GrimValor

Genre: Metroidvania

Players: 1

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Review:

GrimValor is a Metroidvania originally released on mobile devices in 2018 and ported to Nintendo Switch in 2020. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention how clearly this game was inspired by the Dark Souls franchise, with a comparable aesthetic, mood, and combat that punishes you heavily when you make a mistake.

The presentation here is good, with players exploring 2D levels rendered in 3D, with plenty of dark, crumbling architecture, dark demonic forces, and dour scenery to let you know that yes, its creators definitely like Dark Souls. While the game doesn’t really impress on a technical front, it isn’t a bad-looking game either, and its visuals do a great job of backing up the gameplay. Those visuals are accompanied by a moody choral soundtrack that fits the game’s themes very well.

In terms of gameplay, do not go into this game expecting the deep exploration of a great Metroidvania – exploration is here, certainly, but what this game’s focus is really on is its combat and RPG mechanics. Players start out with just a weak and strong attack, a double-jump, and a dodge, but with these simple foundations, the game makes for some really compelling combat. Players are usually outnumbered by enemies and must always be on watch for the telltale flash indicating they need to dodge an impending attack, and must also be aware of their surroundings so as not to find themselves dodging right into an undodgeable attack. In between these dodges, players will be wailing away at enemies, with each connect making a satisfying crunch that really sells the feeling of tearing through the horde of enemies with a feeling of immense power. The game also regularly mixes things up by having an extra-powerful enemy appear to “hunt” the player, essentially an elite battle with a more dangerous foe with greater rewards for success. It’s a nice extra touch that does a great job selling the dangerous atmosphere of the game’s locales.

Players also regularly upgrade their abilities and equipment, scrounging the latter from their explorations or crafting it at one of the game’s forges, and gaining the latter through “souls” gained from defeated enemies. With these, players have a good deal of freedom to build their character in the general direction of the playstyle that best suits them.

It’s not just combat that’s satisfying in this game, but movement as well, with your character able to chain dashes, double-jumps, wall-runs, and wall-jumps into a fantastic acrobatic display. It’s just a shame the game doesn’t take its Metroidvania elements farther to make better use of this, but there are at least regular secrets to be found by those using their acrobatics to explore every nook and cranny.

GrimValor may miss an opportunity in not fully exploring its Metroidvania side, and it doesn’t really do anything that breaks new ground, but that’s okay – combat and traversal in this game is enjoyable enough that it’s a blast just storming through the game’s dilapidated locales and smashing through its enemies. If a game with a Dark Souls-y aesthetic and some great fast-paced combat in a 2D Metroidvania-style Platformer sounds like something you’d enjoy, GrimValor will not disappoint.

tl;dr – GrimValor is a Metroidvania with an atmosphere ripped straight out of Dark Souls, but more than anything, this is a game that delights with its satisfying, fast-paced combat and solid RPG elements. Don’t go into this expecting the deep exploration of some of the best Metroidvania games, but if you’re looking for a nonlinear game with some great action and solid platforming, GrimValor is an excellent choice.

Grade: B+

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