Graveyard Keeper, developed by Lazy Bear Games and published by tinyBuild, offers a unique twist on management simulation games. Players take on the role of a cemetery caretaker in a medieval fantasy world, tasked with running and expanding their own graveyard. The game combines dark humor, resource management, and exploration as players navigate the challenges of maintaining a profitable burial business.

The plot unfolds as the protagonist mysteriously finds themselves transported to this strange world, inheriting a rundown graveyard from their predecessor. As they settle into their new role, players must balance various tasks such as burying bodies, crafting items, and interacting with quirky villagers. The story progresses through quests and character interactions, revealing the secrets of the world and the protagonist’s own circumstances.

Graveyard Keeper’s narrative encourages players to make morally ambiguous choices in pursuit of success. From organizing witch-burning festivals to cutting costs on burials, the game presents opportunities for players to exploit the villagers’ superstitions and fears. This blend of dark themes and business simulation creates a compelling gameplay experience that keeps players engaged as they uncover the mysteries surrounding their character’s predicament.

Game Overview

Graveyard Keeper is a medieval cemetery management simulation game. Players take on the role of a modern-day character mysteriously transported to a medieval world, tasked with running a graveyard.

The game centers around managing and expanding the cemetery. Players must balance ethical dilemmas while trying to build a thriving business. Key activities include burying corpses, maintaining graves, and improving the graveyard’s facilities.

Beyond the cemetery, players interact with various NPCs in the nearby village. These characters provide quests, trade goods, and advance the story. The church plays an important role, with players able to hold services and festivals.

Crafting is a major gameplay element. Players gather resources to create tools, furniture, and other items needed to improve the graveyard and complete quests. A small farm allows growing crops for additional income and crafting materials.

The game features RPG elements, with players improving skills and unlocking new abilities as they progress. Time management is crucial, as players must juggle multiple tasks and relationships to succeed.

Graveyard Keeper’s unique premise blends dark humor with resource management and storytelling. Players uncover the mysteries of their situation while building a medieval business empire centered around death and burial.

Gameplay Mechanics

Graveyard Keeper features diverse gameplay mechanics centered around resource management, crafting, and technology progression. Players engage in various activities to develop their graveyard and surrounding areas.

Crafting and Resources

Crafting forms the core of Graveyard Keeper’s gameplay. Players gather resources like wood, stone, and iron to create tools and workstations. These enable the production of more complex items and materials.

The game employs a tech tree system, allowing players to unlock new crafting recipes and technologies. This progression expands gameplay options and enhances efficiency.

Resource management is crucial. Players must balance their time and energy between gathering materials, crafting items, and maintaining the graveyard. Strategic planning helps optimize resource usage and advancement.

Farming and Cooking

Farming plays a secondary role in Graveyard Keeper. Players can cultivate crops for food and crafting ingredients. The game features a variety of plants with different growth cycles and uses.

Crop management requires attention to soil quality, watering, and harvesting times. Players can improve their farming efficiency through upgrades and tools.

Cooking allows players to create meals from harvested crops and other ingredients. These dishes can restore energy, provide buffs, or serve as valuable trade goods. Players unlock new recipes as they progress, expanding their culinary options.

Fishing and Gathering

Fishing offers a relaxing alternative to other activities. Players can catch various fish species in different water bodies around the game world. Each fish type has unique characteristics and uses in cooking or crafting.

The fishing mechanic involves timing and patience. Players can upgrade their fishing equipment to improve their catch rates and access new fishing spots.

Gathering involves collecting resources from the environment. This includes foraging for plants, mushrooms, and berries. Players can also hunt small game for meat and other materials.

Efficient gathering routes and knowledge of resource locations help maximize productivity. Some rare resources require special tools or conditions to obtain, adding depth to the exploration aspect.

Character Development

Character progression in Graveyard Keeper centers around expanding skills and managing resources. Players unlock new abilities and technologies as they advance, while carefully balancing energy and health.

Skills and Technology

The Technology Tree forms the backbone of character growth. Players earn skill points by completing tasks and quests. These points unlock new perks and abilities across various skill branches. Key areas include graveyard management, alchemy, farming, and crafting.

Perks enhance the player’s capabilities in specific areas. For example, unlocking better embalming techniques improves corpse quality. Advanced farming skills increase crop yields. Crafting perks allow for creating more complex items.

The Guide provides essential information on skill progression. It outlines available perks and their requirements. Players can plan their development path by consulting the Guide regularly.

Energy and Health

Managing energy and health is crucial for efficient gameplay. Energy depletes when performing actions like digging graves or chopping wood. Players must rest or consume food to replenish it.

Health affects the character’s ability to work. Eating nutritious meals and avoiding hazards maintains good health. Certain perks and technologies improve energy efficiency and health regeneration.

Players can craft better food and potions to boost energy and health as they progress. Strategic use of these resources allows for longer work sessions and increased productivity.

Quests and Missions

Graveyard Keeper features a diverse array of quests and missions that drive the gameplay forward. Players engage with various NPCs, complete main story objectives, and tackle optional side quests throughout their journey.

NPC Interactions

The game world is populated by unique characters who offer quests and guidance. Players encounter figures like Gerry, who introduces them to basic graveyard management. The Blacksmith provides tasks related to crafting and repairing items. Krezvold, found southeast of The Dead Horse, offers quests involving metal ore acquisition.

NPCs often require specific actions or items to progress their questlines. For example, the Potter’s quest involves crafting bowls using clay and water. Players must navigate the game world to locate resources and complete these requests.

Main Story Quests

The central storyline revolves around the player’s role as the new Graveyard Keeper. Early objectives focus on restoring the graveyard to a respectable condition. Players are tasked with fixing up the cemetery, aiming for a 5-point rating initially.

As the story progresses, more complex quests emerge. These may involve unlocking new areas, improving facilities, or interacting with key characters. The main quests often intertwine with the player’s efforts to uncover the mysteries of their situation and find a way back home.

Side Quests

Numerous optional quests complement the main storyline. These range from simple fetch quests to more elaborate tasks. One early side quest involves sharpening an old sword and defeating slimes behind the smithy.

Side quests often provide valuable rewards, including resources, new crafting recipes, or improved relationships with NPCs. Some quests, like upgrading the graveyard to a 30-point rating, require significant time and resource investment.

Players can pursue these optional objectives at their own pace, balancing them with main story progression and general graveyard management duties.

Management Systems

Effective management systems are crucial for maintaining a successful graveyard operation. These systems encompass various aspects of cemetery administration and upkeep.

Graveyard Upkeep

Graveyard upkeep involves regular maintenance of grounds and graves. This includes mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and removing debris. Groundskeepers use specialized equipment to care for delicate headstones and monuments.

Seasonal tasks like leaf removal in autumn and snow clearing in winter are essential. Proper drainage systems prevent waterlogging and erosion of graves. Regular inspections identify areas needing repair or restoration.

Efficient record-keeping systems track plot locations, burial dates, and maintenance schedules. Digital mapping tools help staff locate specific graves quickly and plan future layouts.

Church and Faith

The church plays a central role in many graveyards, offering spiritual support and conducting funeral services. Clergy members work closely with cemetery staff to coordinate burials and memorial events.

Faith-based requirements for burial practices are respected and accommodated. Different religious sections may be established within the cemetery to cater to diverse beliefs.

Churches often maintain historical records of burials, which can be valuable for genealogical research. Some cemeteries offer guided tours highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of their grounds.

Morgue and Autopsy

Morgues within cemetery complexes provide temporary storage for deceased individuals. Modern refrigeration systems ensure proper preservation of bodies before burial or cremation.

Autopsy facilities may be available on-site for forensic investigations or medical research purposes. Strict hygiene protocols and specialized equipment are essential in these areas.

Efficient documentation systems track the chain of custody for bodies and personal effects. Morgue staff coordinate with funeral homes and families to arrange timely transfers and viewings.

Privacy and security measures protect sensitive information and ensure dignity for the deceased and their families. Training programs keep staff updated on latest practices in mortuary science.

Crafting Stations and Tools

Crafting stations and tools form the backbone of progression in Graveyard Keeper. Players must construct and utilize various workstations to create items, process resources, and advance through the game’s technology tree.

Advanced Crafting

The workyard serves as the primary location for building and smithing workstations. Players use the blueprint desk to construct essential crafting stations like the sawing spot, stone cutter, and furnace. These stations enable the creation of more complex items and materials.

Wooden workbenches and stone working benches are crucial for crafting tools and processing raw resources. The study table allows players to research new technologies, unlocking additional crafting options and workstations.

As players progress, they gain access to more specialized crafting stations. The alchemy workbench opens up potion-making possibilities, while the writing desk enables the creation of manuscripts and other written works.

Resource Production

Resource production stations play a vital role in Graveyard Keeper’s economy. The garden bed allows players to grow crops, providing a steady supply of food and crafting materials.

Beehives produce honey and beeswax, valuable ingredients for various recipes and items. The fish farm offers a renewable source of fish, useful for both cooking and trade.

Wood and stone stockpiles help organize and store raw materials efficiently. The compost heap turns organic waste into valuable fertilizer for crops.

Players can construct mining spots to extract valuable ores and minerals from specific locations on the map. These resources are essential for crafting advanced tools and items.

Economy and Trade

The economy in Graveyard Keeper revolves around trading goods and managing finances. Players must engage with vendors, produce items for sale, and balance income and expenses to progress.

Trading and Vendors

Vendors play a crucial role in the game’s economy. Players can buy and sell items at various locations, including the village and tavern. The Trade Office, located south of the tavern, allows players to build pallets and run marketing campaigns to boost their business. Merchants visit at sunset to collect crates from pallets, providing a steady income stream.

Different vendors specialize in specific goods. Some only buy items, while others sell or do both. Players must learn each vendor’s inventory and trading patterns to maximize profits. The game simulates daily trading, with vendors’ money fluctuating based on transactions and market conditions.

Managing Finances

Financial management is key to success in Graveyard Keeper. Players must balance income from trading, farming, and other activities against expenses for materials and upgrades. The farm serves as a primary source of income, with crops sold for profit.

Crafting items like wine and beer can be lucrative. Players should focus on high-value products to increase earnings. Building storage, like trunks or boxes in the garden, helps organize resources efficiently.

Water management is essential for farming and crafting. Players can obtain water from wells, then convert it for use in recipes. Similarly, seed oil must be processed before use in crafting.

Exploration and Discoveries

Graveyard Keeper offers a rich world filled with hidden locations, challenging dungeons, and intriguing secrets. Players uncover new areas and shortcuts as they progress, rewarding thorough exploration.

Locations and Maps

The game world contains diverse regions to explore. Players start in the cemetery and gradually unlock access to the village, swamp, and other areas. Each location has unique resources, NPCs, and quests to discover.

Key areas include:

• The Graveyard: Central hub for corpse management
• Village: Home to important NPCs and quest givers
• Witch’s Swamp: Source of rare ingredients
• Dungeon: Multi-level underground complex

Players can craft a map to aid navigation. This tool reveals unexplored areas and marks important locations.

Dungeon Crawling

The dungeon provides a challenging environment for adventurers. It consists of multiple levels with increasing difficulty. Players face hostile creatures and navigate treacherous terrain.

Dungeon features:

• Valuable loot and rare resources
• Puzzles and traps
• Boss encounters

Proper equipment and preparation are crucial for survival. Players should bring weapons, healing items, and light sources.

Secrets and Shortcuts

Graveyard Keeper hides many secrets for observant players. Hidden paths and concealed entrances lead to valuable discoveries. Some shortcuts unlock faster travel between distant areas.

Notable secrets include:

• Hidden NPC interactions
• Concealed treasure chests
• Mysterious artifacts with unique effects

Experimenting with different tools and abilities can reveal hidden passages. Players are encouraged to thoroughly explore each area and interact with the environment.

Research and Alchemy

Research and alchemy play crucial roles in advancing your capabilities as a graveyard keeper. These systems allow you to unlock new technologies, craft essential items, and create powerful potions.

Study Table and Church Workbench

The Study Table is a key research station located in the alchemy lab. It allows you to study various items to gain valuable techpoints in science and faith. Different items yield different amounts of points when studied.

To use the Study Table, simply place an item in the slot and click the study button. The process consumes the item but grants you techpoints. Common research items include books, organs, and crafted materials.

The Church Workbench complements the Study Table by allowing you to craft religious items. These items can be studied for faith points or used in church rituals.

Potions and Alchemy Recipes

Alchemy opens up a world of possibilities for crafting useful substances. The alchemy workbench is where you’ll mix ingredients to create potions and other valuable compounds.

One essential alchemy recipe is black paint, used for making flyers. To create it, you’ll need graphite and water. Combine these in the alchemy workbench to produce the ink.

Other important alchemy products include acid, used in various crafting recipes, and health potions. Experiment with different ingredient combinations to discover new recipes.

Alchemy also allows you to create advanced materials like glue and paint, which are crucial for repairing and upgrading your graveyard facilities.

Downloadable Content (DLC) and Expansions

Graveyard Keeper offers two major expansions that enhance the base game with new storylines, characters, and gameplay mechanics. These DLCs seamlessly integrate into the main game, providing additional depth and content.

Stranger Sins Expansion

Stranger Sins introduces a new tavern-building mechanic to Graveyard Keeper. Players construct and manage their own tavern, serving drinks and hosting events. This expansion delves into the world’s past, revealing secrets of the local inhabitants.

The DLC adds a substantial storyline that explores the lore of the game universe. Players uncover hidden truths about the village and its surroundings. Stranger Sins also provides new ways to earn money, making resource management easier.

New characters appear, each with their own quests and backstories. The tavern becomes a hub for gossip and information gathering. Players can customize their establishment, choosing decorations and upgrading facilities.

Game of Crone Expansion

Game of Crone focuses on a refugee camp that appears near the player’s graveyard. This expansion adds a new area to explore and manage, expanding the game world significantly.

Players must build and maintain the refugee camp, balancing resources and keeping inhabitants happy. The expansion introduces a unique faction system, where players navigate complex relationships between different groups.

Game of Crone features its own storyline, offering insights into the game’s world and history. New crafting options become available, allowing players to create items specifically for the refugee camp.

The expansion adds challenges related to resource management and diplomacy. Players must make decisions that affect the camp’s development and the refugees’ well-being.

Strategies and Tips

Efficient resource management is key in Graveyard Keeper. Focus on gathering materials like wood, stone, and iron early on to upgrade tools and structures.

Prioritize unlocking and improving technologies in the skill tree. This allows access to better equipment and more profitable activities.

Explore the surrounding areas thoroughly. Hidden quests and valuable resources can be found by venturing beyond the graveyard.

Time management is crucial. Plan activities around the game’s day-night cycle and NPC schedules to maximize productivity.

Corpse quality affects graveyard rating. Remove negative traits from bodies before burial to improve overall graveyard score.

Craft and sell items to generate income. Higher quality products fetch better prices, so invest in crafting skills.

Complete quests for NPCs to unlock new opportunities and earn rewards. Keep track of ongoing tasks in the quest log.

Utilize the autopsy table to extract valuable resources from corpses. This provides materials for crafting and research.

Develop relationships with villagers to unlock additional quests and trading options. Regular interactions improve standing with NPCs.

Experiment with different strategies for managing the graveyard and church. Find a balance between maintaining graves and expanding facilities.