Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse (2026)

A Metroidvania x Roguelite, where you advance using a cursed hat. Use a variety of magic or possess your enemies to reach the lowest levels! Bring back loot, build new facilities in your village, make a living and strengthen yourself for the next battle! Supports up to 4-player multiplayer.

Platform Puzzle Hack and slash/Beat 'em up Adventure Indie Action Fantasy roguelike metroidvania online co-opXbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

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Plot-driven, grave, earnest and unpretentious.

character-ledplot-driven
gravecomic
earnestironic
unpretentiousprestige
cooloverwhelming

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From the critics

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Video ChumsA.J. MaciejewskiMar 20268.4/10
Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse is one of my new favourite 2D action games thanks to its clever combination of gameplay structures, consistently rewarding sense of progression, variety of enemies and skills, and gorgeous presentation that ties it all together. 🎩
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Game Hype UKAaliyah BennettMar 202682/100
Releasing just today, Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse is new to the scene and comes with lots of witchy charm. Developed by Frontside 180 and Published by Pocketpair Inc., Never Grave is a Metroidvania x roguelite platformer set in a fantastical world where a curse has wiped out a nearby village. You, a cursed hat (yes, a hat) must utilise possession and magic to destroy your enemies and re-build the village. So, that cute anime girl in the header? Yeah, you're the hat. Despite my complete lack of skill holding me back, I was thoroughly enchanted with Never Grave and cannot wait to fully complete this game. Is Never Grave for you? Read along to find out.
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Try Hard GuidesErik HodgesMar 20268/10
Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse expertly combines Metroidvania gameplay with a roguelike loop, and presents it all with gorgeous art and beautiful music. While the game can bottleneck your runs by forcing you to return to the hub earlier than you might want to, it still features a fun progression system, solid combat, and good platforming mechanics.
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Checkpoint GamingLisa PollifroniMar 20266/10
Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse is a gorgeous-looking roguelike that presents some fun gameplay elements over different stunning backdrops and challenging platforming locations. Some of its elements, like the possession system, are fun, but the devs needed to put more time into making other gameplay elements work and flow throughout. It leaves Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse as a mixed bag, but it’s a fun experience if you don’t care too much about clunky basebuilding or rich environmental lore.
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GamesCreedMaisie ScottMar 20262.9/5
Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse is a roguelike that does well with strange notions. The sentient hat mechanism alone makes Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse stand apart from other games in the same genre. The ability to possess enemies also adds a new level of creativity to both battle and exploration.
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Snippets via OpenCritic, where 50% of critics recommend it.

About the game

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Frontside 180
Publisher: PocketPair
Released: March 5, 2026
Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Perspective: Side view
Engine: Unity

IGDB rating 8.4/10 from 1 ratings.

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