Grimm's Hollow
- October 30, 2019
- ghosthunter
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreA spooky, freeware RPG where you search the afterlife for your brother. Reap ghosts with your scythe, explore haunted caves, and eat ghostly treats on your journey through death.
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- Beautiful art style and charming visuals that enhance the game's atmosphere.
- Touching and emotional story that resonates with themes of grief and loss.
- Engaging combat mechanics with a unique timing-based system that keeps battles interesting.
- Combat can feel unbalanced, especially as players can become overpowered quickly.
- Dodging mechanics can be inconsistent, leading to frustration during battles.
- The game is quite short, leaving players wanting more content and exploration.
- story3,059 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story of "Grimm's Hollow" is widely praised for its emotional depth and engaging narrative, exploring themes of loss, grief, and familial bonds. Players appreciate the charming art style and music that complement the heartfelt storyline, which is both bittersweet and touching. Despite its short length, the game offers multiple endings that enhance replayability, making it a memorable experience for those who enjoy story-driven RPGs.
“The story is absolutely wonderful; it made me cry both times I played the game through.”
“The story is so touching and the visuals are absolutely stunning.”
“The story is a touching tale of loss and how it affects those involved.”
“The story is relatively quick, but very sweet.”
“The story is short, and the characters are all so kind, at one point you don't even see the plot twist coming.”
“The story is simple but well thought out.”
- emotional976 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Grimm's Hollow is widely praised for its deeply emotional narrative, which explores themes of grief, loss, and acceptance. Players report being moved to tears multiple times throughout the game, particularly during its various endings, which are described as both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The combination of charming visuals, engaging gameplay, and a touching story creates a memorable experience that resonates with many, making it a highly recommended title for those seeking an emotional journey.
“The story is beautifully crafted and deeply touching, leaving an unforgettable mark on my heart.”
“Grimm's Hollow is a touching game, with a pinch of humor, about moving on from death.”
“The emotional ride and memorable character designs makes me want to see a sequel!”
- gameplay932 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Grimm's Hollow" is characterized by its engaging turn-based mechanics, which incorporate timing elements for attacks and dodges, reminiscent of titles like "Undertale." While many players appreciate the simplicity and accessibility of the mechanics, some have noted inconsistencies, particularly with the dodge feature, which can detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a charming blend of fun combat, a heartfelt story, and beautiful art, making it a worthwhile experience, especially given its free price point.
“The battle mechanics are fun and much more interactive and enjoyable than simple turn-based mechanics, and the leveling system is simple, allowing you to strategize the stats you need to build to keep up with enemies as you progress.”
“The gameplay is easy to pick up and decently fun, but really the story is what is so wonderful about this game.”
“The gameplay is simple, yet intense.”
“I forgive a lot when a game is free, but the gameplay is just so bad that sadly overall this game is a waste of time.”
“The only criticism I might have is with the implementation of QTE mechanics.”
“The gameplay tends to be the biggest let down, with occasionally clunky timed hits, potentially imbalanced progression, and combat that's easy to brute force, but the main draws are the aesthetics, stories, characters, and emotional core.”
- graphics915 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Grimm's Hollow" have been widely praised for their charming and cute pixel art style, which effectively complements the game's bittersweet narrative. Many players appreciate the vibrant color palette, particularly the use of purple, and the overall aesthetic that evokes nostalgia reminiscent of classic RPGs like "Undertale." The visuals, combined with a touching story and engaging soundtrack, create a captivating atmosphere that enhances the emotional depth of the gameplay experience.
“The art style is absolutely adorable, the music lovely, and the story is good.”
“Grimm's Hollow is a fantastic top-down RPG, with a bittersweet, heartfelt story and fantastic artwork.”
“The art style is stunning, wish this game was longer <3”
“The graphics are simple but charming.”
“The art style is somewhat muddy, washed out, and underdeveloped, making some things hard to decipher what they are and not having a lot of details.”
“The game is also made in RPG Maker 2003 which I believe is the reason why the game has a bit of a low resolution and some general graphical issues.”
- music853 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Grimm's Hollow" has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and catchy melodies, enhancing the game's charming atmosphere and storytelling. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke feelings of nostalgia and connection, with many noting its suitability for both gameplay and casual listening. Overall, the music is described as a standout feature that complements the game's art style and narrative, making it a memorable experience for players.
“The music throughout the game was really special, and the combat is incredibly fun with the dodge mechanic and figuring out target priority.”
“The soundtrack of Grimm's Hollow, composed by Christopher Anaya, deserves special mention for its atmospheric and emotive qualities.”
“The music is fantastic, the graphics are cute and spooky.”
“The music was really annoying, the controls are... weird and unusual.”
“Unfortunately, not one of the music pieces that run in the background really stuck in my head.”
“Some of the music was a bit of a letdown (victory music, death cave) but still fits the atmosphere of the game.”
- humor170 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, often blending lighthearted moments with deeper, more emotional themes surrounding death and grief. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, quirky character interactions, and the ability to evoke both laughter and tears, reminiscent of titles like "Undertale." Overall, the humor is seen as a key element that enhances the game's storytelling and emotional impact, making it a delightful experience.
“It touches the subject of death in a very sensitive way, and it still manages to have some funny bits here and there through the characters' interactions.”
“The writing was poignant, delivering moments of both humor and sorrow that tugged at my emotions.”
“The humor lands really well and the story is immersive.”
“Not funny, cried.”
“The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
“I expected humor, but it was more cringeworthy than amusing.”
- grinding129 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some found it necessary for achieving certain endings and maxing out skills, many noted that the grinding was not overly tedious and often felt rewarding, especially when combined with engaging combat and a compelling story. Overall, players appreciated that while some grinding is required, it is manageable and can enhance the overall experience rather than detract from it.
“Fairly easy, not too grindy, and the story is very good.”
“Overall I like this game a lot, just slightly less grinding would be nice lol 9/10”
“Character progression is quick and breezy so you can max out your stats with almost no grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It's a real shame when the best part of the game is locked behind a tedious grind of maxing your character out.”
“The game is grindy, but it's not too bad.”
- atmosphere124 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming blend of cozy and spooky elements, enhanced by a captivating art style and an emotive soundtrack. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a dream-like quality, with memorable characters and engaging storytelling that resonate emotionally. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature, creating an immersive experience that draws players into its whimsical yet melancholic world.
“The hand-drawn pixel art created a visually stunning landscape, where whimsical characters and eerie atmospheres blended seamlessly to draw me into Lavender's captivating journey through the afterlife.”
“The atmosphere is the perfect balance between cute and spooky, and the characters are so sweet, you get attached immediately.”
“The atmosphere carries the story well and makes it really enjoyable in the same vein as Cave Story + or Undertale.”
“The melancholy atmosphere created by the visuals, the colors, and the soundtrack is nothing short of incredible.”
“The story itself wasn't that strong but the art and song made the atmosphere really strong.”
“Grimm's Hollow is extremely interesting, with well-written in-depth characters and a slightly off-kilter, surrealist atmosphere.”
- character development80 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its emotional depth and engaging storytelling, particularly through the character of Lavender, whose journey resonates with players. The character designs are consistently highlighted as creative and charming, contributing to the overall immersive experience, though some reviewers express a desire for more extensive character interactions and development due to the game's brevity. Overall, the combination of well-crafted characters and a heartfelt narrative enhances the game's appeal, making it a memorable experience for players.
“I first played this back when I lost a lot of good friends and family; the character development with Lavender is amazing because at certain parts, not only are you playing as her, you are her.”
“The character designs are all really cute, and even some of the enemies look pettable. The story gets emotional in all the right ways, and I enjoyed the surprisingly in-depth backstories of the more main characters.”
“This game was quite the joy to play through. Even though it's short, the game makes up for it with its story, brilliant artwork, interesting characters, amazing music, and overall gameplay.”
“I just think it's sort of odd to use abuse and withdrawal as a means of character development when it hadn't ever been previously mentioned, not even a hint of it.”
“The characters, while not given much character development, still manage to be charming and likable.”
“And yet, the game makes me yearn for more content - character development that's more tightly written as well as more interactions between the characters to really draw out the amazing personalities and world that we've been introduced to.”
- stability51 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches that can affect gameplay, particularly in the combat system and dodging mechanics. While some users noted minor visual issues and occasional freezing, others experienced more significant problems, such as losing progress due to crashes. Overall, while the game is enjoyable and has a compelling story, it is clear that it requires further polishing to address these stability concerns.
“There were no glitches and the combat system felt fun and challenging.”
“The game is stable, providing a smooth experience without any major issues.”
“The performance is solid, allowing for an immersive gameplay experience.”
“The only downside is the dodging mechanic still feels a little buggy; there are times I click to dodge but it just doesn't activate, costing me the final battle. However, the game is short, so it isn't a huge loss.”
“Make an auto-save feature; this game has many glitches and it crashes easily. I lost 99% of my progress, so remember to save until this is implemented. Either way, the game is really good for a free-to-play title, though it lacks a proper tutorial.”
“This could become a decent little RPG, but right now it's alpha and buggy and short, clearly lacking the polishing it deserves.”
- replayability25 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game offers notable replayability primarily due to its multiple endings, which encourage players to explore different choices and outcomes. While the playtime is relatively short, ranging from 40 minutes to a couple of hours, many players find the experience engaging enough to warrant multiple playthroughs. However, some reviews suggest that the replay value may be limited for those who prefer longer gameplay or deeper mechanics.
“Incredible little game that's really reminiscent of Undertale but is also truly its own thing. It has multiple endings, so replayability is there (and you'll want to replay it anyway).”
“There is some replayability with four endings; thankfully, they all are based on actions you take during the final battle, so it won't take long to 100% the game (although there is one ending that is so brutally abrupt, I was sort of glad I saved it for last...).”
“Despite it being such a short game (completed in two hours), it has replayability, if not for the gameplay, scenery, cute dialogue profiles, or even the music.”
“The other complaint I have is that the game has no replay value.”
“My second issue is that the game isn't super replayable.”
“Short and not really replayable but would recommend.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for performance issues, including frequent crashes, lagging sound effects, and frame stuttering during key encounters, which can disrupt gameplay. While some bugs and lower frame rates are present, they generally do not significantly affect the overall experience for most players.
“Of course, you might notice some bugs throughout the game and some performance issues that might lower the FPS, but I assure you that these won't impact your gameplay for the majority of the time.”
“Along with that, a few performance issues hit me, such as frequent crashing, attacks and sound effects lagging, and it is too easy to accidentally load a save you didn't want to.”
“There was some frame stuttering in the encounter with the enemy 'trio', where it caused me to miss the evade and swing mini-game.”
“Of course, you might notice some bugs throughout the game, and some performance issues that might lower the FPS, but I assure you that these won't impact your gameplay for the majority of the time.”
