Introduction
We are going into a black hole that is called Grime! This is a Metroidvania that utilizes a rare new game mechanic where you have a black hole as a head, your head can be used to absorb enemies and gain their skills! However, the story is very odd, and I literally have no clue what actually happened, I will write what I can about the story!
What did I think before playing Grime?
I had no idea what to expect from Grime when I started playing this game, but I always enjoy a Metroidvania game! This is a game that I have had my eye on for a while, that is also why this game was a contestant in the poll of January. With a black hole as a head, you will need to fight your way through a bleak, seemingly, dying world where everyone wants to kill you! For more information, I went to the Steam Page!
The Steam page
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1123050/GRIME/
After visiting the Steam Page, I also learned that this game is a souls-like, as you absorb enemies you will get their mass, which is used as the currency to level up your black hole! I was also very interested in what kinds of bosses I would be facing and how difficult they would be! This game seems like a blast before playing!
Rating
I rate Grime with an 8.3 before playing!
This seems like a very fun Metroidvania with Souls-like elements!
Story
The story of Grime starts with two giants making out before they violently explode! Apparently an evil black hole spawned, but it gets destroyed before it can wreak more havoc, or so it seems! You wake up as the black hole and assemble a body from the surrounding stones. It is your goal to eat everything with your black hole!
Rating
I rate the story of Grime with a 5.0
What in the actual heck is going on? I have literally no clue!
Gameplay
It is your goal to explore the areas that Grime presents you, but a lot of the areas can only be accessed after gaining certain abilities like double jump, however some of these abilities are gained very late in the game, despite that, there is one area that seems unreachable even if you have all the skills in the game!
As you absorb enemies, you can level up and create your own personalized black hole! There are three major attributes for weapons, along with the ability to gain more force and health! If you mess up, you can re-spec if you find enough moldy pearls! If you want to learn new skills, you will need to learn to parry, otherwise you will not get new skills!
Skills can be gained by absorbing enemies enough times! Certain enemies will give you hunting points that can be used to learn said skills! These can make you fairly strong, but you still need finger fast reflexes to beat those pesky bosses! You will need to learn the tells before they attack and look for openings, greedy attacks will get you killed! If you manage to absorb pieces of a boss, you will get back some of your health!
Rating
I rate the gameplay of Grime with a 8.2
While the story is very convoluted, the gameplay is amazing! As you progress your way through this strange world and absorb everything! There are some minor caveats like missable items, no new game+ yet, getting certain skills late in the game, but the weapon variety and character build variation makes up for most of those problems!
Sound and Graphics
Graphics
The graphics of Grime are good, but gloomy and creepy at some points! Expect a few jump scares, I liked the diversity in biomes that you are presented with. There are special enemies that can be absorbed for skill points, mopping up the final map pieces was though and there seems to be a secret that is not yet accessible! However, we still need to finish up a few more areas!
Sound
If you though the graphics were dark and gloomy, the soundtracks are in perfect synergy with epic music when fighting bosses, if you can survive that long!
Rating
I rate the sound and graphics with a 7.9
While I think there could be some improvement, the major part of the game has a mix of great variety of music and enemies!
What did I think after playing Grime?
While I did not understand a single bit of the story and I will not spoil the weird ending, the gameplay was very fun and innovating. You will need to use your parry ability effectively to absorb enemies and pieces of bosses! However, some attacks can not be parried, it is your goal to learn the patterns of enemies to survive since a few hits will destroy you! If you want a more tanky character, you will need to invest in your health attribute!
Next to weapons, you will find certain armor, which you will need three pieces of for a full set! These will give you bonuses to certain attributes! You can also cosplay and equip your favorite armor with the benefits of your best armor! I recommend getting the golden armor first to increase the mass you gain for quick level ups!
Rating
I rate Grime with an 8.5 after playing.
While the story is not that great, you are playing this game for the gameplay!
What are my personal thoughts about Grime?
My major personal gripe with this game was how late you unlocked fast travel in the game. There is second fast travel in the game, which made it even more confusing. The useful fast travel is unlocked after the final boss, which is only accessible in the secret ending of the game.
Rating
My personal Rating of Grime is an 8.2
I had a lot of fun with this game!
Last Words
Pros
- Absorb your enemies and gain their skills!
- Find remnants of enemies and use them as weapons or armor!
- Visit many different biomes as you absorb everything!
- Gain mass to level up and build your character!
- Find new skills to access new areas!
- Upgrade your weapons to become more powerful!
- Find secrets, including secret bosses!
Cons
- Confusing story that boggles your mind!
- Certain skills are unlocked very late in the game.
If you are looking for a challenging Metroidvania game, this is a perfect match for you!
Final Rating
7.6
Let me know what you think of Grime in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to see you in the next review!
If you liked reading this review, maybe you would like to share this review with your friends!
long shade
Good review! This is one interesting metroidvania game!
Wonder
So, it's basically a darker and edgier Kirby metroidvania game? XD In all seriousness, this seems like a great and unique game and I really love the genre! Although I am disappointed to hear about the confusing story, since good stories are always an appreciated bonus for me with these kinds of games.
supersven
I still have no clue what is going on!
Jaromir Krzyszczak
what a game it is!! 🙂 a truly great great great metroidvania!
jett cameron
oh god that map
supersven
It took awhile to find everything.....
InSpec
Thanks for the review
Halil KAPLAN
It looks like an interesting game.
PoeticKatana
Very Hollow Knight map. I love Metroidvanias. This one is high up on my wishlist.
supersven
Get playing!
rotie
I really like the art style in this one.
Lina Anestos
Thanks for the review
Riddler
Nice game
fano23
This is a great metroidvania souls like game
Silentrets
Secret bosses ? cool!
Mike Simms
What just happened? I will avoid that game then as it looks a convoluted mess even if the game play makes it playable.
supersven
I think the black hole eats everything?
Javier del Ríos
Great art on this one, especially the backgrounds.
supersven
I agree!
jon doe
it's grime time
krutarthxo
Not a huge metroidvania fan but this looks fun to play!
supersven
It was a lot of fun!
eFe
Unlock fast travel by defeating the final boss? Unreachable areas even if you have all the skills in the game? I hope that instead of being design errors this is so because they are indications of future free DLC (because if they are paid I wouldn't know how not to see them as content cut from the main game :/ )