Grindstone, which was very well received when it launched on the Switch, has finally been ported over to new systems – including PlayStation. It’s an extremely well-crafted and addictive puzzle game developed by CAPY, the award-winning team behind titles such as Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP and BELOW. It combines color-matching gameplay with monster-slaying action to create a challenging and engaging experience that will keep you coming back for more.
At its core, Grindstone is all about slashing your way through hordes of Creeps – vicious monsters that lurk on Grindstone Mountain. By matching the colors of the Creeps you’re attacking, you can create long chains of attacks that not only wipe out multiple enemies in a single blow, but also charge up your special abilities. With over 250 levels to complete, the game presents a wide variety of challenges and hazards that require careful planning and strategy to overcome.
But Grindstone is more than just a color-matching game. As you progress through the levels, you’ll also discover long-lost blueprints that allow you to craft powerful new gear and weapons, giving you even more ways to take down the Creeps. And if you’re up for a real challenge, there’s a boss-rush mode that pits you against a series of increasingly difficult foes.
Grindstone is also full of surprises that elevate it above similar titles. You can visit a creepy carnival and try your luck at the wheel of fortune, or compete against others on the leaderboards in three daily modes. And throughout your adventure, you’ll be accompanied by the game’s excellent original soundtrack by Sam Webster.
Grindstone’s visual design oozes indie charm as well. The game features a colorful and cartoonish art style that is both charming and gruesome at the same time. The Creeps are rendered in gory detail, but they’re also oddly adorable, making it all the more satisfying when you take them down. The various locations you visit on Grindstone Mountain are also beautifully designed, each with its own distinct look and feel.
One minor issue with Grindstone is that the game can feel a bit repetitive at times. While the core gameplay mechanics are solid and satisfying, there’s not a lot of variety in the types of enemies you face or the puzzles you solve. This can make the later levels feel a bit stale, especially if you’ve been playing for a while – so our advice would be to mix things up a bit with Grindstone’s various gameplay modes.
Overall, Grindstone is a fantastic game that is well worth your time and money. With its engaging gameplay, beautiful visuals, and catchy soundtrack, it’s a game that will keep you coming back for more. While it can feel a bit repetitive at times if you play for a long time, this is a minor flaw more than outweighed by the game’s many strengths. If you’re looking for a fun and addictive puzzle game that will keep you entertained for hours on end, Grindstone is definitely worth adding to your PlayStation library.
Score: 8.5/10
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