Do You Need to Play Graveyard Keeper 1 Before 2?
Graveyard Keeper 2 continues the series with returning ideas, familiar characters, and story connections that naturally make the first game seem important. However, how much of Graveyard Keeper 1 you actually need to know before starting the sequel is much less restrictive than you might expect.
Jump To Section:
Do You Need to Play Graveyard Keeper 1 Before 2?
What You Miss by Skipping the First Game
How Graveyard Keeper 2 Handles the Story
Do You Need to Play the Graveyard Keeper DLC?
Which Graveyard Keeper Should You Play First?
No, You Don't Need to Play Graveyard Keeper 1 Before 2
You can start with Graveyard Keeper 2 without playing or finishing the original game first. The sequel is designed so that new players can understand its story and progression without already knowing everything that happened in Graveyard Keeper 1.
Playing the first game does give you more context. You'll recognize returning characters, understand certain references immediately, and have more background on the world. None of that is necessary to follow the main story in Graveyard Keeper 2, though.
Quick Answer
• You do not need to play Graveyard Keeper 1 first
• You do not need to finish the original game
• You do not need to complete the DLC
• Playing GK1 does give you extra story and character context
I would treat Graveyard Keeper 1 as bonus context rather than required homework. If you're mainly interested in the sequel, there isn't much reason to force yourself through the first game solely because you're worried GK2 won't make sense.
You'll Mostly Miss References, Lore, and Familiar Faces
Skipping Graveyard Keeper 1 doesn't leave a giant hole in the sequel's story. What you mainly lose are the smaller moments where returning players immediately recognize a character, idea, or reference from the original.
Someone who played GK1 may see a familiar face and already understand the history behind them. A completely new player might simply meet that same person as part of Graveyard Keeper 2's story and learn what they need to know from there.
That's the important distinction. You're missing some familiarity, not the information required to keep playing.
For me, this is the strongest reason to play the original first. Graveyard Keeper has a weird enough world and cast that recognizing old elements makes the sequel more satisfying. I still wouldn't consider that worth delaying GK2 if the sequel is the game you're actually excited to play.
Graveyard Keeper 2 Explains What New Players Need to Know
Graveyard Keeper 2 was built with new players in mind rather than assuming everyone already completed the first game.
Important story information is introduced when it becomes relevant. The sequel can reference earlier events without requiring you to already know every detail behind them.
There is still an advantage to having played the original. A returning player may understand the significance of something before the game explains it, while a new player needs that extra bit of context.
Both players can still follow what is happening.
That's why I wouldn't recommend watching hours of story recaps or trying to memorize the first game's plot before starting GK2 either. If you want the complete history, playing GK1 is obviously the better experience, but it isn't a prerequisite.
You Don't Need to Finish Graveyard Keeper 1's DLC Either
The same applies to Graveyard Keeper 1's DLC. You do not need to complete every expansion before moving into Graveyard Keeper 2.
The additional content expands characters and lore from the original game, so someone who has played everything may notice connections that another player misses.
That extra knowledge can make certain references more interesting, but it doesn't suddenly turn the DLC into required preparation for the sequel.
If you've already finished Graveyard Keeper 1 but skipped some or all of its DLC, I wouldn't hold off on GK2 just to clear everything first.
The exception is if you're specifically playing for the story and want to experience as much of the series chronologically as possible. In that case, finishing the original game's story content before moving on naturally gives you the fullest context.
Play Graveyard Keeper 1 First for the Full Experience, Not Because You Have To
If you're interested in both games, starting with Graveyard Keeper 1 is still the most natural order. You'll meet the world and characters as originally intended, then carry that knowledge into the sequel.
But that's different from saying you need to do it.
Play Graveyard Keeper 1 First If:
• You want to experience the story in order
• You care about catching returning characters and references
• You already planned to play both games
• You enjoy learning the surrounding lore
Start With Graveyard Keeper 2 If:
• You're mainly interested in the sequel
• You don't care about catching every callback
• You previously bounced off the first game
• You don't want to finish another lengthy game beforehand
This is especially worth considering if Graveyard Keeper 1 never clicked with you. The original can feel fairly dense when all of its crafting, technology, quests, and interconnected systems start piling up, and there's little value in forcing yourself through it just to reach the game you actually wanted to play.
If you already like Graveyard Keeper, I'd still play the first game before 2 because the extra familiarity makes the sequel richer. If you just want to play Graveyard Keeper 2, though, start there. The sequel gives you what you need to understand its story without making the original a mandatory prerequisite.
