GRIME Reviews

GRIME is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
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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5.4 / 10.0
Jan 31, 2024
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60 / 100
Aug 6, 2021

Grime is a very unique-looking game set in a weird-as-hell creationist-themed world that’s sure to be divisive among gamers. It has some fun rock-solid moments, but the game is clearly trying to be Dark Souls with 2D and platforming when it should have just emulated how other 2D hardcore titles like the Ori series handle difficulty and fairness.

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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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3.5 / 5.0
Oct 1, 2021

There’s no arguing that GRIME is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful Metroidvanias ever created, and it’s obvious that a lot of love was put into it. Unfortunately, the attempt to create some kind of compromise between Dark Souls and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow created a product that, while still undoubtedly fun, felt a little too lukewarm at times to truly be considered “great.” I think that if certain things got revamped, GRIME could be a totally killer Metroidvania. But, until then, it’ll just be “good.”

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7 / 10.0
Aug 3, 2021

Grime is a solid entry in the souls-like and Metroidvania genre that stands out due to its unsettling world and some nice new ideas. However, it's a difficult game which means it can be a little bit frustrating sometimes. The story could have used more clarity, too. But overall If you are a fan of challenging games this is a good place to lose yourself in.

Review in Persian | Read full review

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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Noisy Pixel
Orpheus Joshua
7.5 / 10.0
Aug 2, 2021

Grime is a Souls-like experience that’ll cleanse your pallet between the more significant releases of the genre. It mainly acts as filler, but it also keeps your reactions to tense action gameplay in top shape for whatever you’ll play next. The atmosphere really sells the dreary adventure with the help of an excellent artistic design, a stellar soundtrack, and engaging combative mechanics. Still, there’s a noticeable lack of boss spectacle and challenge required to at least cause a few fist clenches.

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75 / 100
Dec 28, 2022

Grotesquely designed and brutally challenging, GRIME is a unique metroidvania experience. It's certainly not for everyone, but those willing to dive into the title's dark world will find plenty to enjoy.

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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

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

8 / 10
Sep 20, 2021

GRIME brings nothing new to the Metroidvania tag, but it doesn’t have to. Challenging enough combat, with some RPG-like loadout elements make for engaging gameplay. That it’s gross and its bosses skin-crawling also work in its favour. If you enjoy your challenging platformers, you’ll enjoy this.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 6, 2021

I don’t know what I was expecting from GRIME, but its unique absorbing mechanic, fast paced combat, and engaging platforming all come together. Whilst the genre of Souls-like Metroidvania’s might be becoming oversaturated, GRIME does more than enough to be deserving of your attention.

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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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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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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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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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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

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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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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