Grim Tides

About

Grim Tides is a single player tactical role playing game with fantasy, medieval and historical themes. It was developed by Monomyth and was released on April 29, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

A classic single player RPG set in a detailed and immersive fantasy world

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,209 reviews

story341 positive mentions

monetization509 negative mentions

Great effort to create an old-school RPG atmosphere and smartphone-friendly gameplay.
The game is great drop-in-drop-out fun for train rides or waiting times.
The story is overall generic, yet intriguing and leaves you wanting to know more about it.

Inventory management can be cumbersome, especially when trying to use newly found items.
Combat can feel unbalanced, with some enemies being overly difficult despite character stats.
The game can become repetitive, especially in the early stages with limited weapon and armor variety.

story
589 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
1%
The story in "Grim Tides" is generally praised for its depth and engaging narrative, with many players finding it more compelling than typical offerings in mobile RPGs. While some describe it as simple or generic, the well-written lore, immersive world-building, and effective storytelling through text and art create a captivating experience that keeps players invested. However, a few reviewers express a desire for more player agency in shaping the story's direction and outcomes.
- “The storytelling is amazing, with well-written stories and descriptions that create immersion in the game world.”
- “The story is engaging, and the gameplay still stays interesting with random events.”
- “The story is compelling, the progression is interesting, and the overall experience is delightful.”
- “In terms of story, it's very simple so far. I find the tribalistic components concerning; however, I am still not done with the story, and the way they are handled might change. However, some of the themes seem pretty problematic at first glance.”
- “However, I am deducting 1 star for not being able to choose where the story goes. The story is predetermined, and my actions have no consequences. I would have loved for my actions to allow for different outcomes.”
- “The story is alright, but just not very engaging.”
monetization
549 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
3%
93%
The monetization strategy of the game is generally viewed as fair and non-intrusive, with most players appreciating the minimal presence of ads and the option to pay a small fee to remove them entirely. While some users report issues with intrusive or malfunctioning ads, many find the ad experience manageable, often rewarding players for watching ads with in-game currency. Overall, the game avoids aggressive microtransactions and is not considered pay-to-win, making it a more enjoyable experience for players.
- “The monetization is as unobtrusive as it can possibly be.”
- “In-app purchases are very reasonable, if you want to pay since it is never required.”
- “The monetization is very fair and reflects the work the developer has put into the game.”
- “The game itself is quite fun, but it's ruined by frustratingly intrusive video ads that you have no control over.”
- “I was liking the game, would've given 4 rating, until the game decided to interrupt me by showing ads all the freaking time while in the middle of a battle.”
- “The ads are very annoying, 3 screens, takes 3 clicks to get out of them.. otherwise a nice waste of time.”
gameplay
259 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
42%
4%
The gameplay is characterized by its old-school RPG atmosphere, featuring simple yet engaging mechanics that are easy to learn, making it accessible for casual players. While the combat and progression can feel repetitive at times, the game offers a variety of character customization options and a well-balanced story that keeps players invested. Overall, it provides a satisfying blend of straightforward gameplay and deeper strategic elements, appealing to both new and seasoned RPG fans.
- “The immediate saves, low battery demand, and round-based combat make it a perfect replacement for complex modern games based on the same mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is simple, story-driven, and the RPG growth is well-balanced, with an awesome style.”
- “The gameplay is intuitive and well thought out.”
- “Gameplay seems to be a bit repetitive after a couple of levels.”
- “The gameplay feels grindy after a while, could add more diversity to combat, followers, etc.”
- “Dungeon crawling and combat mechanics are buggy and unimaginative.”
graphics
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The graphics of the game are generally described as simple and minimalist, often evoking a nostalgic, old-school RPG feel. While some players appreciate the charming artwork and improved aesthetics, others note that the graphics are not the main focus, with many emphasizing that engaging storytelling and gameplay take precedence over high-end visuals. Overall, the art style is well-received, with many praising its ability to complement the game's rich lore and immersive experience.
- “The artwork, sound, and music is top-notch.”
- “Love the visuals, the character portraits are cute and the backgrounds are beautiful.”
- “Fantastic gameplay, well done mechanics, interesting story, engaging artwork.”
- “Unlike detailed graphics games, one has to read and imagine the circumstances.”
- “Graphics are trash; think like an old MUD game. If you go in with that mindset, the graphics are really good.”
- “It's an old-school dungeon crawl, with limited graphics.”
grinding
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate the grind as a means to achieve rewarding progress and enjoy the content, many others criticize it for being excessively tedious, repetitive, and time-consuming, often leading to frustration. The balance between enjoyable gameplay and the grind can vary significantly, with some players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience.
- “The ads are unobtrusive, and it's fun while somehow not feeling too grindy.”
- “Grinding ceased to be enjoyable and seemed more like a punishment.”
- “The game is pretty much just grinding the same short, uneventful dungeon over and over again.”
- “Its a good game, nice concept, but it's too much work for so little reward and the shop offers things I could never afford; too grindy either up rewards or lower prices.”
music
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
42%
7%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its charm and ability to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere. However, some users note issues such as looping problems, audio quality concerns, and occasional sound bugs that detract from the experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-received, there are calls for improvements in audio quality and thematic consistency, particularly during combat and dungeon sequences.
- “The artwork, sound, and music are top-notch.”
- “Super in-depth storyline, easy to follow tutorial, and excellent game art and soundtrack!”
- “Great music, mechanics, and story.”
- “The music is okay, though a little tiring in longer sessions.”
- “If I had to say something to have room for improvement, it would be the music audio quality.”
- “The music does not fit the theme at all, especially in the dungeons and during combats.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
8%
23%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its rich lore, immersive art, and music, creating a compelling old-school RPG feel that balances between cheerful and grim tones. Players appreciate the effort put into crafting a detailed world that enhances the gameplay experience, making it engaging for both casual and dedicated gamers. Overall, the atmosphere is seen as a significant strength, reflecting the developers' passion and care in its design.
- “However, the story and the world the game creates is rich with detail and the art and music create a quality background atmosphere.”
- “Seems devs put a lot into creating a good atmosphere to explore.”
- “A huge disservice to the dark writing style that sets the atmosphere of the original game.”
- “Would recommend if you like a challenge and a darker tone adventure: creating the right tone and atmosphere is done really well.”
- “Great effort to create an old-school RPG atmosphere and smartphone-friendly gameplay.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
Overall, the game offers a mix of replayability, with many players appreciating the variety of build options, playstyles, and improved mechanics that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some users noted that repetitive elements, such as similar UI and random encounters, can detract from the experience for returning players. Despite these drawbacks, the game's deep lore and customization options contribute to its appeal for those seeking a rich RPG experience.
- “A very satisfying time waster with lots of build potential and replayability.”
- “This is a massive RPG with a deep lore and minimalist graphics and interface. The in-game mechanics are simple to use and understand, but because of the vast equipment, skills, and spells, there are a ton of different ways to play this game. The customization options and various combos provide a lot of replay value.”
- “Varied playstyles are a treat, allowing for lots of replayability should you want to try a different class.”
- “The art style is newly decorated and complements a brighter story than Grim Quest, which may be more suitable to some. However, the UI and many of the random encounters are very much the same, making for a repetitive playthrough for returning players and reducing replayability.”
- “The game is nice and very unique, though I hope they keep updating and adding new content to make it more replayable with every save.”
- “Now level 7 in the first campaign, so I cannot comment on the replayability factor yet.”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
91%
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with users reporting frequent crashes, freezes during gameplay, and significant bugs affecting combat and dungeon mechanics. While some players experienced fewer issues, the overall consensus indicates that the game suffers from severe stability problems, making it frustrating to play.
- “I have had no glitches, and the rewards worked fine for me.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to focus on strategy without interruptions.”
- “Overall lag reduction from your original was decreased to 3 - 5 seconds, though this version freezes, unlike the first one.”
- “At most, I can get halfway through a second dungeon run before it freezes and then restarts.”
- “Game is buggy and keeps crashing in the middle of combat.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
30%
The humor in the game is frequently praised, with players enjoying the comedic elements such as witty dialogue and amusing scenarios, like characters singing sea shanties. Many reviewers highlight the developers' humorous responses to criticism, adding to the overall charm and enjoyment of the game. Overall, the humor is seen as a strong point that enhances the gaming experience.
- “It was so funny and on point I had to give the game a chance, and I'm glad I did.”
- “Perfect history, funny playthrough... I have nothing bad to say about this game!”
- “Great game with lots of thought put into it and an engaging story which is relatively rare on the mobile game platform. Also, if you need a laugh, go look at the developers' responses to people who gave this game a bad review because they didn't pay attention or struggled with the game; the creator of this game is seriously hilarious.”
- “The humor in this game feels forced and often misses the mark, leaving me more confused than amused.”
- “I expected clever jokes and witty dialogue, but instead, I found a lot of tired clichés and unoriginal gags.”
- “The attempts at humor often fall flat, making the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the improvements and find it enjoyable, others feel it is limited and could be enhanced. Overall, the character development is seen as a positive aspect, but there are calls for deeper progression and more engaging mechanics.
- “So far I'm really enjoying the game. I haven't gotten that far yet, but I really like the improvements that the devs made, such as graphics, storyline, character development, and the overall theme of the game. I have both games downloaded now and I really like both games a lot.”
- “There's character development, crafting, lore, and exploration of sorts. I'm a 35-year-old woman who has never played D&D but always liked the idea of it. I've picked up the premise quickly and have enjoyed the game so far!”
- “Great experience, character development, and storyline.”
- “There isn't very much character development, and I feel the experience falls off after you've played for a few hours.”
- “If you have to restrict players from progressing character development from the start of the game, it is a badly designed game.”
- “Dungeon crawler with a bit of character development.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game's visuals are appealing and engaging, but it suffers from significant performance issues, leading to a frustrating experience for players. Many users report that it is extremely poorly optimized, which can severely impact gameplay.
- “This game is extremely poorly optimized.”
- “The performance issues make it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
- “Frequent frame drops and long loading times ruin the overall experience.”