Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse (v1.4c)

A ruined settlement and a living curse frame this hand-drawn 2D adventure, where every descent into the unknown asks players to adapt rather than follow a fixed route. Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse combines the interconnected movement and secret-hunting appeal of a Metroidvania with the changing layouts and repeat-driven structure of a roguelite. Ancient ruins, overgrown gardens, and dangerous interiors shift between runs, giving the game an eerie fairy-tale atmosphere that feels closer to a dark picture book than a conventional fantasy quest.

Combat revolves around deliberate observation: enemies telegraph attacks, magic must be spent intelligently, and terrain can become as useful as any spell. The standout tool is the witch’s cursed hat, which lets her possess certain foes and turn their bodies, attacks, and traversal skills against the dungeon itself. Relics and permanent unlocks expand mobility, including abilities such as an extra jump, while item and magic traits encourage players to build around unusual synergies instead of relying on one dependable weapon. Failed expeditions still feed progression, since gathered materials return to the village and support new facilities, crops, recipes, and upgrades through broader skill-tree development.

Its strongest idea is that possession is more than a combat gimmick; taking over the right creature can change how a room is fought, crossed, or approached altogether. Thick painted scenery and traditional Japanese-inspired animation give the action a distinctive tactile quality, with characters moving like carefully assembled cut-out art against richly layered backgrounds. Up to four players can tackle dungeons together, adding cooperative combinations to an already flexible combat system, though the tactical readability should also suit solo players. Fans of Dead Cells’ repeatable runs, Hollow Knight’s exploration, and village-building progression will find plenty to like, while newcomers get a more approachable entry point if they enjoy learning enemy patterns and experimenting with builds.