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If you ’ve been following my reviews for a while , you ’ll be sure of a few thing by now . One , I hate passing long tutorials that interrupt gameplay . Two , I ’m a big fall guy for the roguelike genre ( like Pepper Grinder ) , and three , I believe that Devolver Digital simply can not overleap .
That is n’t to take credit from the developer who make the games Devolver publishes . I ’m just saying that Devolver Digital seems to have a bent for find and publishing the most alone of the bunch . Every Devolver Digital published title I ’ve review in my time with TryHardGuides has , at the very least , stand up out for its singular gameplay mechanics , assumption , and presentment . Even with the titles I was n’t personally topnotch fond of , I could confidently say that anything that carry the Devolver Digital publisher logo was go to be , if nothing else , very unique and interesting .
Pepper Grinder is not an exception .
In this magic little platformer , you play as Pepper , a tiny blue - haired pirate with a ton of mental attitude who encounter herself washed up on a beach and her precious hoarded wealth being stolen by what I can only key out as Narwhal Goblins . Using your grinder , which is a kind of hand - maintain exercise that would impress even the cast of characters of Gurren Lagaan , you address your direction through enemy and terrain alike to get back your gold , gems , and anything else precious and bright that these Narwhaloblins have stolen from you .
Pepper Grinder ’s assumption is short and sweet , and it does n’t need anything longer than a light , negotiation - free cutscene to sell you what ’s bechance . The world of Pepper Grinder is delightfully coloured , interesting , and well-off to soak up yourself in . The large , colorful levels serve well the platforming well , but I was in particular interested in the numerous monster designs . The aforementioned Narwhal enemy and giant ladybugs are particularly interesting addition . There are a lot of bugs in the game in worldwide , really , and by that , I mean insects hoarding your gold and not gameplay - interrupting glitches .
For all the praise I ’ve feed the game ’s presentation , Pepper Grinder ’s most singular feature film is the main gameplay mechanic .
If you have n’t guess , the big focal point of Pepper Grinder is Pepper ’s Grinder — the jumbo hand - held drill she picks up in the possibility cutscene . This drill is your main weapon , make a nigh - irresistible force when taper at enemies , but it also dish up as the game ’s master platforming shaft .
When you spin out your drill , which connect with some piano terrain , namely the countless spell of beach sand locate throughout the island - themed levels , Pepper ’s Grinder will start out to towboat forward at speeds you ca n’t win just on foot . Turning can be slightly negated by turning , but for the most part , your drill will send you rocket off in the direction it ’s face . When it leaves a temporary hookup of sand , it realize an even corking fit of speed , sending you flying into the air , further if you actuate a cost increase just before .
Platforming in Pepper Grinder is all about using the speed from drilling through patches of sand to rise to heights Pepper ca n’t make on her own . sailing is a test of your physics knowledge and your power to control the swaying pull of drilling machinery .
Controlling said drill is far easier with a controller , which the game will warn you about when boot up on Steam for the first time . When the practice session travel in a counseling , it want to stay act in that steering , which can make turning feel like tugging on the reign of a bucking horse . With a controller ’s thumbstick , small , more nuanced bowel movement can prevent you from getting stuck on an sphere because you just ca n’t get the angle right .
Boy , it is hard to carry just how satisfying it is to get the mechanics to ferment for you . Flying from sand pit to sandpaper pit , rapidly scaling up a elephantine paries with nothing more than momentum and a dream is an perfectly exciting little mechanic that gives this game so much life .
Each degree introduces new puzzle machinist and twists older ones to make the platforming all the more interesting . As early as the third stage you ’ll be dealing with trap doorway puzzles and deadly landmines that make you opine twice about how you go drill forward .
The game ’s boss fights are thematically and automatically interesting , challenge your knowledge of the biz ’s mechanics to bring in triumph in fight where the odds are stacked against Pepper . While generally fun and not too intriguing , I spend a LOT of time on the first boss combat because I just could n’t figure out how to dodge the boss ’ projectiles . If I ’m being honest , this is probably a skill emergence .
To top off my series of kudos of Pepper Grinder , I want to say that the secret plan ’s sound figure is excellent . The sound of the drill , Pepper ’s little disappointed grunt when hit , and everything are just so well put together in a way that I struggle to describe . It ’s one of those biz with crispy , satisfying - to - the - ear sound effects , to say nothing about the fantastic scotch that present a fresh soundtrack on every degree .
Pepper Grinder reaffirm my belief in Devolver Digital ’s exceptional eye for unique and engaging indie titles . From its charming premise to its delightful presentation and forward-looking gameplay mechanic , Pepper Grinder get player ’ attention and sustain them engaged throughout . Fans of platformers are sure to get a long ton of enjoyment out of this unique take on the genre , with its fun mechanics and unique presentment as well .
The Final Word
Pepper Grinder doubtlessly shines as another gem in Devolver Digital ’s diverse portfolio , reaffirming their report for deliver standout indie games that captivate and entertain . Pepper Grinder is sure to enchant platformers with its unique mechanics and treasure - collecting resplendency .
Try Hard Guides was provided with a microcomputer review copy of this game . Find more elaborated looks at popular and upcoming title in theGame Reviewssection of our website ! Pepper Grinder is available onSteamandNintendo Switch .
