actively-used cemetery.”
- “Dont get me wrong, the setting and atmosphere is there and you get the general and overall feeling of it being a darker cousin to the former mentioned game, but it is so incredibly unpolished, that I have lost a great deal of motivation.”
- “A very optimistic game hampered by illogical design choices, bugs and an atmosphere that reeks of unfinished game.”
stability
150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
2%
95%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, freezes, and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users experienced game-breaking issues, particularly during saving and quest interactions, leading to frustration and loss of progress. While some players noted occasional smooth experiences, the overall consensus is that the game remains unpolished and riddled with technical problems, making it difficult to recommend without significant updates.
- “The game runs fine, no glitches - you can see a lot of hard work and passion went into this project and how it is polished.”
- “The artwork is awesome and it's pretty bug free for a new game.”
- “It has its pros and cons, I think it could use some changes to offer more replay value to it, and the tech tree could use extra information and such, but otherwise the game was incredibly fun and for me, completely bug free.”
- “Game freezes at the same spot consistently and won't allow me to progress any further... pretty lame as I was enjoying it until that point.”
- “The game freezes and crashes during waking up and cutscenes a lot.”
- “It's a buggy, grindfest, beta game that they're pretending is live, when it obviously isn't.”
optimization
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
40%
49%
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, lag, and frame rate drops, even on high-end systems. While some users have found community-created solutions and mods to alleviate these problems, the overall consensus is that the game's performance detracts from the enjoyment and playability, making it frustrating for many. Despite its engaging gameplay and narrative, the persistent optimization issues remain a major drawback for players.
- “There's a community-made spreadsheet with the most optimized layouts for everything from all places you can build things at to how to create the highest rated corpse possible; it really helped me out during my playthrough.”
- “Extremely fun if you like puzzle solving and optimization style of games.”
- “Being able to place machines and such where and how we want allows for better optimization.”
- “Unfortunately, the performance problems of this game make it nearly impossible for me to actually keep playing.”
- “I loved the game, that simple except... as you progress in the game, stuttering starts becoming more and more of a problem, to the point on my new computer, it's unplayable.”
- “The biggest issue I've encountered is the issues with optimization; I've had regular issues with the game stalling, stuttering and sometimes briefly freezing.”
replayability
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
52%
26%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its multiple endings and side quests, while others criticize it for being linear and lacking engaging post-story content. Many reviews highlight that while there are elements that can encourage replay, such as DLC and different play styles, the overall consensus leans towards limited replay value, with some players expressing a desire for more content to enhance replayability.
- “The game also offers a great deal of replay value, with multiple endings and a variety of side quests to complete.”
- “This gives the game a sense of replayability, as you can experiment with different approaches to completing tasks and see how they play out.”
- “Graveyard Keeper is not just an enjoyable activity simulator, like Stardew Valley, but also has a rich story, immersive setting, and a calming replayability that has had me complete the game multiple times and still come back to start a new save.”
- “Only con would be that the game is not really replayable.”
- “The game was okay for what it is, but man, having hidden achievements is a massive slap to the face to anyone trying to complete all achievements without having to start another playthrough... this game has zero replayability and is a grindfest for the sake of grinding.”
- “Unfortunately, because the plot is so linear, there's very little replayability unless you just want to see how quickly and efficiently you can finish it.”
emotional
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding moments of heartwarming storytelling and character backstories that resonate deeply, despite the overall narrative being overshadowed by a focus on gameplay mechanics. While some appreciate the blend of dark humor and touching moments, others feel that the emotional connections are shallow and the story lacks depth compared to similar titles like Stardew Valley. Overall, the game offers a unique emotional experience, but it may not satisfy those seeking a more profound narrative.
- “Some of the storylines are sweet and heartwarming, and it's interesting learning the backstories of the different characters.”
- “The story and writing can be dark yet funny, and even quite touching at times.”
- “The story is well planned and arranged, and the endings to the quests can make people shed a tear if they are really devoted to the game.”
- “Overall, the game has plenty of play time, is pleasing to look at, listen to, and progress through, but has the drawback of a boring story, minimal world building, and is confusing for beginners.”
- “- boring story”
monetization
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
4%
90%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players feeling that the developers prioritize cash grabs through DLC and intrusive in-game advertisements over meaningful content updates. Users express disappointment that essential features and improvements are locked behind additional purchases, leading to a perception of the game as incomplete and exploitative. Overall, the presence of ads in a paid game and the reliance on DLC for content have left many feeling that the game is not worth its price, likening it to a mobile cash grab.
- “Microtransactions: none.”
- “The design decisions feel like something you would see in a grindy mobile game that wants you to throw money at the game, but this is a PC game with no microtransactions, so why make it so painful.”
- “I no longer feel this game is worth purchasing at any price... it basically feels like a mobile free-to-play with all the microtransactions stripped out.”
- “The add-on content, while not being reviewed here, still smacks of valuing empty cash grabbing over meaningful content addition.”
- “Forcing in-game ads via an update for a game you already paid for is not something I enjoy.”
- “I love what this game is at its base, but some of the things it does to get there, and the incomplete state without the first two expansions make it very difficult to not see this as a cash grab, selling parts of the game that feel like they should have been in the base game.”
character development
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
69%
10%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the depth and complexity of certain characters, while others criticize it as slow and lacking substance. Many reviews highlight the need for more character design options and meaningful interactions to enhance player attachment, drawing comparisons to games like Stardew Valley. Overall, while there are moments of strong character development, many feel it falls short of its potential, leaving a desire for more engaging and dynamic character arcs.
- “The characters all have a complex personality, and there is wonderful character development as you uncover their story.”
- “Prepared yourself for an endearing and somewhat meaningful storyline, with a very detailed progression in terms of character development.”
- “The quirky character designs and atmospheric music enhance the overall experience, pulling players deeper into the intriguing world of the game.”
- “Depth of game and character development is a shallow pond.”
- “There's a lot of wasted potential in this game where rewards and cut scenes and character development could have been built here, but it's like they ran out of money and released the game.”
- “Despite various issues with character development, where the main quest givers do undergo change, they still feel shallow and uninteractable, serving only as hollow quest repositories required to complete the game.”

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66%Critics’ scoreBased on 18 critic reviews

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35h Median play time

54h Average play time

15-70h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 195 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Graveyard Keeper is a casual role playing game with fantasy, mystery and business themes.

Graveyard Keeper is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iPhone, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 54 hours playing Graveyard Keeper.

Graveyard Keeper was released on August 15, 2018.

Graveyard Keeper was developed by Lazy Bear Games.

Graveyard Keeper has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Graveyard Keeper is a single player game.

Similar games include Bear & Breakfast, My Time At Portia, Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story, Staxel, Travellers Rest and others.

Graveyard Keeper

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A day in the afterlife --- Graveyard Keeper review