Secrets of Grindea
- July 12, 2015
- Pixel Ferrets
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"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
Reviews
- Charming pixel art and animations that evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs.
- Engaging combat system with a variety of skills and character builds, allowing for customization.
- Fun multiplayer experience that enhances gameplay, especially during challenging boss fights.
- Game has been in early access for several years with slow updates, leading to concerns about completion.
- Some bosses and puzzles can feel frustratingly difficult, especially without a co-op partner.
- Limited content currently available, with the main story feeling incomplete and abruptly ending.
- story2,784 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Secrets of Grindea" is generally well-received, characterized by its charming characters, humor, and engaging plot that evolves as players progress. While many players appreciate the lighthearted and nostalgic tone reminiscent of classic RPGs, there are significant concerns regarding the story's incomplete state due to its long time in early access, with some feeling that the pacing and depth could be improved. Overall, the narrative offers a fun experience, but players are eager for more content and resolution to the ongoing storylines.
“The story is engaging, the characters are interesting, and the humor is everywhere (I can't tell you how many times I broke into laughter at a random easter egg reference and/or the antics happening in the game).”
“The story is surprisingly deep and interesting, the humor is on point and the gameplay is truly enjoyable.”
“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.”
“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?”
“I wish I could recommend this game, but after 10+ years waiting for a 'polishing to final release' crap that devs always shout to finish the story, I just can't.”
“The game has been in early access since 2015 and the main story -still- isn't finished.”
- gameplay1,043 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Secrets of Grindea" is widely praised for its blend of classic RPG elements with modern mechanics, offering a polished and engaging experience that includes a variety of combat styles, skill trees, and cooperative multiplayer options. Players appreciate the nostalgic pixel art and the depth of customization available, although some note that the game can be grindy, particularly with its card collection mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is described as fun, challenging, and rewarding, making it a strong recommendation for fans of the genre, despite being in early access with ongoing updates.
“This game is very fun, the story is good, the gameplay is great, everything is polished to a shine, and the arcade is the cherry on top that adds a lot of replayability while not feeling dragged out in any way.”
“The gameplay loop during the main story is engaging, and it's bolstered by the perfect amount of side content: enough to make the world feel full while not distracting from your main objectives.”
“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 fact that it takes 3 months just for another hour of gameplay for a game like this that already offers very little depth is exactly why I stopped playing. It's fun, but 20 hours in you realize you have to wait months for another hour to play.”
“I don't personally care for the story much, and the gameplay is extremely repetitive (go into field, whack the mobs, repeat).”
“The requirements for the true ending are kinda tough, the card farming mechanic wastes a lot of time because of how the RNG works.”
- grinding827 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Secrets of Grindea" is a central feature that players find both engaging and rewarding, with many praising its fun mechanics and the satisfaction derived from collecting monster cards and items. While some players note that grinding can become tedious, especially for rare drops, the game's design encourages a steady and enjoyable experience, making it less monotonous than in other RPGs. Overall, the game successfully balances grinding with entertaining gameplay, humor, and a charming aesthetic, appealing particularly to those who enjoy completionist challenges.
“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 profit from it.”
“I recommend this to anyone looking into the JRPG genre, as there is little to no grinding involved.”
“You can easily get through the entire main story with no grinding at all, only to then reach the ending and have nothing left to do but fill out a checklist of missing items, which ended up accounting for at least a third of my playtime here.”
“To be frank, I had no interest in grinding 'cause I thought it'd be as mindless as grinding is in other games.”
“The game's leveling system can be a bit grindy, and the game's world is not as open as other RPGs.”
“I spent a good 10+ hours farming for various cards in the game, they are used to get passive boosts.”
- graphics554 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Secrets of Grindea" are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia reminiscent of classic SNES games. Reviewers highlight the vibrant colors, smooth animations, and overall aesthetic appeal, making it visually engaging despite some noting that the character art could be improved. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's enjoyable atmosphere and immersive experience.
“The graphics are beautiful, the combat is fun, and the puzzles are reasonable.”
“I've always been a fan of pixel-style ARPGs, and this nails the aesthetic.”
“The graphics, while technically simple (as with many other pixel RPGs), are artistically beautiful, with lots of cool effects, animations, artwork, and entire biomes that feel alive.”
“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?”
“While the artwork of the game is a little lacking, at the same time the NPC art designs in the game are not always the same.”
“Sometimes the graphics make it hard to distinguish what is background art and what are movable or collectible items, especially when first starting, but it doesn't take long to become used to it.”
- humor420 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, featuring a mix of witty dialogue, silly character interactions, and playful references to RPG tropes and internet culture. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone and the ability to evoke genuine laughter, with many noting that the humor enhances the overall experience without overshadowing the gameplay. While some find the humor occasionally falls flat, the majority agree that it adds significant enjoyment to the engaging story and character dynamics.
“It's got witty, on-the-nose, poke-fun-at-the-genre humor, very polished sprite work & animations, bosses that strike that perfect balance of super difficult but so satisfying to beat, a story that's interesting, excellent character 'class' customization, and—once I figured it out—the most satisfying RPG grinding experience I've ever encountered!”
“The writing is pretty funny -- I think both adults and kids will find it enjoyable.”
“The story is engaging, the characters are interesting, and the humor is everywhere (I can't tell you how many times I broke into laughter at a random easter egg reference and/or the antics happening in the game)”
- music414 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in "Secrets of Grindea" has received widespread acclaim for its catchy, nostalgic soundtrack that complements the game's vibrant pixel art and engaging gameplay. Many players appreciate the upbeat and immersive quality of the music, which enhances the overall experience, although some note that certain tracks can become repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, evoking fond memories of classic RPGs while maintaining its own unique charm.
“The beautiful pixel-art and surprisingly stellar soundtrack are the cherries on top.”
“The music is absolutely fantastic and, just like the rest of the game, is extremely charming.”
“The soundtrack blends with every in-game event which makes it even more fun to play.”
“From exploration, imbalanced combat, shallow characters (except bag), incredibly easy battles (excluding the final boss that is a billion times harder), boring music and overall isn't fun from start to finish.”
“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.”
“The only thing I didn't enjoy so much was the soundtrack.”
- replayability158 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game boasts significant replayability, primarily due to its engaging arcade mode and diverse character builds, allowing players to experiment with various combat styles and strategies. While the story mode offers limited replay value due to its linearity, the addition of roguelike elements and a variety of gameplay options in arcade mode enhances the overall experience, making it appealing for players seeking ongoing challenges. Overall, many users find the game highly replayable, with some even reporting hundreds of hours of playtime.
“The arcade mode adds great replayability to the game by adding a roguelike element in randomly generated areas and starting from the beginning if you die, great for those looking for a challenge and wanting more of the game.”
“On top of the main storyline, which easily justifies buying the game on its own, there is the infinitely replayable roguelike mode, which is very fun and presents a great case of taking the same builds, items, and mechanics, but through different environmental rules, requiring the player to come up with completely different tactics to stay alive and progress.”
“This game has a lot going for it; it's got replayability with its multiple skills for melee such as one-handed or two-handed playstyles and for magic users since there are four elements to play with.”
“They've added a roguelike mode though, likely in some desperate attempt to add replay value since what's here can be completed in a few sittings.”
“The story alone isn't that long sadly and doesn't offer that much replayability in my eyes.”
“There is not a lot of replayability on the story since it's the same quests over and over again.”
- stability34 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 76 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report it as polished with minimal game-breaking glitches and a responsive experience, some have encountered occasional freezes and minor bugs, particularly in multiplayer mode. The developers are actively addressing issues, and players appreciate the option to choose between a stable or a more experimental version of the game. Despite some clunkiness at lower frame rates and a few funny glitches, the consensus leans towards a generally stable experience for an early access title.
“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.”
“Stable is obviously bug free and frontline lets you go farther but with bugs, so you can play how you choose your style.”
“Running the game at 50 fps feels clunky, and occasionally the game freezes up.”
“Amazing game, but one problem; when joining a friend in the middle of a boss fight, the entire game glitches out.”
“We attempted to play again after waiting around for an extended release and the game is very buggy.”
- emotional34 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game elicits a strong emotional response from players, with many expressing that the story made them cry and evoked feelings they hadn't experienced in a long time. The character development and narrative arcs are praised for their depth, creating a personal connection that enhances gameplay, even during challenging moments. While some emotional scenes may not resonate as strongly due to limited character engagement, the overall sentiment is that the game promises an emotional rollercoaster upon its completion.
“The story made me cry.”
“I love the gameplay loop of this game; the card system is great, the mechanics of dungeons serve roles outside their dungeon, the characters all feel so creative and fun to be around. The settings and story honestly made me feel so many emotions I hadn't felt while playing a game in a long time.”
“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.”
- atmosphere31 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and charming qualities, featuring distinct zones that evoke different moods and a delightful soundtrack that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the lighthearted dialogue, humor in side quests, and nostalgic elements that contribute to a vibrant and engaging world. Overall, the atmosphere is described as colorful, consistent, and perfectly aligned with the game's story, making it a standout aspect of the gameplay.
“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 fit perfectly to the story and provide an amazing element of nostalgia.”
“Gameplay is immaculate, the atmosphere is amazing, and the arcade mode, especially with friends, is the most fun I've had in a long time.”
“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.”
“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.”
“The myriad of various game references throughout keeps the atmosphere fresh.”
- character development16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Character development in "Secrets of Grindea" is highly praised for its depth and charm, featuring engaging side quests, witty humor, and appealing character designs that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the free character development system and the well-integrated gameplay mechanics, although some express a desire for improvements in music and certain character designs. Overall, the game successfully combines a rich narrative with enjoyable character progression, making it a standout in the RPG genre.
“But, Secrets of Grindea differs; not only does it have an amazing story, even though it's in early access, the little details like the side quests, the cute character design, and the references made put this game wholesomely together.”
“This game has everything you'd ever want in an RPG: side quests, leveling, and character development, witty and fun humor in the story, and it can be very challenging at times.”
“If the adorable graphics and soundtrack aren't enough, it features free character development and clear and intriguing combat.”
“I had no problems so far, but the music could be better and some of the character designs could also be better.”
“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 with a total of 500 kills, and even with a potion enhancing card drop that increases the drop rate by 36%, I still didn't get the card.”
“Character development is top-notch.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 82 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its polished gameplay, smooth controls, and well-crafted levels, resulting in a fun and engaging experience. However, some players have reported occasional stuttering issues that disrupt the flow of gameplay. Despite this, the game has been refined over many years, contributing to its overall quality.
“Right now, the game's story will take you around 20-30 hours to go through, and it's not just a well-written adventure: 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.”
“The game runs smoothly and has a bunch of cute monsters that roam freely outside of towns, as well as an easy system for fighting, equipping weapons, and using different combos with quick slots.”
“My only complaint is that for some odd reason I have frequent stuttering issues; the game completely locks up for 3-5 seconds every minute or so.”
“I don't know why I have this stuttering.”
- monetization11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 64 % negative mentions
Reviews on monetization highlight a mix of perceptions, with some players labeling the game as a "cash grab" despite its long development and early access status. However, many appreciate the straightforward pricing model, which includes a one-time purchase and optional DLC, emphasizing a lack of microtransactions and a more genuine gaming experience. Overall, while concerns about monetization exist, a significant portion of players find the approach refreshing and fair.
“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.”
“I see reviews of 'dead game' and 'cash grab', and get discouraged.”
“Another cash grab of a game that's had years of development which potentially could have been a 'banger'.”
“Almost feels like a cash grab for a $15 early access.”
