you can kill and eat people to level up, this works in game and also in real life

Score: 5.5/10

When dealing with the world setting of "creation" and "the essence of being", there's a certain amount of color that comes to mind. GRIME, in strict adherence to its name, decides to take a more opposite approach, instead interpreting nebulaic colouration as a sort of muddy greenish purple, and spreading this interpretation through generally every corner of its fairly samey looking world. Though I can't say that the true breadth of design potential for "rock people" is likely that large, I'm somewhat disappointed that I found myself bored by the designs in a game with literally limitless options. The story fares a little bit better, with a mostly interesting premise, but it's something of an Atlas situation in that the weight of the main plotpoint holds down the entire experience with a now-tropified "cycle" understanding of the lore that has mostly prevented long-lasting development, outside of a single character, from persisting. Combat-wise, GRIME is middling, with a decent grip on enjoyable movement but strange, clunky animations and occasionally poor hitboxes. Questionable pathing can route the player through DLC bosses far above the skill level required at the time, and the fairly stingy upgrade materials makes the surprising amount of weapon options mostly an early-game faux pas. World pathing and backtracking isn't so bad if you're paying attention, though the lack of a true fast travel (as most metroids decide to go with) makes for uncomfortable layaways in the middle of who-knows-where since you could really use an upgrade, but it's a mile and a half back to the sole blacksmith. The Absorb mechanic is interesting and parries are... at least fun (though the overall sound design of the game may be its worst quality), but armor requiring the full set for any benefits kills true mix and match build development in lieu of wearing whatever gives a buff. Despite all these complaints, I still found GRIME at least pleasant, with some parkour sections utilizing the snappy (and mildly imprecise) blink to be the best moments. In the big picture, GRIME's half-decent, even if there's a little mud on the lens.

Very well made metroidvania with souls-like games elements, probably closest thing to Silksong we have right know. It ticks every boxes of this genre - interconected world, collecting power ups, revisitng previous areas for serching of missing items, combat, difficult bosses. I spend 50 hours doing 100% achievements, and it was only 2 playtrough, so if you looking for longer game with a lot of content this is definitely for you

Story - you are little black hole traveling through dying space giant. And you have ability to S U C C. Overall i found premise of Grime very similar to Hollow Knight and Dark Souls. You are a being on a quest to end world/era of a place that doesnt want to move on and accept change. And probably you are not a good guy. Rock... Thing. Anyway, as per usual, this is not a Planescape Torment level of storytelling, you dont need understand plot or even pay attention to enjoy game. Everything is vogue and foggy, some worldbuilding is hidden in item description, Npc talks in weird way, you know the drill.

Mechanics: combat is build around three major things: ability to parry/absorb enemies; managing stamina and proper timing. Especialy stamina is a big thing - even with high number putting in stat and having full developed traits i still struggle to perform many attacks. And jumping or dodging also consume it. So dont charge, dont go berserk, be patient, you cannot brute force this game. Many enemies also have this nasty habit of having delayed attacks. Monster can swing at you, and you think they finish animation but suddenly BANG! Fallow up attack hits you right in face. Or hole.

Developing character is a mix of dark souls, metroidvania and some unique mechanics. First you have your standard metroidvania stuff - you explore world, looking for upgrades like air dash, double jump, pull object etc. But you also have levels, stats and point distribution. Nothing extraodrinary here - rise health for more hit points, rise force for more stamina... Weapons have scalling stats, so slow and heavy hitting hammer is tied to strengh, double knives to dextrenity, Resonance fo you S U C C mechanics. On top of that game also have traits, with are gained by absorbing enemies using parry. This can add some new abilities, like damaging enemies during dash, or better healing. Speaking of healing, you have only max three heals, with are refiled by using parry. As you can see, gameplay is build around it and if you are unsure about you skills, dont worry, hitboxes and parry windows are pretty generous, even dodging scrub like you can handle it.

The real king of this game is exploration. Every area have alternate path, hidden rooms, collectibles, armor to pick up or weapons to find. Some level have even three entrance points. Everything is labirynthian and i feel same joy of being lost I felt when I played Hollow Knight. Grime even have Path of pain look a like area, so if you like to suffer you have found right place.

Grime can be hard. Some bosses like misbigotten amalgam or Dreamborn Terror took me atleast 40 tries to beat, Add to this lack of healing, checkpoints usually two per area, looking for windows of oportunity in combat or exploration puzzles - there is a lot of jumping or dashing gauntlest - and there is a big oportunity for loosing temper and rage. I recomend grinding some exp for time and putting a lot to Force stats, it will be easier to managae pain.

After beating game once go for NG+. Unlike in other games, Grime is not going simplest of path by adding just some numbers to enemies stats. No, here you have full new experience. Common enemies have diffrent attacks now, bosses have aditional stages, there is one aviable only in NG+, you keep all your movement abilities so you can brake sequence, there is new resources to collect, new weapons, armors, extra upgrades are a thing. Yeah, devs did a excelent job with this mode.

Critique. Yeah, there is some. First - camera. It could go lower when i try look what is below my character. I was constantly forced to jump almost blindly because I didnt know what is below, many times i lost hitpoints thanks to that. Some areas are to dark. I understand that devs wants keep us alerted during exploration, but is not fun when i cant see enemies attacks. Few times my characters - after failed jump - spawn under spikes or on verge instakilling vines. Once i was stun locked to death because of that. I also dont like when in boss fight you have this littlle jumping section. Mainly talking about Dreamborn terror. Imagine doing a perfect no damage two phases of boss fight just to die to jumping section. Not fun. And it happens several times.

So yeah. Thats all folks. Hope we have Grime 2 soon.