Combining genres is common in modern game design, but doing so successfully remains a challenging balancing act. Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse aims to achieve this by blending the interconnected exploration of a Metroidvania with the procedural unpredictability of a roguelite.
Developed by Frontside 180 and published by Pocketpair — the studio behind the breakout hit Palworld — the game is released as a fully realised 1.0 version rather than the initially planned Early Access. Launching simultaneously on multiple platforms on 5 March 2026, it also introduces a rare feature for the genre: four-player online co-op.
At the heart of this dark fantasy adventure is a uniquely strange concept. You play not just as a witch, but as a witch empowered by a cursed hat that can possess enemies. This mechanic transforms combat encounters into chances for transformation, puzzle-solving, and creative exploration.
While the premise may seem unusual, it forms the backbone of a surprisingly rich action-platformer that encourages experimentation and mastery.
A Cursed Journey Begins
The story unfolds within a fallen kingdom haunted by ancient curses. As the witch protagonist ventures into the depths of corrupted dungeons, the mysterious hat she carries grants her the power to possess defeated enemies.
This unusual mechanic allows players to momentarily inhabit enemy bodies, gaining access to their abilities and movement styles. A slow-moving brute might smash through barriers, while a nimble creature could reach platforms otherwise out of reach.
The result is a constantly shifting playstyle. Instead of relying solely on your base character’s abilities, you frequently adapt to the strengths of whichever enemy you’ve possessed.
This system does more than enhance combat — it becomes an essential part of the game’s puzzle design and exploration.
Combat and Movement
At its core, Never Grave offers fast-paced action-platformer combat.
The witch’s arsenal features magical attacks, evasive dodges, and special abilities that enable players to string together fluid combat sequences. Enemies are aggressive yet fair, requiring players to carefully read attack patterns and respond with precise movement.
The controls are smooth and responsive, which is vital in a game that highlights mobility and quick reactions. Traversal mechanics such as double-jumps, air-dashes, and wall runs gradually increase your mobility as you progress.
Possession introduces an additional layer of strategy. Sometimes it’s more effective to defeat enemies normally, while at other times possessing them provides a significant tactical advantage.
Learning when to switch between forms becomes a key skill as the game becomes more challenging.
Roguelite Exploration
Unlike traditional Metroidvania titles with fixed maps, Never Grave features procedurally generated dungeon layouts.
Each attempt to explore the cursed ruins offers new pathways, enemy placements, and environmental puzzles. This system keeps exploration unpredictable, making sure that repeated tries rarely feel the same.
However, the game maintains classic Metroidvania progression through permanent upgrades. Artefacts found during runs grant abilities that open up previously inaccessible areas.
These include familiar upgrades like double-jumps or traversal enhancements, which enable players to revisit earlier regions and uncover hidden secrets.
The mix of procedural dungeons with lasting upgrades creates a rewarding balance between replayability and long-term progress.
Village Restoration
Between dungeon runs, players return to a ruined village that serves as the game’s hub area.
Using materials collected during exploration, the village can gradually be restored. Clearing rubble reveals new spaces for buildings, farms, and crafting facilities.
This village-building system adds a welcome layer of progression outside combat. Constructing facilities unlocks new gear, consumables, and permanent buffs that make future runs more manageable.
Farming crops and crafting potions also provide useful tools before venturing back into the dangerous depths.
The village slowly transforms from a crumbling settlement into a thriving refuge, reinforcing the sense that each expedition contributes to a larger goal.
Boss Encounters
Boss battles are among the most memorable moments in Never Grave.
These encounters feature enormous, screen-dominating creatures with complex attack patterns that demand careful observation and precise timing. Unlike regular enemies, bosses cannot simply be overwhelmed with brute force.
Instead, players must learn their patterns while making clever use of movement abilities and possessions.
Some bosses introduce environmental mechanics that force players to adapt their approach mid-battle. Others test endurance, requiring near-perfect dodging to survive prolonged attack phases.
Victory feels greatly rewarding, especially when playing cooperatively with friends.
Multiplayer Mayhem
One of the most distinctive features of Never Grave is its support for four-player online co-op.
While Metroidvania games usually focus on solo exploration, this title encourages players to confront its dungeons together.
In multiplayer sessions, each player brings their own abilities and tactics into combat. Coordinating attacks, sharing resources, and reviving fallen allies create a lively and often chaotic experience.
Boss fights become particularly thrilling with multiple players, as teamwork enables creative strategies and coordinated assaults.
Despite the increased number of players on screen, the game maintains excellent clarity, ensuring combat remains clear even during hectic moments.
Art Style and Atmosphere
Visually, Never Grave distinguishes itself with its hand-drawn 2D animation.
Characters move with fluid, expressive motions that reflect the influence of traditional Japanese animation techniques. The witch herself feels lively and responsive, with attack animations that flow naturally into movement.
Backgrounds are richly painted, resembling illustrated storybook landscapes layered with depth and texture.
The aesthetic often draws comparisons to titles like Hollow Knight, though Never Grave retains its own identity through brighter colours and more playful visual elements.
Even within its gothic setting, the game never feels excessively bleak.
Performance Across Platforms
On modern platforms, the game runs smoothly with stable performance during both solo and multiplayer sessions.
Load times stay short, and the vibrant art style scales well across consoles and PC hardware.
The responsive controls translate effectively to controllers, ensuring that movement and combat feel natural regardless of platform.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unique possession mechanic adds depth to combat and puzzles
- Beautiful hand-drawn animation and atmospheric environments
- Strong mix of Metroidvania exploration and roguelite replayability
- Engaging village-building progression system
- Four-player online co-op adds exciting multiplayer possibilities
Cons
- Procedural dungeons can occasionally feel repetitive
- Some boss encounters spike sharply in difficulty
- Multiplayer coordination can become chaotic during intense fights
- Narrative elements remain relatively light compared to gameplay systems
Final Verdict
Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse effectively combines several popular genres into a cohesive and engaging adventure.
The possession mechanic offers a fresh twist on traditional platforming gameplay, encouraging players to experiment with enemy abilities in inventive ways. Paired with smooth combat, atmospheric visuals, and a rewarding village progression system, the game provides a satisfying gameplay loop that keeps players returning for more.
Although the procedural dungeon design can sometimes result in familiar layouts, the strong core mechanics ensure the experience remains consistently entertaining.
With its full 1.0 release and ambitious multiplayer features, Never Grave stands out as one of the more inventive action-platformers to emerge in recent years.
