Dungeons, Laughs, and Pandemonium: A Whimsical Dive into Begraved
The Chaotic Charm of Begraved
In a universe filled with somber video games that take themselves too seriously, Begraved zooms in like a goofy sidekick, reminding us that it’s not only okay to have fun, it’s downright essential! Created by the fine folks at Grip Jaw—including key players from the Valheim squad—Begraved is unleashing chaos and camaraderie in its cooperative dungeon crawler demo.
During a recent play session accompanied by co-founder Emilia Oscarsson, community manager Jade McIntosh, and the enthusiastically dubbed ‘sexy bear’ (seriously, he was promoted on the spot) Robin Eyre, we plunged into this whimsical yet terrifying world. Imagine starting with blood puddles and Oscarsson bursting into flames—just the usual Tuesday night, right?
A Dungeon Delve into Madness
If you haven’t caught onto the vibe, Begraved is what the cool kids are calling ‘friendslop.’ It’s an intriguing mix of cozy and horror where your mission—should you choose to accept it—is to delve into dungeons, collect troves of loot, and then toss your coinage at the looming Taxman, who’s certainly more terrifying than your last visit to the bank.
The mission’s formula is brilliantly simple: select a quest, brave the unknown, and try your absolute hardest to avoid dying—spoiler alert: we did not succeed at the last part. The real threat? The eerie enemies and maybe, just maybe, the chaotic antics of your friends while you’re all trying not to trip over your own feet in the dark.
Born from a love affair with Lethal Company, this game wants to take that bouncing ball of chaos and wrap it up with some real gameplay consistency. Your hideout isn’t just a place to keep your loot; it’s a customizable paradise. Here, players can deck out their characters, redecorate the cozy nook, and even—with a chuckle—add black cats to their collection (though beware, McIntosh had some questionable culinary suggestions for those felines!).
The central premise? It transforms your hideout into a trophy case of your adventures—imagine the pride of showcasing the bench you snagged during a campaign! According to Eyre, the goal is for players to build a connection with their hideout, return home post-dungeon, and reminisce about the spoils of your escapades.
“It’s all about those cozy vibes,” McIntosh adds, unexpected coming from someone who doesn’t typically dabble in the warm-fuzzy genre of gaming. There are even bonuses for sprucing up your hideout! The aim is to strike a balance, appealing not only to the casual gamer but also to those who crave progression and ownership.
Don’t forget about the proposed ‘pet cemetery’—an idea that sent McIntosh into a fit of laughter. It’s about creating not just a home, but a heartwarming yet bizarre refuge amidst a chaotic world.
Adventures in the Dungeon
Now, if you think this is just all about decorating cute nooks, think again—the dungeons are the real entertainers! As someone who screams like a banshee during horror games, I was pleasantly surprised by how actually spooky it was. Ghostly figures resembling creepy dolls popped up when least expected, and cursed boxes launched themselves at me from nowhere. Note to self—watch for spikes next time! Thanks, Oscarsson!
But, fear not! You can rise from defeat, thanks to nifty restoration points, but there’s a catch—only one ally at a time can be brought back from the brink. If you perish, float about as a helpful little ghost, lighting the way—or you know, just cause some havoc like that notorious buddy we all have.
And speaking of chaos, there’s a selfie camera! Eyre handed it to me, and it promptly became a chaotic game of keep-away, transforming eerily in line with the creepy vibe of the game. Snapping selfies between ghostly adventures gave me the giggles and reminded me that sometimes, gaming should just be about playful fun.
Ultimately, the heart of Begraved is about pure enjoyment. When I quizzed Eyre on the reasons behind creating this new installment while juggling the pressures of Valheim 1.0, his response was simple and refreshing—”because it’s fun.” Ah, the joy of gaming as a lighthearted escape!
The Begraved demo is available now and will keep amusing players even after the Steam Next Fest wraps up. Sure, it’s still in early stages, and bugs may lurk (both the crawling ones and the metaphorical kinds), but if they pop up, I suggest setting them on fire—it’s a surefire way to stay entertained!