Grimvalor
- October 10, 2018
- Direlight
- 9h median play time
Get on Apple StoreGrimvalor is a single-player Fantasy Hack and Slash game with an interesting plot, set in a dark fantasy world. It boasts sensational game mechanics, fabulous graphics, and exceptional music, but can be very grinding and contains too many ads. Players control a lone warrior on a quest to restore a corrupted realm, battling enemies across atmospheric landscapes and dungeons in a massive story-driven experience.
iPad
iPhone
Nintendo Switch
Phone
Android
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- Incredible graphics and smooth gameplay, reminiscent of classic action RPGs.
- Challenging yet rewarding combat mechanics that keep players engaged.
- No microtransactions or ads, providing a complete gaming experience for a one-time purchase.
- Controls can be unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Some bosses are overly difficult, making progress feel tedious.
- The game can feel repetitive after a while, with limited enemy variety and predictable patterns.
- graphics529 mentions
- 82 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many users praising their beauty, detail, and smooth performance across various devices. Players appreciate the game's art style, which combines elements reminiscent of classic titles like Dark Souls and Castlevania, while also noting that the visuals enhance the overall immersive experience. Despite some minor criticisms regarding optimization and occasional lag, the consensus is that the graphics significantly contribute to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
“This is a beautiful game, lovely art style and very enjoyable. I enjoy the new game+ which has bigger, more powerful enemies and tests your skill.”
“Grimvalor delivers an immersive gaming experience with its captivating storyline, impressive graphics, and engaging combat mechanics.”
“The graphics are amazing, the quality of picture is superb, the music and sound effects are just out of this world.”
“I have to keep the graphics pretty low otherwise there is visual lag, which will get you killed very quickly in this game.”
“Needs some graphics work too... the fire and the beasts might need a little texturing... they look like a big blur.”
“Graphics could have been much better though.”
- gameplay402 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay is widely praised for its smoothness, responsiveness, and engaging mechanics, often compared to classic titles like Dark Souls and Metroidvania games. Players appreciate the challenging yet rewarding experience, with many noting the game's fluid controls and beautiful graphics that enhance the overall experience. While some find the gameplay to be somewhat repetitive or lacking in variety, the majority agree that it offers a satisfying and immersive adventure, especially for a mobile title.
“Fantastic gameplay loop with responsive controls.”
“The gameplay is fluid and intuitive, graphics are outstanding and as many others have mentioned it's challenging but not too difficult that you can't eventually overcome whatever obstacle you are facing.”
“The gameplay is smooth and the controls are fluid.”
“Gameplay-wise, this feels like one of those really bad Nintendo DS throwaway movie titles.”
“The gameplay is substandard and you only get one act before you have to pay for it.”
“Some gameplay mechanics don't work as intended with touch controls; overall experience is good, decent graphics and nice storyline.”
- story354 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as engaging yet simple, with many players appreciating its intriguing elements and the way it unfolds through exploration and environmental storytelling. While some reviews note that the narrative could benefit from more depth and clarity, the overall consensus is that the story complements the gameplay well, providing a satisfying backdrop to the action. Graphics and gameplay mechanics are often highlighted as standout features, enhancing the overall experience despite some critiques of the story's brevity and predictability.
“Grimvalor delivers an immersive gaming experience with its captivating storyline, impressive graphics, and engaging combat mechanics.”
“The story is intriguing and well made, and the graphics are crisp and nice to look at.”
“The story, atmosphere, and music keep you invested in a mobile game that actually challenges your skills and not your wallet.”
“The story is almost nonexistent but the hack and slash is fun and it's not a super slow game either.”
“The story is a bit shallow.”
“It's got a tried plot and a weak attempt at a story if that's important for you.”
- monetization123 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the one-time purchase option that eliminates ads and microtransactions after the initial trial. While some users find the ads in the demo version annoying, they acknowledge that the full game offers a satisfying experience without ongoing costs. Overall, players prefer this upfront payment approach over the prevalent free-to-play models filled with ads and microtransactions.
“A game under $10 with no ads, no microtransactions, and roughly 10 hours of playtime.”
“Absolutely no pay-to-win, or microtransactions beyond the one-time purchase of the full game.”
“It's very enjoyable to play, and no ads jumping in your face every minute and no pay-to-win broken system, so popular among some developers.”
“Figures are absurdly difficult from the start to incentivize you to watch ads to get ahead (or pay).”
“You cannot finish the game without paying $6.99 to unlock all areas and to get rid of the ads.”
“Really don't like these kind of 'fake free' where you have to pay to unlock the full game, but still forced to see ads while trying the trial version.”
- music97 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with dramatic scores that fit the game's tone perfectly. Many players noted that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's mood, making combat and exploration more engaging. While some minor critiques exist regarding music repetition, the general consensus is that the sound design is exceptional and elevates the gameplay.
“The music fits the game perfectly.”
“The music is excellent, with some dramatic scores, the likes of which you would expect to hear in a console game.”
“This game is amazing, the creators put beautiful graphics, music that is haunting and beautiful and creates an addictive yet encompassing and haunting mood.”
“Music blows hard.”
“The game turns repetitive quite soon, as the same enemies, music, and levels get recycled, with a slightly different color scheme every time.”
“Awesome graphics & gameplay, just wish the soundtrack was better.”
- atmosphere44 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, enhanced by impressive graphics and a compelling soundtrack. Many reviewers highlight the dark, grim aesthetic reminiscent of titles like Dark Souls and Hollow Knight, creating a rich and engaging experience that complements the gameplay. Overall, the combination of visual and auditory elements contributes to a polished and atmospheric adventure that resonates well with players.
“The atmosphere is also amazing.”
“Grimvalor has a beautifully haunting atmosphere and sound which intertwines well with the gameplay.”
“The dark and grim atmosphere is on point, the graphics look really nice for a 2.5D game, and dare I say, it is perfect for a 2.5D game like this.”
“None atmosphere and graphics.”
“Mostly lacks the atmosphere, but provides decent hacking and slashing.”
“The game takes you to the PlayStation 1 experience atmosphere along with the Prince of Persia PC vibes.”
- grinding26 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
Overall, players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some find the grinding to be minimal and rewarding, enhancing their enjoyment and progression, others feel it can become tedious, especially when facing challenging bosses or when resources are scarce. The game strikes a balance between skill and grinding, with many appreciating that it avoids excessive grind and microtransactions, though some players still find themselves stuck in repetitive grinding loops.
“Not too difficult, and not grindy unless you want to try to get everything, though there is no reason to.”
“The only metroidvania platformer on mobile that tastes exactly like a classic metroidvania. Not too grindy, not too hard, but neither easy. Good controls and I really appreciate the pad support. Great game, great lore, and great gameplay. The soulslike elements give it that touch of perfection. 5/5!”
“One of the best-made games I've ever played, even on PC. The game mechanics are amazing, it isn't too grindy, level design is excellent, and boss fights feel rewarding and challenging at the same time. The only downside is that there isn't more of it. Excellent game overall.”
“It's not hard to traverse from your encampment to the final boss, but it is tedious and unnecessary.”
“You don't get enough experience and resources to progress further than level 4 max, so you're stuck grinding the same levels over and over again.”
“Way too difficult and designed only to drive the player to in-app purchases to get good weaponry, skills, and gold to continue, without having to spend hours and weeks of endless grinding to get anywhere.”
- optimization26 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance across a range of devices, from low-end to high-end smartphones. While some players experienced initial stuttering, enabling performance modes often resolved these issues, allowing for impressive graphics even on lower settings. The game is recognized as one of the best-optimized titles for mobile, with fluid controls and strong compatibility with gamepads, though a few users noted the need for further optimization on specific devices.
“Certainly it isn't the best looking on the market, but it is optimized beyond what most mobile games wish they could accomplish.”
“I'm impressed by the optimization of the game and how it feels!”
“One of the best optimized games for mobile.”
“Even on everything low, the game had issues running for me at first on my Honor View 20, but after enabling performance mode, I can crank everything to max without problems.”
“The game is good but only in the menu; to be honest, the auto-optimized setting system makes the screen small and I couldn't even play it!”
“Need more optimization for Pixel 4.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as moderate, with some players appreciating the addition of New Game Plus (NG+) and the enjoyment of discovering hidden loot and secrets. However, many reviewers express a desire for more content, such as respawning bosses or additional challenges, to enhance replay value after completing NG+. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable replay experiences, it could benefit from further expansions to keep players engaged long-term.
“Nothing but replay value and enjoyment out of this game over and over, and there are still several loot catches and secrets I have yet to find or unlock.”
“Good replayability, even having a new game plus.”
“Absolute 5-star game, wonderful scenery and mechanics, awesome RPG/platform; the new game plus just adds to the replayability, and it is nice that the difficulty continues throughout new game and new game plus.”
“Nothing revolutionary, and it could be longer or have some replay value.”
“Probably spent 40 hours on before losing its replayability.”
“Only weak spot is it needs more replayability by making all the mini bosses and bosses respawn in respective dungeons so the game has replayability, because after finishing ng+ there's nothing else.”
- stability10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frequent freezes during intense combat or at specific locations, hindering progress. While many appreciate the graphics and overall gameplay, issues with controller responsiveness and glitches have been reported, leading to frustration for some users. Overall, while the game runs well for many, significant stability concerns persist that need addressing.
“Great graphics and easy controls; no glitches either.”
“I am glad I found your game, runs great, it has graphics options for even more customization.”
“Looks great, runs great, gameplay is extremely fun... and there's controller support!”
“The game also freezes for a second or two when I fight too many enemies at once or when I deal too much damage to a boss too quickly.”
“I play with my Xbox controller normally, but for some reason, the controls have glitches, leaving me only able to move around without the ability to attack.”
“I have plenty of storage space and a good internet connection, but as soon as I get to the monastery entrance, the game freezes and I cannot continue.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted as a weak point, with reviewers indicating that while the graphics and gameplay are enjoyable, the depth of character progression and storytelling is insufficient for those seeking a more immersive experience.
“A really fun game with good graphics and good gameplay; the character design is also impressive.”
“Character development and the loot system are lacking a bit.”
“If you want character development and story, this isn't it.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, highlighting its rewarding exploration and wholesome experience, especially in contrast to other titles that are often filled with ads. The free access to Act I further enhances the emotional connection, allowing players to engage without financial barriers.
“The emotional depth of the story left a lasting impact on me, making me reflect on my own experiences.”
“The characters are so well-developed that I felt a genuine connection to their struggles and triumphs.”
“The game's ability to evoke such strong feelings is a testament to its storytelling and design.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game's humor to be exceptionally entertaining, with many describing it as "freaking funny" and a highlight of their gaming experience. The humor may take a moment to fully grasp, but once understood, it significantly enhances the enjoyment of the game.
“One of the best downloads I've made in a long time! I love this game; it's freaking funny as hell! It just took me a minute to understand it, but once I did, I was hooked.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch! I found myself laughing out loud at the clever jokes and witty dialogue.”
“This game has a unique sense of humor that keeps you entertained. The comedic timing is perfect, and the characters are hilarious!”
