Secrets of Grindea

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,199 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • grinding
Secrets of Grindea Game Cover
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"Secrets of Grindea" is a 2D hack and slash action RPG that allows players to explore a vast world, battling monsters and collecting loot. The game features a unique combat system, cooperative multiplayer, and a flexible class system that lets players mix and match abilities. The story follows a young adventurer seeking to uncover the secrets of the magical land of Grindea.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,199 reviews
story592 positive mentions
grinding542 negative mentions
  • Amazing and highly recommended with complete freedom in player builds and addictive gameplay loops.
  • Engaging story with hilarious moments and memorable characters.
  • Fun combat mechanics with a variety of melee, ranged, and magic abilities.
  • The game requires excessive grinding for cards and items, which can become tedious.
  • Some boss fights and puzzles can feel frustratingly difficult and unbalanced.
  • The game has been in early access for an extended period, leading to concerns about its completion.
  • story1,756 mentions

    The story of "Secrets of Grindea" is described as engaging and humorous, with a lighthearted tone that often parodies classic RPG tropes. Players appreciate the memorable characters and witty dialogue, although some find the overall plot to be somewhat basic and predictable. While the game is still in early access and the story is not fully completed, many reviewers express excitement for future updates and additional content, noting that the current story mode offers a satisfying experience with plenty of side quests and opportunities for character development.

    • “The story is charming, the boss fights are thrilling and challenging, and the game nails the 'collector's adventure' vibe perfectly.”
    • “The story is surprisingly engaging, progression is rewarding and it has a great sense of humor and charm.”
    • “The story is well-written, it's genuinely funny, and it has everything to make you feel like you're playing a classic RPG on the SNES.”
    • “The story and its characters didn’t interest me at all and I skipped it about ⅓ of the way through.”
    • “The game's actual story finale got put on hold for years while the devs kept putting out little tweaks to this garbage mode.”
    • “The story is lacking for an older mature gamer, but 'fine enough'.”
  • gameplay669 mentions

    The gameplay of "Secrets of Grindea" is widely praised for its nostalgic old-school top-down pixel art style, engaging combat mechanics, and a variety of RPG elements that allow for extensive character customization. Players appreciate the balance of challenge and fun, with many noting the addictive nature of the arcade mode and the depth of boss mechanics. However, some critiques mention the grindy aspects of gameplay and the need for improvements in certain mechanics, such as blocking and enemy interactions, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is fun and never underwhelming, constantly introducing new features.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fantastic, the exploration is phenomenal, I'm going to recommend this game for now.”
    • “The gameplay is solid and reminds me very much of Secret of Mana and some old school Zelda games, but with more freedom, which is obviously what they were going for.”
    • “The gameplay isn't groundbreaking or innovative in any way, shape, or form, but it is the most polished Zelda/Secret of Mana-style RPG combat I have ever seen.”
    • “The dash attack does not work due to the crooked mechanics of the shield and movement.”
    • “The difficulty is well beyond anything that came before it, which is not great from a balance perspective, but the real issue is that the specific mechanics of the fight seem designed to punish players who have crafted their own build and enjoyed progressing through harder and harder fights with it.”
  • grinding546 mentions

    The aspect of "grinding" in *Secrets of Grindea* is a central feature, as suggested by the game's title. Players who enjoy grinding find it rewarding and engaging, with many noting that the combat and card collection mechanics make the experience enjoyable rather than tedious. However, some players feel that the grinding can become excessive, particularly for completionists aiming for 100% collection, and may detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, while grinding is integral to the gameplay, it is often described as optional and can be approached at the player's discretion.

    • “It is not that grindy actually, it's an ace action puzzle RPG.”
    • “Contrary to what the title suggests, the game is not too grindy at all. Yet, if you really want to go for 100% completion, there's a challenge waiting for you, and your character will greatly benefit from it.”
    • “I recommend this to anyone looking into the JRPG genre, as there is little to no grinding involved.”
    • “Grinding for cards for 2 hours and didn't even notice.”
    • “The grinding can feel a little tedious at times.”
    • “Grinding for the true ending (specific drops, lots of them) is not that interesting.”
  • graphics368 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their charming pixel art style, vibrant colors, and detailed animations that evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs. Many reviewers highlight the game's beautiful visuals and smooth animations, which enhance the overall gameplay experience, while some note minor inconsistencies in character artwork. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and immersive atmosphere.

    • “The art style is cartoonish yet beautiful, and the animations and music are enchanting.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and the core gameplay feels so smooth.”
    • “The graphics are charming, vibrant, and unique to the game, reminiscent of Earthbound graphics for the Super Nintendo.”
    • “The graphics are ok; they look cute enough but are simple.”
    • “So if the combat is bad, the story is nothing to write home about, the graphics and sound design are lacking, why did I put almost 50 hours into this?”
    • “Sometimes the graphics make it hard to distinguish what is background art and what is movable or collectible items, especially when first starting, but it doesn't take long to become used to it.”
  • music269 mentions

    The music in the game has received a generally positive reception, with many players praising its charm, fitting ambiance, and nostalgic qualities reminiscent of classic RPGs. While some noted that certain tracks can be repetitive or not particularly memorable, the overall soundtrack is described as enjoyable and well-composed, enhancing the gaming experience. Additionally, the sound effects are often highlighted as effective and complementary to the gameplay.

    • “The music is fantastic and the graphics are fun and colorful!”
    • “The soundtrack is catchy and well-fitting to the game at any times.”
    • “The music is absolutely fantastic and, just like the rest of the game, is extremely charming.”
    • “The music is also serene and arcade-y.”
    • “The only thing I didn't enjoy so much was the soundtrack.”
    • “Great game overall, you can see the devs really put love into it, the only downside is the music, I wish it was better and more unique; it's low effort in some parts of the game, where they do just 1 song on the loop and it gets annoying.”
  • humor267 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising its clever writing, memorable characters, and engaging dialogue that often elicits genuine laughter. While some find the humor charming and well-integrated into the gameplay, others criticize it as forced or overly reliant on clichés and memes. Overall, the game successfully balances lighthearted moments with a captivating story, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate quirky and self-referential humor.

    • “The humor is on point, the game itself is clever and engaging.”
    • “The writing is campy but quite funny in some spots, characters are memorable if a bit generic, the music is pleasant and fitting, the boss battles are very tough but (mostly) fair, and the grinding for items and cards is quite satisfying.”
    • “The story is surprisingly engaging, progression is rewarding and it has a great sense of humor and charm.”
    • “It feels like the devs are standing over my shoulder with a knife to my throat, whispering 'please laugh' desperately as they constantly babble a flood of unfunny jokes, unoriginal references, and regurgitated memes.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat, relying on tired clichés and predictable punchlines that fail to elicit even a chuckle.”
    • “Instead of clever writing, the game resorts to juvenile jokes that feel forced and out of place, making the experience more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
  • replayability98 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its multiplayer options, varying difficulty levels, and diverse playstyles, particularly highlighted by the engaging arcade mode that offers a roguelike experience. Players appreciate the ability to experiment with different builds and strategies, which enhances the overall replay value. While the story mode may feel limited in replayability, the arcade mode significantly compensates for this, providing endless challenges and enjoyment.

    • “The addition of arcade mode offers an absolutely enormous potential for replayability with a full roguelite experience.”
    • “The arcade mode adds great replayability to the game by introducing a roguelike element in randomly generated areas, making it perfect for those looking for a challenge.”
    • “The game has great replay value, especially when you go on to a harder difficulty or try out a new build!”
    • “The story alone isn't that long sadly and doesn't offer that much replayability in my eyes.”
    • “It felt like it was made for the purpose of enticing people to pay more money than what the minimal amount of content is worth; it looks appealing to the eyes, but has no replayability and runs out of content incredibly quickly.”
    • “There is not a lot of replayability on the story since it's the same quests over and over again.”
  • stability30 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting various glitches, particularly in multiplayer mode, which can disrupt gameplay. While some users experienced minor bugs that were easily resolved, others encountered more significant issues that affected their enjoyment. Overall, the game is still in early access, and while it shows promise, it requires further polishing to address the reported stability concerns.

    • “The blog updates weekly, and honestly I'd rather this slow launch for an almost bug-free game than some of the other early access games that rush to release a game so riddled with holes that they put Swiss cheese to shame.”
    • “This game is extremely responsive, 99% bug-free, and runs like a champ.”
    • “While the whole game isn't available yet bug-free, thankfully they have given us the option to play stable or frontline.”
    • “But while some of these glitches are funny and relatively harmless, others were very frustrating and greatly interfered with my ability to enjoy the game.”
    • “While playing through with my friend we encountered multiple glitches that made the game unplayable or forced us to close it in order to get out of a never-ending loop of glitches.”
    • “We attempted to play again after waiting around for an extended release and the game is very buggy.”
  • emotional28 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has garnered mixed yet generally positive feedback, with many players expressing surprise at the depth of the story and its ability to evoke genuine feelings, including tears. While some moments resonate deeply, others may feel less impactful due to limited character engagement. Overall, the combination of heartfelt storytelling, engaging visuals, and a compelling soundtrack contributes to an emotional rollercoaster experience that leaves players feeling accomplished and connected to the narrative.

    • “The story made me cry.”
    • “The story, soundtrack, and art style are extremely heartwarming, and it's notable how every new area, enemy, and boss fight is made with palpable love.”
    • “As you progress through the game, however, the storytelling takes these same motifs and shows them to you in a more personal and emotional way.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming and immersive qualities, enhanced by lighthearted dialogue, a delightful soundtrack, and vibrant visuals. Players appreciate the distinct moods of different zones, the nostalgic music that complements the story, and the overall fun and engaging environment that makes for an enjoyable multiplayer experience. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay grind, the game's unique atmosphere and attention to detail create a memorable adventure.

    • “A really lovely and immersive atmosphere with different zones that have an entirely different mood and feel to every single one!”
    • “The atmosphere and music of the game fits perfectly to the story and provides an amazing element of nostalgia.”
    • “A decade later, I finally got to play it, and while I enjoyed the story, the overall gameplay and atmosphere, I didn't like the grind so much.”
    • “Admittedly, I haven't really taken the time to read much of the chat boxes, but that's the impression I get from some of the bosses and atmosphere.”
    • “Very colorful, and the atmosphere is top-notch.”
  • character development11 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and charm, featuring intricate growth systems and engaging side quests that enhance the overall experience. The character design and dialogue are tailored for a younger audience, while still appealing to older players with witty humor and a captivating story. Overall, the game offers a rich RPG experience with limitless character development options and a well-structured narrative.

    • “This game has everything you'd ever want in an RPG: side quests, leveling and character development, witty/fun humor in the story, and it can be very challenging at times.”
    • “Great game, controls are tight, character development options are limitless.”
    • “Overall the game is good from the music, gameplay mechanics, story, character design, and variety of items and weapons that you can get, but with the abysmal drop rate of monster cards. I've been grinding for a single card for 2 hours and with a total of 500 kills together with potion enhancing card drop that increases the card drop by 36%, and I still didn't get the card.”
    • “I had no problems so far, but the music could be better and some of the character designs could also be better.”
    • “It has an enjoyable gameplay system, with a fair degree of intricacy regarding character development and growth.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its strong optimization, with smooth performance and minimal bugs reported. Players noted that online co-op functions well without latency issues, and the gameplay has been refined over the years, making it enjoyable and responsive. While there are occasional lag issues, the game generally runs smoothly, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The online co-op is very well optimized and playing with people in other countries does not add latency issues.”
    • “Every chapter has new art, hand-crafted levels, enemies, gameplay mechanics, puzzles, etc. The gameplay is polished and fun; it has been tweaked and optimized over many years.”
    • “The controls respond as expected and the game runs smoothly.”
    • “So much hardcore stuff, it seems this game was optimized for speedrunners.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization model of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the one-time purchase structure and the optional "buy us a coffee" DLC, which is seen as transparent and non-exploitative. Despite some concerns about the game's long early access period, it is largely considered free from the typical pitfalls of microtransactions and cash grabs often found in indie games.

    • “Sure, it's been in early access a long time, but there's no cash grab here—just a one-time purchase and a 'Buy Us a Coffee' DLC that is exactly what it says it is.”
    • “It feels like an MMORPG without microtransactions and toxic people.”
    • “Sure it's been in early access a long time, but there's no cash grab here, just a one-time purchase and a 'buy us a coffee' DLC that is exactly what it says it is.”
    • “Almost feels like a cash grab for a $15 early access.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

12hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
5-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 50 analyzed playthroughs

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