“Parry. Strike. Absorb. Defeat.” is the tagline publisher Akupara Games has attached to the upcoming 2D action-RPGGrime. The words imply both aDark Soulsinfluence and a depth of combat beyond hack and slash. But asGrime’s new release date trailer confirms, it’s a tagline that doesn’t fully capture what’s likely to draw attention toGrime. To say thatGrimeis bizarre would be an understatement. Interested gamers will be able to see for themselves starting August 2 on PC and Stadia.
Grime’s developers, Clover Bite, describe a world “alien in its own familiarity,” filled with surreal environments and terrors around every corner. A fitting description would beBlasphemousmeedsZeno Clash, orSalt and SanctuarymeetsOddworld. There’s something unsettling aboutGrimeand it isn’t just that the game’s protagonist looks like the main character ofGetting Over It with Bennett Foddyescaped from his cauldron.
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The gameplay forGrimeis much more of a straightforward experience, though.Grimeis clearly trying to deliver a2DDark Soulsstyle of combatand overall experience. Expect harsh, punishing action that requires the player to be both precise and patient. Giant enemies and bosses await to teach players that they’ve only just begun to masterGrime’s mechanics. And each step forward will only further the mystery ofGrime’s world and story.Naturally, a 2D game can’t fully deliver aDark Soulsexperience. 3D environments deliver an entirely different type of exploration, after all. As such,Grimeappears to have different inspirations for its 2D worldbuilding. There’s a fair amount of challenging platforming, soGrimegoes further than a typical Metroidvania. At first glance,Grimecould be somewhere between aHollow KnightandOri and the Blind Forestin terms of exploration and platforming.
Suffice to say,Grimehas taken influence from some of the best games in the genre. Whether or not it delivers an experience worthy of being compared to those games is another matter entirely, of course. For an indie team like Clover Bite, however, it’s a great approach. It’s ahigh-demand genreof game, but with plenty of bizarre personality that should makeGrimestand out from the competition.
Grime’s new release date trailer, released through IGN, confirms that the 2D action-RPG will be arriving soon. That’s a pretty good turnaround for a game first revealed just this past month as part of the Guerrilla CollectiveSummer of Gamingpresentation.
Grimereleases August 2 on PC and Stadia.
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