Publisher Akupara Games and developer Clover Bites have just announced their upcoming side-scrolling and “Souls-like Metroidvania” game GRIME, which is set to be released for PC via Steam and “other platforms to be announced at a later date” in 2021.
Describing itself as a fast and unforgiving action adventure RPG, GRIME puts players in the role of an unknown creature that came to existence when an unusual material collapsed into itself. With the world in front of it unknown, and facing everything else without a hint of familiarity, players must then guide this unnamed protagonist to survive the terrors that it may face. Players can explore their surreal surroundings, absorb the dangerous creatures they encounter, and finally, adapt and use their own traits against these threats. In GRIME, players can “play to your preference, upgrading only those traits you feel most suited to your unique style”.
The GRIME Gamescom 2020 announcement also saw the unveiling of its 110 second trailer that showcases snippets of GRIME’s gameplay, with combat mechanics, environments, and boss fights to be seen. First off, GRIME is a 2D scroller with 3D graphics that looks unique compared to its genre colleagues. The art style has a certain look and feel to it that I can’t quite put my finger on, but it does look very good and seems appropriate for the theme of the game (which I'll get to in a bit). The world design is made up of bleak scenery such as torn-down civilizations, dank and damp caves, and gray and desolate deserts.
As for the combat and theme of GRIME, the player character has been born out of unknown material that collapsed onto itself, and can absorb enemies and shapeshift weapons freely. Depending on the occasion, players can use whips, swords, and more. It kind of reminds me of Prototype in a way, with with Prototype's Mercer shapeshifting his arms into hammerfists, bladed whips, greatswords, or slashing claws.
GRIME is set to launch for the PC via Steam in 2021. Other platforms may also receive news of impending release windows for the self-dubbed “Souls-like Metroidvania” sometime in the near future.
