Gravelord: A Modern Spin on Classic Boomer Shooters

Gravelord takes everything fans love about boomer shooters—fast-paced combat, arena-style levels, and over-the-top protagonists—and adds a fresh, creative spin that sets it apart from its retro predecessors. Developed with modern visuals, innovative mechanics, and a protagonist full of sassy one-liners, Gravelord manages to feel both nostalgic and cutting-edge. Whether you’re blasting through hordes of enemies or teleporting with the game’s unique Spectral Shovel, Gravelord delivers a chaotic and satisfying experience.

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The Plot: Revenge, Graves, and Sarcasm

In Gravelord, you play as Queedo the Gravedigger, a brash, larger-than-life protagonist seeking revenge against those responsible for his father’s demise. Armed with a Spectral Shovel and an arsenal of destructive weapons, Queedo’s mission is simple: lay waste to the enemies in his way and uncover the truth behind the murder.

The story, told through comic book-inspired cutscenes and collectible pages, is a lighthearted romp filled with dark humor, absurdity, and enough personality to keep you entertained. Queedo’s Cockney-accented quips and exaggerated reactions bring a sense of fun to every moment, even when the action gets intense.

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Gameplay: Classic Boomer Shooter Foundations With Modern Twists

Gravelord stays true to the core principles of the boomer shooter genre, delivering fast-paced, arena-style combat that feels like a love letter to games like Doom and Quake. The game’s mechanics, however, include several modern innovations that make it stand out:

Spectral Shovel

The Spectral Shovel is a game-changer. This unique mechanic allows you to teleport short distances, providing tactical advantages during combat and platforming challenges. Whether you’re dodging enemy fire, reaching new areas, or creating shortcuts through levels, the shovel adds a layer of strategic depth to the gameplay. It’s a clever twist that complements the game’s breakneck pace.

Tarot Cards

Another standout feature is the Tarot Card system. These collectible cards grant powerful upgrades and abilities, but players can only equip a limited number at a time. This forces players to make strategic decisions about their playstyle. Do you prioritize health regeneration, increased firepower, or air superiority? Experimenting with card combinations adds replayability and encourages creative approaches to each run.

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Combat: Brutal, Balanced, and Addictive

Combat in Gravelord is chaotic in the best way possible. The game’s arsenal features a mix of traditional and unconventional weapons, including guns with secondary fire modes unlocked through upgrades. From shredding enemies with shotguns to launching devastating rockets, every weapon feels impactful and satisfying.

The battles themselves are intense and well-balanced. Enemy density keeps you constantly on your toes, while the variety of foes—from swarming mobs to projectile-spamming mini-bosses—ensures you’re always thinking about positioning and ammo management.

For added variety, the game includes a wave mode that pits you against endless hordes of enemies. It’s a great way to test your skills and push your loadout to its limits.

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Level Design: A Creative Playground

Each level in Gravelord is meticulously crafted, combining sprawling arenas with verticality and environmental hazards. The abstract, geometric layouts are heavily focused on gameplay rather than realism, creating spaces that feel like playgrounds for chaotic combat.

The levels are also filled with secrets, rewarding exploration with collectibles like Queedo’s beloved dashboard figurines and additional power-ups. These hidden treasures encourage players to scour every corner, adding an extra layer of engagement to the game.

However, some sections of the game’s platforming mechanics can feel unforgiving, particularly in levels with instant-death hazards. While the checkpoint system helps alleviate frustration, these moments can briefly interrupt the otherwise smooth flow of the game.

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Visuals and Sound: Bold and Unique

One of Gravelord’s most striking features is its art style. Unlike many retro-styled boomer shooters, the game opts for a modern, high-fidelity look with bold, cartoonish outlines reminiscent of Borderlands. This artistic choice makes the game stand out while still paying homage to its old-school roots.

The soundtrack is equally impressive, delivering pulse-pounding tracks that enhance the adrenaline-fueled action. From the satisfying crunch of enemy deaths to Queedo’s sarcastic commentary, the sound design ties the whole experience together.

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Early Access: A Polished Foundation

Despite being in Early Access, Gravelord feels surprisingly polished. The movement, shooting mechanics, and level design are all solid, providing a great foundation for future updates. The current campaign offers several hours of gameplay, and the wave mode adds even more content. With promises of additional levels, weapons, and features like a level editor, the game’s replayability is only set to grow.

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Strengths and Weaknesses

What Makes Gravelord Shine

• Fast-Paced Combat: The gameplay is smooth, chaotic, and addictive, with an arsenal that feels powerful and versatile.
• Innovative Mechanics: The Spectral Shovel and Tarot Card system add depth and variety to the gameplay, setting the game apart from traditional boomer shooters.
• Creative Level Design: Each level is thoughtfully designed with engaging combat arenas and hidden secrets to discover.
• Unique Visual Style: The bold, modern art style stands out in a genre dominated by retro pixel art.
• Humor and Personality: Queedo’s witty one-liners and the game’s tongue-in-cheek tone bring levity to the action.

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Where It Could Improve

• Limited Content (Early Access): While polished, the current content may feel brief for players craving a longer campaign.
• Enemy AI: Some enemies have pathing issues, occasionally getting stuck on objects or failing to fully engage in combat.