The arcade classics have always held a place in the hearts of gamers, including Data East’s legendary title Burger Time. A number of indie developers have tried to put their own spin on this formula over the years but GuardGrave from Monster Bath Games might be the best one yet.
GuardGrave sees you take control of grave keepers who must confront the dead who have awoken, and a number of other horrible spooks that have shown up. This is done by locking them back in their coffins the same way burgers are assembled in Burger Time, but there is a bit more to it here. You must get a hammer before you can knock the coffin lid down and you will only have the hammer for a brief time before you must get a new one.
GuardGrave also has several similarities to other arcade classics as well, such as Bubble Bobble, with the way enemies work and how you can access powerups to deal with them. The hammer is slightly reminiscent of Donkey Kong as well, and while you cannot kill enemies by hitting them, you can stun them to lock them into place. There are also a number of surprising similarities to the Nintendo game Wrecking Crew, with how you maneuver objects through the stages, and what we have as a result is a game that is a wonderful blend of different ideas yet manages to make its own identity in the process and coming up with something new. The unique boss fights and diversity in stages also help create a sense that you are seeing something special here.
GuardGave controls perfectly and I had no issues when playing the game, instead encountering perfectly responsive inputs that felt exactly right. Hitting the coffins felt satisfying, and the game had just enough challenge to keep me hooked while not being too overwhelming. That said, there are multiple difficulty settings, so if you want an easier time or an even harder time, you can enjoy it to your heart’s content.
Visually, GuardGrave is excellent and calls to mind the classic Mario Bros look and feel at times. Not super Mario Bros. but the arcade game where Luigi made his debut, albeit with modern touches. The enemies, stages and powerups all look great and it is clear a lot of care was put into making this game have an authentic feel to it, especially when applying optional screen filters and TATE mode.
GuardGrave also stands out with some amazing music that is extremely catchy. The sound effects in general feel great, whether it is you getting caught by an enemy or the sound when you hammer a coffin and really feel the weight behind doing so. it all combines for an experience that you cannot find just anywhere.
Monster Bath knew what it was doing here and did not just try and copy an old game and not much else, but instead chose to replicate the feel of classic arcade games while trying to give a unique touch and identity to its product. GuardGrave will play like you remember classic arcade games playing, but the feel is its own and has much more depth and heart to it.
Overall, GuardGrave is an excellent arcade tribute title and may be one of the best ever made. If you fancy yourself a fan of classic games or want to try a game like a classic but with a modern feel, then this is an absolute must. Monster Bath knocked it out of the park and created something special here
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
GuardGrave is available now on PC and is coming soon to Nintendo Switch
