Never Grave has drawn significant attention for its aesthetic similarities to Hollow Knight, but the title functions as a distinct roguelike Metroidvania. Published by Pocketpair, the game tasks players with exploring dungeons, battling enemies, and managing a village that serves as a central hub for progression.
Core Gameplay and Possession Mechanics
The defining feature of Never Grave is its possession system. Players control a sentient witch hat that can inhabit defeated enemies. Once a body is possessed, players gain access to the creature's specific move set and an additional health bar. This mechanic shifts the gameplay from simple combat into a more tactical exploration of the dungeons.
Outside of the dungeons, players manage a ruined village. Constructing and upgrading buildings provides tangible benefits for future runs, such as:
- Stat increases for the protagonist
- Access to new abilities
- Crafting recipes for essential consumables
Mobile Performance and Controls
For those playing on mobile devices, the current experience involves a loop of dungeon runs that conclude by returning the player to the village to utilize gathered resources. While the combat system provides nuance through melee attacks and a variety of spells, the touch controls may present challenges for some users.
Reports suggest that movement inputs can be inconsistent on touch screens due to D-pad placement. Players looking for a more precise experience can connect a controller, which is fully supported and improves input accuracy significantly.
Quick Facts
- Genre: Roguelike Metroidvania
- Key Mechanic: Enemy possession via a sentient witch hat
- Progression: Village-building system for stat and ability upgrades
- Control Recommendation: Controller usage is suggested for mobile to avoid touch-input issues