Pepper Grinder

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 499 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Pepper Grinder Game Cover
Pepper Grinder is simply one of the greatest 2D platformers I've ever played, thanks to movement that is absolute perfection and endless creativity that allows for constant reinvention in every single new level you enter.
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"Pepper Grinder" is an action-packed pirate adventure featuring Pepper and her drilling device, Grinder. After being shipwrecked and robbed, Pepper must retrieve her stolen treasure by burrowing through terrain, controlling machines, and defeating enemies. With thrilling drilling mechanics, precise movements, and the ability to conquer and collect riches, Pepper will face mysterious beings and uncover new paths on her journey.

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Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 499 reviews
gameplay101 positive mentions
grinding24 negative mentions
  • The drilling mechanic is incredibly satisfying and fluid, making movement through levels enjoyable.
  • The game features a colorful art style and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Each level introduces new mechanics and challenges, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
  • The game is quite short, taking only about 3-4 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • Boss fights can be frustrating and feel out of place, with inconsistent hitboxes and difficulty spikes.
  • Some mechanics, like the grappling hook and shooting segments, detract from the core drilling gameplay and can feel clunky.
  • gameplay274 mentions

    The gameplay of *Pepper Grinder* is characterized by its innovative drilling mechanic, which provides a satisfying and fluid experience, particularly in the early levels. However, many players feel that the game introduces too many disparate mechanics that detract from the core drilling experience, leading to frustration, especially during boss fights. While the level design is praised for its creativity and variety, the overall execution leaves some players wanting more depth and cohesion in the gameplay.

    • “This is a delightful platformer with tight, energetic controls and mechanics, fun engaging and well-paced level design, lots of treasure to satisfyingly collect and some tricky bosses.”
    • “The fluidity of the movement and the variety of challenges keep the gameplay fresh and engaging from start to finish.”
    • “Pepper grinder is an incredibly smooth and fast-paced action platformer that refrains from getting stale by adding new mechanics every level.”
    • “Later levels are a slog and utilize mechanics that have frustratingly little to do with the primary mechanics of the game, that being the drill-based platforming.”
    • “The game is way too short, frustrating, and unpolished in terms of mechanics and movement.”
    • “The digging mechanic in the fights feels forced and is more hindering than helpful, causing you to weirdly stall underground or trying to change direction of travel without falling out.”
  • music113 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and variety, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to enhance the gameplay experience. The soundtrack features a mix of upbeat and atmospheric tracks that complement the game's vibrant visuals and fast-paced action, making it a standout element. While some tracks received mixed feedback, the overall consensus is that the music is engaging and memorable, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “The music is a particular standout; many stages are scored perfectly with their settings and, from the moment you hear what plays at the main menu, you'll know right away the 'high-octane' vibe the game is going for!”
    • “The soundtrack complements the action perfectly, providing a peppy and upbeat backdrop to your drilling adventures.”
    • “Incredible movement, awesome soundtrack, and creative level designs.”
    • “The music is unfortunately forgettable.”
    • “I don't mind the soundtrack, but it's not that great either.”
    • “The soundtrack is pretty hit-or-miss, but if you're craving a hit of old-school miniclip/nitrome platformer magic, pepper grinder delivers.”
  • graphics39 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received a generally positive reception, with many praising the beautiful and distinct art style, charming pixel graphics, and well-animated visuals that enhance the overall aesthetic. While some users noted minor glitches and inconsistencies, the vibrant colors and meticulous detail in the artwork contribute to an engaging experience. Overall, the combination of appealing graphics and a fitting soundtrack creates a visually enjoyable atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding technical performance and art style execution.

    • “The game's artwork has been beautifully drawn and is really distinct.”
    • “The art style is bursting with color and personality, bringing each level to life with meticulous detail.”
    • “Gorgeous hand-drawn visuals and catchy soundtrack.”
    • “The art style, the soundtrack, the mechanics, they all could've been so much more.”
    • “The pixel graphics are not the best I have ever seen, but they have their own charming style.”
    • “The visuals freeze up when I fullscreen it, which doesn't happen for any other game, so I don't know where that originates, but it happened in the demo too.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    Reviews of the game's grinding mechanics are mixed, with some players finding the grinding enjoyable and rewarding due to the unique level designs and fast-paced gameplay. However, many also describe it as tedious and repetitive, particularly during combat and boss battles, which can detract from the overall experience. While the grinding can be fun in short bursts, it often becomes frustrating and monotonous over longer play sessions.

    • “Getting all the coins is tedious, and involves looking for a crack in a wall and drilling.”
    • “The last level is particularly tedious with this mechanic.”
    • “Since (most of the time) the only tool you have to fight them is your drill, combat very quickly turns into a tedious chore, especially when you die and all the enemies reset.”
  • story23 mentions

    The game's story is generally considered simple and straightforward, revolving around a character's quest for treasure and revenge against pirates, with a completion time of around 3 to 4 hours. While the narrative lacks depth and originality, it is infused with humor and charm, and many players feel that the engaging gameplay and level design overshadow the story's shortcomings. Overall, the focus on gameplay over narrative is well-received, with players appreciating the fun mechanics and environmental storytelling.

    • “While the main story of the game is fairly short (being able to complete it in around 4 hours), there is replay value in terms of collectibles and time trials.”
    • “The narrative is straightforward: Pepper is on a quest for treasure and revenge against the pirates who wronged her.”
    • “While the story won’t win any awards for originality, it’s peppered (pun intended) with enough humor and charm to keep you invested.”
    • “Pepper Grinder also doesn't have any kind of storytelling or an overarching narrative.”
    • “The story isn't much of note; it's pretty simple.”
    • “Unexplained shop items, incredibly unclear story, tonal whiplash.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability due to its short main story, typically completed in around 4 hours. However, players can find some replay value through collectibles, time attack modes, and speedrunning challenges, which appeal to those looking to improve their performance. Overall, while some players appreciate these elements, others feel the game lacks depth for extended play.

    • “There are 5 hidden coins in each level, as well as a time attack mode, so there's definitely some replayability there to compensate for the short length of the game.”
    • “While the main story of the game is fairly short (being able to complete it in around 4 hours), there is replay value in terms of collectibles and time trials.”
    • “Game length is on the shorter side, but has plenty of replay value if you want to improve the times on your levels and do crazier and crazier strategies.”
    • “I also found very little replayability.”
    • “This should have been a $5 mobile game; it's super short with no upgrades, giving it zero replay value.”
    • “- Sticker machine is like buying scratch-offs; the percentage drops of them are abysmal and there is no replay value to grinding and getting them.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The game is praised for its humor, featuring amusing enemies, charming environments, and creative world-building that enhance the overall experience. While the story may lack originality, it is filled with clever jokes and funny moments that keep players engaged. The combination of whimsical pixel art and entertaining gameplay elements contributes to a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere.

    • “While the story won’t win any awards for originality, it’s peppered (pun intended) with enough humor and charm to keep you invested.”
    • “Those things aside, the game is very funny, and with a beautiful accessibility feature which allows you to decrease the game speed.”
    • “The environments and the characters are really cool, and some of the scenes are really funny; I really did not expect that.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by frequent glitches and bugs, including problematic grapple points and hitbox issues, which detract from the overall experience. While some players find the aesthetic appealing, the jankiness and technical problems lead to significant frustration, making it difficult to fully enjoy the game.

    • “It's simply too janky and buggy to justify the difficulty, causing too much annoyance.”
    • “I frankly couldn't put up with all the issues this game throws at you, such as buggy grapple points, weird hitboxes, and the fact that you basically have no invincibility frames.”
    • “Some other issues I thought were exaggerated were the glitches.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a blend of mellow and atmospheric music, which contrasts with the expected frantic action, creating a unique and immersive experience.

    • “I was expecting a lot of frantic action music, but a good chunk of it is atmospheric and mellow.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is commendable, as it ensures that performance issues do not interfere with the challenging gameplay elements.

    • “Performance never gets in the way of the challenging bits.”
    • “The game runs smoothly even during the most intense moments.”
    • “I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it allows for a seamless experience.”
    • “The game struggles with optimization, leading to frequent frame drops during intense moments.”
    • “I often experience long loading times, which disrupts the flow of gameplay.”
    • “Despite the engaging content, the poor optimization makes it hard to enjoy the experience fully.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy Pepper Grinder

Play time

4hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
4-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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