The graveyard simulation game that broke the mold of cozy, healing-focused life sims is back. This time, it’s bringing a zombie army and an automation system along with it.

Lazy Bear Games unveiled 'Graveyard Keeper 2' on the 9th during the Triple-i Initiative indie game showcase. Developed once again in partnership with TinyBuild, the team behind the original, this sequel promises to be much bolder and feature a wider variety of systems.

The core of the game lies in its combat and automation systems. The original title used life simulation as its foundation, layering graveyard management on top. While it was praised for its lighthearted take on the dark subject of corpses and graves, it was still set in a somewhat realistic town. This time, however, the scope has expanded beyond just managing a graveyard to an entire town overrun by zombies.

With the kingdom falling into a zombie crisis, the game's playstyle has been significantly bolstered. While retaining the resource gathering and production elements of the first game, it now emphasizes the automation systems that have become a staple in modern crafting games. Captured zombies will work forever, running conveyor belts and handling cottage industry tasks automatically as long as they are placed in the right spots.

The tools and weapons produced this way serve as defenses against the zombies attacking the town. Combat has been brought to the forefront, with players joining soldiers to take up arms and fight off the undead. The game also includes elements of rebuilding the ruined kingdom towns.

Alongside the announcement of the sequel, the developers are offering the original Graveyard Keeper for free until 2:00 AM KST on the 14th.

The game is scheduled for release in 2026 and will be available on multiple platforms, including PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.