Gloomdelve is an action indie casual early access title on PC that puts players in the role of a lone gravekeeper defending a moonlit cemetery from relentless waves of the undead. The core experience revolves around survival against escalating hordes in a compact graveyard arena, blending simple shooting mechanics with strategic positioning and quick reactions.
Gameplay
The gameplay centers on a straightforward yet tense loop of clearing waves of enemies before the next larger one arrives. Players wield a lantern and a limited supply of twelve rounds to dispatch threats that emerge from the ground. The environment itself becomes an obstacle, as headstones, crypts, pines, and an old obelisk block shots and force players to maneuver around them while the undead weave through the yard to close in.
Four distinct undead types create variety in each wave. Shambling zombies advance steadily, quick and brittle skeletons dart forward, tough vampires plant themselves before flashing red and lunging, and ghosts drift through obstacles without regard for cover. Audio cues help track threats, with groans and creaking coffins signaling positions in third-person view, while screen-edge flashes and directional arrows alert players to incoming attacks from any side.
Power-ups scattered across the yard provide temporary advantages. A chalice restores health, an amber lantern enables rapid fire, and a cyan lantern delivers a three-way spread shot. Clearing a wave without taking damage doubles the bonus score, encouraging careful play amid the growing chaos of larger hordes and sudden enemy surges.
Game Modes
The primary mode is endless wave survival, where players face progressively tougher waves in the single graveyard setting. Every cleared wave leads directly into a bigger challenge, with the goal of lasting as long as possible while racking up points from kills and wave bonuses. Best scores and highest waves reached are tracked for personal chasing of records.
View options add flexibility within the same mode. An over-the-shoulder third-person perspective allows mouse-driven aiming and turning, while a classic top-down view reveals the entire yard layout at once. Players can switch between these perspectives at any time through the settings menu.
Online co-op supports two to four players, letting friends join the defense of the graveyard together. The shared experience keeps the same wave structure and enemy types but introduces teamwork elements in positioning and covering different angles against the undead advance.
Early Access Development
Gloomdelve enters Early Access with a fully playable core loop that includes the wave system, enemy variety, power-ups, dual views, and co-op functionality. The current version features one graveyard, a single starting weapon, and the four undead types, with regular updates planned to expand content based on player input. Developers intend to add elements such as additional weapons, more enemy varieties, and refined co-op features over the coming months.
The title emphasizes accessibility for casual sessions alongside action-oriented play. Gamepad support is included, and the compact arena design keeps focus on immediate survival rather than complex progression systems at this stage.
Is It Worth Playing?
Players who enjoy straightforward wave-based survival shooters with quick sessions and score-chasing will find a solid foundation here. The dual view options and distinct enemy behaviors provide enough variety to keep runs engaging, while co-op opens the experience to group play without complicating the core loop.
As an Early Access release, the game remains in active development with the current state offering a complete basic experience of wave survival. Those interested in providing feedback on balance, difficulty spikes, and potential additions like new weapons or rulesets may appreciate contributing during this phase. The absence of user reviews at launch means individual preference for the genre serves as the best guide for trying the title.