The way that indie developers are embracing the Metroidvania approach is really something. Drinkbox Studios somehow integrated a Luchador theme into the whimsical (and entertaining) Guacamelee! games; Hollow Knight and Dead Cells work on their own twisted (and awesome) levels; and there are countless others to consider as well, with the genre having grown leaps and bounds since the Symphony of the Night days.
Now we have Grime, a game that incorporates Metroidvania with a Soulslike challenge to create something truly filthy. And we mean that in a good way. It’s bound to be tough for a majority of players out there, though that’s obviously the way some of you like it.
Rookies need not apply, and we did see some slight technical setbacks playing it on Xbox. That said, if you’re a fan of the genre, you should definitely give this a go. Even if that means getting your hands, er, dirty.
Let’s Dig In
The story is an interesting one. Instead of simply pounding you with narrative, Grime elects to let you learn as you go along.
You play an interesting character that doesn’t really have much personality to spare. They’re merely made up of rock and some kind of enclosed space amidst their head. But they set out into the world anyway, encountering dangers and learning a little more about themselves along the way.
Those of you interested in lore of some kind may be frustrated. But the approach to Grime is tremendous, if only because it lets you focus on the action and develop into something of a mystical warrior. And it does so with a level of toughness that will eat you alive if you’re not careful. These Souls-like games clearly aren’t kidding around.
That’s no fault of the gameplay though. The developers at Clover Bite truly loaded this game with lots of neat tricks and techniques to keep your odd character in one piece (if you can, that is). The exploratory theme is handled very well, and the abilities you grasp really come in handy. In short, the game truly evolves, even if your character is still just a pile of greasy grimy gopher guts.
The best thing I can recommend is to start on an easy difficulty. That sounds like a quick way out of the game, but its toughness level is best endured before you continue onward. Once you’re ready, then you can make the jump forward and see the impressive scale in which Grime builds. And if you need any further proof of that, just see how far the save points are spaced apart. C’mon, guys, make them a little closer.
Unless you’re an inexperienced player that gets frustrated easily, Grime may just be your speed. Especially if you’ve grown attached to Metroidvania over the years.
For a Messy Game, Grime Looks Good
Clover Bite has loaded Grime with some impressive visuals. Even if the world you inhabit is bleak (and, as a reminder, so is your character in a way), it’s really amazing how much detail is pumped into it. Not to mention the bosses look great and the way you discover new areas is very cool.
However, there are noticeable performance problems in the game’s transition to consoles. It still runs nicely for the most part, but there are times that the frame rate stumbles a little bit. Even on an Xbox Series X. I’m sure it’ll be patched at some point, but it might throw you off in spots, especially during tougher boss battles.
Making up for this is the game’s audio. Along with gushy sound effects that fit the atmosphere of what’s presented here, the music is nothing short of remarkable. The tunes play along with the bleak outlook of the game, while presenting compelling in their own right. It might just grow on you. Like grime itself? (I’m kidding, please take a bath.)
If Akupara Games could just fix some of the game’s performance issues, Grime could truly be in the pantheon of greatness. As it stands, however, it’s still a must play.
Ridin’ Dirty
If you can stomach the challenge it presents and accept some technical shortcomings, Grime is really something. It presents something that looks like the other end of a garbage disposal and creates a compelling experience that’s worth exploring. Not to mention the music is on its own level and the gameplay has a lot to offer.
Just be prepared. When you dive into this dirty world, you just might get something on you. Depending on your tastes, that could be a good thing.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Akupara Games for the review code!
