Steam’s most played games are usually new releases or well-established titles. However, older games sometimes see a sudden surge in popularity. This often happens when a new update adds fresh content, but it can also be triggered by announcing a sequel and then temporarily making the original game free. That’s exactly what Lazy Bear Games and tinyBuild did with Graveyard Keeper, and it seems to be working well for them.
Graveyard Keeper is a unique game where you manage a medieval cemetery, blending life simulation with RPG elements. Originally released in 2018, the game’s creators jokingly called it “the most inaccurate medieval cemetery sim of the year.” Despite receiving mixed reviews (a 69 on Metacritic), it became a popular favorite, earning a ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam. This week, the developers announced a sequel, Graveyard Keeper 2, and made the original game available for free on several platforms, giving new players a chance to experience it – and you might just enjoy it too.
Graveyard Keeper Digs Up New Fanbase By Offering Free Copies for a Limited Time
Graveyard Keeper was one of the first games to combine the relaxing gameplay of games like Stardew Valley with a darker, more unusual theme. Players build and manage a cemetery, collect materials, and craft items, but also face difficult decisions about how to run it. The game is known for its blend of peaceful life-sim elements and morbid humor, which has gained it a dedicated fanbase. Now, with the sequel on the way, even more people are discovering it because the original game is currently available for free on many platforms.
With the recent announcement of Graveyard Keeper 2, the original Graveyard Keeper game is currently available to download for free on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. Unfortunately, Nintendo Switch owners will still need to pay $19.99 to purchase it on the eShop. This free promotion is a smart marketing tactic for the sequel. As player numbers on Steam demonstrate, people are more likely to try out a game like this when it’s free, which could lead to a larger and more enthusiastic fanbase for Graveyard Keeper 2 when it’s released.
When Graveyard Keeper launched in 2018, it had almost 17,000 players on Steam at its peak. Recently, with the announcement of a sequel and a free download offer, the game’s popularity has surged. As of a few minutes ago, it reached a new record of over 31,216 players on Steam! Considering it’s also currently available for free on PlayStation 5 and Xbox, even more people are playing, and the overwhelmingly positive reviews suggest they’re really enjoying it.
If you enjoy pixel art RPGs with a lot of crafting, you should definitely get Graveyard Keeper while it’s being given away for free. As long as you claim the offer before it ends, the game is yours to keep permanently. Even if you don’t have time to play it right away, it will still be in your game library whenever you’re ready, as the offer expires on April 13th.
Have you played Graveyard Keeper, or are you thinking about trying it now that it’s free? Share your thoughts in the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-04-11 16:44