GRIME Reviews

GRIME is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
IGN
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Aug 9, 2021

Grime is a highly accomplished Souls-like action-RPG that delivers a hefty challenge without being punitive.

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TheSixthAxis
Steve C
Top Critic
8 / 10
Aug 11, 2021

Grime is a superb indie gem that will delight fans of challenging games. While its design is influenced by Metroidvanias, the difficulty and mentality are straight from From Software's book. There's some issues that are being worked on by the developers, but the combat is so good here that backtracking through areas rarely feels like a chore. In short, Grime is an essential purchase for anybody seeking a real challenge.

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TJ Denzer
Top Critic
8 / 10
Aug 2, 2021

Grime does a great deal of things in metroidvania and soulsborne gameplay quite well. It’s got an engaging combat system full of customization and fun weapons. Additionally, the ability to absorb enemies for unique abilities is a really great way to individualize your playstyle. It’s also got some incredible environments to explore chockfull of unique enemies and platforming to overcome. I really wish it had a better handle on fast-travel because of how tough and frustrating it can be. That aside, Grime is an invigorating, fun, and challenging journey with a rather outlandish story and a great handle on action-RPG platforming and combat.

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9.2 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2021

GRIME is an excellent soulslike metroidvania. Starting from a solid and consistent base layer that takes heavy inspiration from Dark Souls and Hollow Knight, it brings to the table its own ideas and concepts in order to offer an experience with its own rich personality. Inspired bosses, especially in the second half, and an excellent gameplay complete the package. Highly recommended.

Review in Italian | Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Aug 9, 2021

Grime is simply a phenomenal game, and is one of the best hardcore Metroidvanias I've played in a while. I'd advise any fan of the genre to seek it out and give it a try, and I promise it won't disappoint.

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90 / 100
Aug 2, 2021

Grime is an expertly crafted 2D action-adventure game that combines satisfying combat, tight platforming, and rewarding progression to earn its place as one of the most enjoyable titles I've played this year. It's also got some brutally tough, memorable bosses that will truly test everything you've got. If you're a fan of a challenge and aren't too fussed about a story, you'll have an incredible time with Grime.

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82 / 100
Aug 2, 2021

Ultimately, Grime is an overall successful transposition of the 2D Soulslike subgenre into a new and engaging world. Although it lacks the emotional richness of the best Souls games, Grime’s striking environments, solid combat, imaginative enemies and original mechanics all work together in harmony, and it clearly establishes a formula that is open to refinement and possibility.

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9 / 10
Aug 5, 2021

Grime is a stellar offering that stands ahead of the pack in both the Souls-like and Metroidvania subgenres. Its challenging combat and platforming mechanics add unique quirks that make for a refreshing experience. It does have a few notable flaws, but you'll have a great time in its bizarre world.

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85 / 100
Dec 21, 2022

Coming back to Grime many months after its release, I’m still impressed with the game’s art, combat, and its smart variations on the Soulslike genre. The new, generous, free DLC adds a significant amount of excellent content and rewards the player community for its commitment to the game. As it was when it released, Grime is still one of the best recent Soulslikes and the Colors of Rot only makes it better

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Aug 5, 2021

Further glimpses into this breathtaking universe are often reward enough for exploring the game’s multitude of alternate paths, but even GRIME’s level design is surprising for featuring a world much larger and more complex than it appears as you discover involved platforming challenges and optional bosses. Though GRIME emerges into an almost comically overcrowded genre, its initial familiarity and rigidity belie a world of intricate and formidable imagination.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 5, 2021

A bit like in his own world, in Grime imperfection is the master. This, however, does not prevent him in the least from shining and soaring like the protagonist himself, a Sculpted hated by the creatures that swarm the ravines. Clover Bite's first work is a metroidvania of the highest level, perhaps not fully original, thanks to a skilful mix of mechanics and artistic styles borrowed from numerous media and works, but absolutely successful, able to give a punitive experience, but for most of the adventure right and not too frustrating.

Review in Italian | Read full review

5 / 10
Feb 5, 2024

Grime is a beautiful, well-designed, challenging game with a ton of content, but it runs extremely poorly on Switch, to the extent that it's hard to recommend this version of the game if you can get it on another platform. It's disappointing, because Grime does so much right, and developer Clover Bite has clearly put a lot of love into it over the years. But all of that love can't save an action game that just doesn't run well. In this genre, that's a deal-breaker. It's a shame Grime's Switch debut is so rocky, because playing as a rock creature with a black hole doubling as its cranium is really cool. Don't get us wrong: Grime is playable on Switch, but until (or if) things get ironed out with updates, this brutal world is one you might want to avoid.

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8 / 10
Aug 5, 2021

GRIME dishes up an intriguing universe with even more intriguing enemies and bosses. While its story is on the shallow side, its original visuals and combat mechanics steal the show. However, be warned: in true souls-like fashion, GRIME’s combat is brutal and unforgiving, which might not make it a game for everyone. That said, if you’re not afraid of jumping straight into the action, the game will be just as rewarding as it is challenging.

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4 / 5.0
Aug 9, 2021

Grime is a brutal rocky beast of a Metroidvania, set in a strange and truly alien world of bizarre monsters and darkly-beautiful landscapes.

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7.8 / 10.0
Aug 19, 2021

GRIME is a game that knows how to balance metroidvania and soulslike game mechanics. While the criptic story unfolds, the game becomes harder in the second half, showing a bit of imbalance.

Review in Italian | Read full review

GameSpace
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Aug 20, 2021

Grime is, much like its central character, an odd amalgamation of ideas, from Souls based RPGs, to platforming punch em ups, all oddly twisted into something that looks like a little nightmare all its own. If you’re looking for something different but utterly beautiful, then Grime is worth your time.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 22, 2021

Grime packs a mean punch in both its platforming and combat, with a visual design that's worth writing home about. Its mediocre Metroidvania aspects are what keep it from being a must-play, however.

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6.5 / 10.0
Mar 13, 2024

Grime Definitive Edition is a fascinating action-platforming experience that I can't recommend experiencing on the Switch. Its unique visual and narrative presentations will compel genre fans to the end, but the game would surely be better enjoyed without Switch performance problems dragging it down.

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9 / 10.0
Aug 8, 2021

Sometimes Grime can be a little bit frustrating, but overall, it is gorgeous: unique and memorable world, satisfying combat, interesting bosses, and this warm feeling of overcoming every obstacle on your way.

Review in Russian | Read full review

TrueGaming
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Aug 11, 2021

GRIME is an intriguing experience with its mysterious world and dark tune. The mixture between Metroidvanias and Souls-like mechanics needed more balancing, but the attempt is still appreciated.

Review in Arabic | Read full review