Swarm Grinder
- April 22, 2024
- Last Bite Games
- 16h median play time
Get on Steam"Swarm Grinder" is a fast-paced, procedurally generated game where you navigate an alien mining system filled with hostile bugs. Your goal is to collect upgrade parts and extract valuable resources while avoiding being overwhelmed by the constantly changing and evolving swarms. With a variety of skills and upgrades to choose from, you can customize your playstyle and build unique synergies to help you survive and thrive.
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Reviews
- The game features a unique mechanic where players must manage fuel consumption while battling enemies, creating a fun risk-reward dynamic.
- The variety of skills and upgrades allows for interesting build combinations, enhancing replayability.
- The art style and soundtrack are well-executed, contributing to an engaging atmosphere.
- Currently, the game lacks content, with only one map and a limited number of characters and upgrades, leading to repetitive gameplay.
- The user interface and menu clarity can be confusing, making it difficult for players to navigate and understand the upgrade systems.
- Performance issues, particularly on lower-end devices like the Steam Deck, can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- gameplay125 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is characterized by a mix of unique mechanics, such as a fuel resource system and a focus on strategic movement, which set it apart from typical survivor games. While many players appreciate the addictive core loop and the engaging upgrade system, criticisms arise regarding the shallow meta progression, unclear mechanics, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game offers a fresh take on the genre, with a satisfying blend of challenge and creativity, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking depth or variety.
“The gameplay is challenging yet addictive, requiring quick reflexes and strategic movement to survive the onslaught.”
“Great survivor style game, with some fun new mechanics.”
“This game brings a fresh perspective to the genre, offering new mechanics and twists on old favorites that make for a truly thrilling gaming experience.”
“Another big issue is the game's severely demanding fuel resource mechanic, which makes the fuel-related skill a requirement, not a choice.”
“Nothing here is bad, but it's incredibly shallow considering how already lazy the survivor genre is in terms of gameplay.”
“The fuel mechanic doesn't add much, and the main conceit of the game (enemies spawning as you approach instead of over time like in similar games) really doesn't do anything besides make it much more cramped and claustrophobic in a genre where maneuvering around enemies is top priority.”
- music50 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, particularly during intense moments like swarms. However, many users noted the soundtrack's repetitiveness due to the limited number of tracks, suggesting a need for more variety to maintain engagement over time. Overall, while the music is considered a standout feature, its lack of diversity could become a drawback in extended play sessions.
“The soundtrack is amazing.”
“Banger music for a game that is fun to play.”
“What really sets Swarm Grinder apart from other rogue-like games is its unique art style and captivating music.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive, but okay.”
“Music style fits the theme but repetitive.”
“Maybe I'm just early, but a little more soundtrack variety would be tight; the current stuff I've heard is still pretty good, just can definitely see it getting a little stale.”
- graphics41 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant art style and smooth performance, particularly on platforms like the Steam Deck. However, some users note issues with stuttering during intense gameplay and a lack of variety in visual elements, leading to repetitiveness. While the aesthetics are generally well-received, there are criticisms regarding the simplicity of the graphics and technical bugs affecting the visual experience.
“With its vibrant visuals and smooth performance, it’s a perfect fit for the Steam Deck, allowing you to enjoy the chaotic action anytime, anywhere.”
“The graphics look polished and I really vibed with the colors.”
“It has a fantastic color palette and art style.”
“The final big issue is that the game heavily stutters when there are a lot of enemies on screen, which for a game with this basic of graphics, seems ridiculous.”
“After 3 runs I will say for how low quality the graphics are... it doesn't take much for the game to start dragging FPS-wise.”
“Graphics are a bit too simple for my taste, but the gameplay is definitely fun; more stressful than most of the games I've played in this genre.”
- optimization32 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 28 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly during late-game scenarios where stuttering and lag spikes occur. Despite some users noting improvements and smooth performance on high-end systems, the overall consensus is that the game requires better optimization to enhance the gameplay experience, especially on lower-end devices. Many reviewers express hope for future updates to address these performance concerns.
“With its vibrant visuals and smooth performance, it’s a perfect fit for the Steam Deck, allowing you to enjoy the chaotic action anytime, anywhere.”
“Optimization seems to have improved and getting a special weapon now feels ... special.”
“Still in early access but hoping they do some performance optimization soon: at times on my RTX 3070 this drops to just under 30fps.”
“I wish it worked better on deck as I feel it's not optimized at all.”
“The game is fun but the performance is really bad.”
“With the current state of the game's performance, I can't recommend it despite loving its ideas.”
- grinding30 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium associated with grinding in the game, with many players finding the progression slow and uninteresting, often feeling like a waste of time. While some appreciate the unique mechanics that shift focus from traditional enemy grinding to objective-based leveling, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the grindy nature of upgrades and achievements, which can feel tedious and unfulfilling. Despite some fun moments, the grinding experience is often described as disrespectful to players' time, with a lack of variety and meaningful rewards.
“Progression is uninteresting, grindy in the worst way and far, far too slow for the minor payoffs.”
“Grindy, not in the stimulating and dopamine-inciting way this genre is reputed for, but in the tedious, tangibly time-wasteful way.”
“To add insult to injury, some of the skills and related achievements are buggy, so you could potentially waste your time grinding for 30 minutes to an hour, only to have a pleasant surprise when you realize it didn't register.”
- story13 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is centered around a repetitive mission structure where players pilot a mech to clear mining zones filled with alien eggs. While the core concept is intriguing, players express frustration over the lack of variety in missions and the limited number of builds, leading to a grind-heavy experience that detracts from the overall narrative engagement. The dynamic between mission objectives and enemy encounters is noted as a positive element, but the overall execution feels monotonous.
“The great tie between mission objective and enemy encounter by popping cells adds a great dynamic to the game I haven't seen before.”
“You keep on grinding through missions with too little variety.”
“In this game, your mission is to pilot a mech through a field of relentlessly respawning alien eggs to clear a total of 25 mining zones.”
“So far, there's only one mission type to choose from: establish 25 mining zones by clearing the area around them.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is seen as a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the roguelike elements and potential for future updates to enhance variety, others find the current selection of characters and skills lacking. Many reviewers note that although there are enough features to provide some replay value, the game feels thin in content, and improvements are needed to fully realize its potential. The early access status leaves room for optimism regarding future enhancements that could significantly boost replayability.
“Rogue-like element makes it very replayable.”
“The game is still in early access for the time being, but honestly there are enough characters, maps, and ascension levels for increased difficulty that there's plenty of replayability and content even without the rest of the game, whatever that may be (likely different game modes and increased permanent upgrade options).”
“Not saying the game is a piece of shit or anything like that, and I get that even little things like art and animations can be time-consuming, but in a genre that relies on replay value, you could do better than three lazy and generic characters.”
“There are a few bots to uncover, a few weapons/abilities, some difficulty scaling, and purchases which can offer permanent enhancements to your bot - but it seems a little thin, like replayability won't be huge.”
“While there's not a huge variety of skills and characters to choose from right now, the potential to diversify the builds and increase the replayability with future updates is incredibly promising.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by several bugs and glitches, including issues with character movement and freezing upon death, which can severely hinder progression. While it remains playable, players have reported frustrating performance issues and unregistered achievements that can lead to wasted time. Overall, the game shows promise but requires significant stability improvements.
“Glitches, honestly not many, but just one that exists ruins the game; your bot gets stuck on walls like they are tarred and magnetized.”
“Looks very promising, but unfortunately when I die, the game more or less freezes, making progression impossible.”
“There are a few glitches and performance issues as of the current patch. It's still playable, but please be aware that this can be very upsetting at certain points in the game.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its cohesive and harmonious design, effectively evoking a sense of swarm warfare through its music and mechanics. Players appreciate the synergy between various gameplay elements, which enhances the overall immersive experience.
“The mechanics, balance, pace, and atmosphere are all consistent and in harmony.”
“It feels cohesive and contributes to the dire atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere and music of the game evoke the sensation of swarm warfare.”
“It feels cohesive and lends to the dire atmosphere.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' frustrations with mechanics that disrupt immersion, such as being slowed down by touching walls, which detracts from the overall experience. This inconsistency in gameplay can lead to feelings of annoyance rather than engagement.
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its cool and funny visuals, with players finding humor in the chaotic gameplay, often leading to humorous outbursts. However, technical issues like framerate drops detract from the overall experience.
“The amount of obscene words I have yelled at my monitor while playing this game is hilarious.”
“Game looks cool and funny, but framerate drop and lags on Alienware i9-11900H, RTX 3080, 32 GB RAM, SSD, on just full HD resolution (!) for this kind of game is beyond understandable.”
