GRUNND
- September 11, 2019
- SEKTAHOUSE
This is a 100% handcrafted point and click adventure about traveling to a seemingly ordinary place, right next to you that slowly introduces itself as a surreal and twisted world that has it's own invisible gods, agendas, and order.
Reviews
- The art style is beautiful and contributes to the eerie, neo-noir atmosphere of the game.
- The soundtrack is atmospheric and enhances the overall immersion, with some tracks being particularly effective.
- There are moments of tension and intrigue that can captivate players, making it a unique experience for those who appreciate surreal narratives.
- The gameplay is plagued by numerous bugs, awkward controls, and a lack of polish, leading to a frustrating experience.
- The story feels disjointed and lacks direction, with many plot points left unresolved and characters that are hard to connect with.
- The dialogue and voice acting are inconsistent, often not matching the written text, which detracts from the overall immersion.
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story is described as fragmented and disjointed, making it difficult for players to stay engaged due to slow revelations and disappearing plot points. However, some users appreciate the eerie atmosphere, captivating elements, and strong voice acting, suggesting that it can be an immersive experience for those who enjoy a less action-driven narrative. Overall, the storytelling is polarizing, with some finding it cozy and intriguing, while others criticize its execution and coherence.
“What I got was instead a cozy interactive story, with great voice acting.”
“And the story was definitely captivating enough to keep me playing all the way to the end.”
“Eerie storyline and amazing art style.”
“The story is kind of all over the place and gameplay is really janky.”
“Details about the setting, characters, and story are drip-fed so slowly and in such a fragmented manner that it's hard to stay invested when almost nothing is revealed.”
“Entire plot points seem to just disappear from relevance altogether.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its bleak neo-noir aesthetic, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack and beautiful art design. Reviewers highlight the eerie and tense ambiance, complemented by strong voice acting and intriguing story elements, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a moody experience. Despite some minor gameplay issues, the overall atmospheric quality significantly elevates the game's appeal.
“The soundtrack is incredibly atmospheric and tense.”
“It feeds into the bleak neo-noir atmosphere of the game.”
“Mainly because the noir-esque atmosphere and the music were promising me potential.”
“Love the eeriness and pressuring atmosphere this game brings.”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its atmospheric and tense qualities, effectively complementing the noir-esque art style and enhancing the overall Lynchian atmosphere. Reviewers note that the soundtrack is reminiscent of Mogwai's "Les Revenants," contributing to a unique and immersive experience with its delicate and non-mainstream feel.
“Good atmosphere, creepy and intriguing stuff here and there, and also really beautiful art, music, and voice acting.”
“The soundtrack is incredibly atmospheric and tense.”
“Mainly because the noir-esque atmosphere and the music were promising me potential.”
“Also, the soundtrack is reminiscent of Mogwai's 'Les Revenants'.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for being janky and frustrating, with slow and imprecise movement, inconsistent interaction mechanics, and confusing hotspots that detract from the overall experience. This lack of clarity and coherence has led some players to lose interest and abandon the game.
“The story is kind of all over the place and gameplay is really janky.”
“Movement is slow and imprecise, which, together with confusing hotspot interactions (sometimes left-click instead of right-click is necessary, sometimes correct positioning of the character is necessary, sometimes there is no hotspot or it is not near the point you are ultimately interacting with -- in one word: janky), makes for a frustrating gameplay experience.”
“Once I felt that I was losing interest amidst all the gameplay confusion, I stopped playing and likely will not return.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their beautiful art style and eerie atmosphere, which effectively complement the game's storyline. The visuals, along with the music and voice acting, contribute to a captivating and immersive experience.
“The art style is very beautiful.”
“Eerie storyline and amazing art style.”
“The art style, music, Lynchian atmosphere, some story-related flexibility, and, at times, the voice acting.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely criticized, with users finding it unfunny and lacking in compelling or engaging elements, ultimately describing the experience as boring.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unenjoyable, often detracting from the overall experience.
“It's a tedious experience overall.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over without any real reward.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game's stability is inconsistent, with occasional slowdowns, particularly on hilly terrain, and the presence of bugs and glitches. Additionally, players have experienced difficulties in interacting with active spots, which can hinder gameplay.
“The game can be a bit slow at times, especially during moments with hills. I've encountered a few bugs and glitches, and it can be really hard to click on active spots for some reason.”
“There are frequent stability issues that disrupt the gameplay experience.”
“I often experience crashes and lag, which makes it frustrating to play.”