Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse
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About Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse
Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse is a Metroidvania-roguelite hybrid from Frontside 180, published by PocketPair. Released March 5, 2026, it combines procedural dungeon crawling with a permanent progression system tied to a cursed hat. You play as a witch using magic, enemy possession, or stolen loot to build a village between runs. The game supports single-player and 4-player co-op, with each session involving exploration, combat, and resource gathering. It’s available on PS4, PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Switch. The mix of permadeath challenges and base-building mechanics creates a loop of preparation, failure, and incremental upgrades. It’s not a straight action game but leans into strategy and risk-reward cycles.
Gameplay
Each run starts with navigating a randomly generated dungeon, using the cursed hat to unlock new abilities by collecting relics. Combat blends quick melee strikes with elemental spells or taking over enemies to turn them into temporary allies. You battle waves of foes, loot weapons, and escape with items to expand your village. The base-building aspect lets you craft tools, hire workers, and upgrade defenses for future runs. Controls are tight, with responsive movement and a satisfying punch to the attacks. Multiplayer adds coordination challenges, like splitting loot or defending the village from raids. Sessions often last 30, 60 minutes, balancing exploration, combat, and planning. The procedural layout keeps things fresh, but backtracking to access new areas via upgraded hat abilities is a core Metroidvania staple.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate it 4.3/5, with 78% completing the base village and 65% hitting 100% hat upgrades. Average playtime is 24 hours, but 30% log over 40 hours due to co-op or base optimization. Community moods are 62% “Addictive,” 23% “Frustrating,” and 15% “Satisfying.” Review snippets praise the “clever fusion of roguelite and Metroidvania” but criticize the “repetitive loot drops.” Critics give it 81/100, calling it “ambitious but uneven.” Achievement data shows 58% unlock the “Possession Master” medal for taking over 50 enemies, and 42% finish the co-op raid mode. The game’s 67 achievements focus on progression milestones, with a 20-hour threshold for 100% completion.
PlayPile's Take
It’s a strong pick for Metroidvania fans who enjoy permadeath loops and co-op. At $29.99, the 20, 30 hour gameplay window feels fair, though base-building may test patience. The hat upgrade system and possession mechanic are highlights, but loot farming can drag. If you’re into strategy and incremental progress over pure action, this fits. The 4-player mode adds longevity, but solo runs might feel grind-heavy. With 67 achievements and a solid co-op meta, it’s worth a playthrough if you’re patient with its pacing quirks.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
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