Farming sims are one of the most iconic cozy games on the market, meaning that there's always a half-dozen (at least) on the horizon. The genre goes back further than Stardew Valley, of course, but its influence on the genre cannot be overstated. On the one hand, this can create genre fatigue, but on the other hand, it means the best in the genre stand out because of a unique gameplay mechanic, feature, or narrative element. Because of the latter, Grave Seasons is one of the most anticipated cozy games/farming sims on the market.
Players do not inherit a farm from their grandpa—they escape from jail and make a new home in the idyllic town of Ashenridge. And as they go about all the conventional features of the farming simulator genre, from growing crops, fishing, crafting, and mining, players will discover that there is a serial killer in Ashenridge. Grave Seasons describes itself as a "narrative-led farming sim," where someone in town is a supernatural serial killer.
As players go about their harvest, they'll also play a role in uncovering this serial killer. Players will search for clues, investigate the various townfolk, and even break into their homes. They'll also craft wards to protect the towns and their loved ones, while identifying the next victim and saving them from whatever this serial killer is. Completing quests and building up the trust of Grave Seasons' various townfolk is key, but there's another twist to this.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
How the Serial Killer Works in Grave Seasons
Like any good farming sim, players will be able to romance characters in Grave Seasons. This is noteworthy because the serial killer is randomly generated with every playthrough—they are never the same. In other words, through a stroke of luck (or otherwise), players could find themselves romancing the serial killer. It remains to be seen how it all ties together, but Grave Seasons has revealed quite a handful of characters. This means, to some degree, players may already be thinking about who to smooch (when/if possible)...and have a serial killer right in front of them.
Some NPCs have more details confirmed about them than others.
Althea
Althea is the doctor of Ashenridge. Not only does this likely mean she values intelligence (or the in-game equivalent representation) of that, but a doctor is a pretty good cover for being a serial killer.
- PRONOUNS: She/Her
- OCCUPATION: Doctor
Aria
Aria is an Ashenridge native, building a life over several, several years. That said, like any true musician, Aria struggles with a sense of aimlessness and uncertainty in their life—a common trope for big creatives living in small towns. They perform at a local bar, likely where players will meet them in Grave Seasons, and has no idea how to bake. Fun fact.
- PRONOUNS: They/Them
- OCCUPATION: Singer and Guitarist in a Band
Brent
If a musician trapped in a small town is a common trope, so too is Brent. An "ex-digital investor," Brent believes himself to be an innovator. Such claims likely go ignored by the town, as is often the case in "I am sooo successful, so you're lucky I grace this place" trope. What does he do with all his free time? Killing is one option.
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: "Innovator"
Elias
Every good small town needs someone baking pastries, and that's Elias's role in Ashenridge. Elias is an older retiree who once worked a high-stress restaurant management job. Maybe that stress is back...
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: Baker
Fitch
Another retiree, Fitch turned to civil service and is the mayor of Ashenridge. Players will often encounter him by the docks, in his office, or greeting new residents. However, he is not a popular mayor. Some folks in Grave Seasons' town are not happy about his leadership. That makes him a target...or perhaps enraged.
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: Mayor
Gregory
They say a bartender sees all and hears all, but in the case of Grave Seasons, that's Gregory who owns and operates the diner. He's an introvert. He's quiet. He's a prime suspect. Gregory respects hard work, has sharp culinary skills, and has beef with the local bar owner, Lukas. Gregory puts on a welcoming face, but as players come to learn about him, there are some skeletons in his closet.
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: Diner Owner
Hari
If Gregory is the quiet, untrustworthy shop owner, Hari is the bubbly, happy, smiling idiot that you'd never expect until he puts a knife in your chest. Hari is a social butterfly, often seen among all the circles in Ashenridge, but his eagerness can sometimes lead to recklessness. Maybe the serial killing was just an accident. All that said, Hari does not get along with Yuto, with this potentially being a clue to who the serial killer in Grave Seasons is.
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: Farmhand
Ishan
All that's currently known about Ishan is that he teaches the youth of Ashenridge. Mysterious. Very mysterious indeed.
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: Schoolteacher
Jessie
If the serial killer turns out to be a werewolf in Grave Seasons, a popular fan theory, then perhaps Jessie is the best person to have on your side as an animal handler. Or it makes a very good cover. Jessie is a disgruntled employee, after all, and is not exactly passionate about their job. They work, feed animals, deal with customers, and wish they were anywhere but there. Jessie has big dreams of leaving town, hopes to go on adventures (some more fantastical than realistic), and spends way too much time at the local diner.
- PRONOUNS: They/Them
- OCCUPATION: Animal Handler
Kaarina
Kaarina is a waitress at the diner that Jessie frequents, saving her earnings there for her education. She is perhaps best described as "off-putting" at first, someone who doesn't really open up until they know the other person well. Kaarina was once a local rockstar, at least as far as bands in Ashenridge are concerned, but following that break-up, she has turned to renting movies and hunting down vinyls. Kaarina is a cinephile through and through.
- PRONOUNS: She/Her
- OCCUPATION: Waitress
Leilani
Described as "kind, sweet, affectionate, and known for her love of thriller books and TV dramas," Leilani's mental world of thrills is mellowed out by her day job as a florist. Ashenridge-born and raised, Leilani is a rock in the community, so much so that everyone knows she holds a deep grudge but would never bring it up.
- PRONOUNS: She/Her
- OCCUPATION: Florist
Lukas
Every small town has a few seedy residents, and Ashenridge is no exception. Lukas, who owns the local bar, was a "wayward tourist" before he settled down in Ashenridge. He used to party a lot, but he has largely left that in the past, like many other things and people. Lukas constantly jokes and jabs, but these are only covers for a deep sadness.
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: Local Bar Owner
Maggie
Maggie used to be best friends with Althea, but when Maggie left for an adventure-filled life, the two grew apart. Maggie returns to Ashenridge after some years away, working with Althea at her clinic, and is best described as grouchy.
- PRONOUNS: She/Her
- OCCUPATION: Doctor's Assistant
Naya
Naya assists Mayor Fitch with his duties.
- PRONOUNS: She/Her
- OCCUPATION: Mayor's Assistant
Noa
Intimidating because of his nature, size, and past, Noa is suspicious. But also Noa just wants to rush The Big Fish, a store by the docks where he sells fish and tackle. Deep down, some believe Noa is a kind soul who craves connection.
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: Fisherman
Pilar
Pilar, beyond being a tailor, is an outgoing person who loves to meet new people. She's a creative, loves spending time in the woods, is easy to get along with, and is described as "mischievous." However, she appears to be hiding something. She's aloof and all of her connections are only surface-level. At least until the Grave Seasons protagonist shows up.
- PRONOUNS: She/Her
- OCCUPATION: Tailor
Rose
Rose is a librarian. That's all that's really confirmed, but based on her ghostly appearance and choice of work, it may be that Rose is a quiet one as well. Never trust the quiet ones.
- PRONOUNS: She/Her
- OCCUPATION: Librarian
Sameera
A butcher, which is immediately suspicious in a cozy horror game, Sameera is described as successful and down to earth. So much so, in fact, that she has little time for others (except when killing them) and herself. May the Grave Seasons protagonist open her eyes to a wider world of possibility.
- PRONOUNS: She/Her
- OCCUPATION: Butcher
Tomás
Tomás is a priest who does not look like a priest, who also spends basically every night at the local bar. He has been described as "unable to find his place" in Ashenridge despite his polite deposition. Religious trauma often makes for great serial killers and intense romances.
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: Priest
Yuto
Dodgy, disgruntled, and secretive, Yuto keeps what happens in the S-Mart in the S-Mart. He's not shy and carries with him a dry humor, which is the only way to survive as a retail worker in small towns.
- PRONOUNS: He/Him
- OCCUPATION: S-Mart Store Manager
- Developer(s)
- Perfect Garbage
- Publisher(s)
- Blumhouse Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
