Graveyard Keeper

You wake up dead in a world that feels slightly off, denied entry to heaven or hell because of a clerical error. Your new job is running a crumbling graveyard for the village of Blackwood. The task involves more than just digging holes; you must perform autopsies to determine how people died, decide if they deserve burial, and sometimes dig them back up to sell their organs or bones. This dark comedy simulation lets you build a homestead, craft potions, and farm crops alongside your necromantic duties.

Lazy Bear Games created this title as a parody of farming sims like Stardew Valley but with a macabre twist. You navigate a corrupt church hierarchy and local authorities who demand specific rituals or items, often forcing you into morally gray areas to keep your head on your shoulders. The game launched in alpha form in May 2018 before its full release later that year, eventually expanding to consoles and mobile devices. [edit]

The core loop revolves around managing the graveyard and the adjacent homestead. Players dig graves, perform autopsies using a microscope to find causes of death, and then bury bodies based on their sins or lack thereof. A unique feature allows players to rob graves for rare components needed for crafting weapons or potions. Farming mechanics let you grow pumpkins and other crops, while animal husbandry involves raising chickens and cows for resources.

Relationships with villagers drive much of the progression. Completing quests unlocks new areas and recipes, but the stamina system often creates friction. Running out of energy during digging or chopping wood can halt progress abruptly, a design choice that reviewers noted as frustratingly restrictive compared to smoother competitors in the genre. [edit]

The protagonist arrives in the afterlife only to be told he cannot enter heaven due to paperwork errors. Instead, he takes over the role of the local gravekeeper in Blackwood. The narrative unfolds through interactions with quirky townsfolk, a suspicious priest, and supernatural entities lurking in the woods. Players uncover the mystery behind their own death by solving puzzles and following clues hidden in the environment.

Bureaucracy plays a central role in the plot. The Holy Church demands tithes and specific ritualistic items, often requiring the player to cut corners or engage in unethical practices like selling body parts. The story blends satire with genuine mystery, allowing players to influence the town's development and relationships without a linear script forcing every outcome. [edit]