Pepper Grinder: An Inventive and Fun Platformer – Review
Platforming Delight
Pepper Grinder is a creative and exhilarating platformer that will captivate fans of the genre. Developed by indie studio Ahr Ech, this game is a spiritual sequel to the acclaimed Game Boy Advance title, Drill Dozer. With its unique gameplay mechanics and vibrant visuals, Pepper Grinder offers a fresh and enjoyable experience for players.
A Quest for Revenge and Treasure
The game is set in a world of islands plagued by piracy. You assume the role of a brave adventurer named Pepper, who embarks on a mission to retrieve her stolen treasure from a band of mischievous narwhal-like creatures called Narlings. Equipped with a powerful drill device called Grinder, Pepper sets off on a thrilling and vengeful quest through various challenging levels.
A Chaotic Journey
Pepper Grinder is a classic 2D platformer that provides a thrilling and chaotic gameplay experience. Unlike traditional platformers, its focus is not solely on precise jumping skills, but on the exhilarating power of Grinder’s drill. You’ll need razor-sharp reflexes to navigate through the fast-paced levels and react quickly to oncoming obstacles.
Simple and Responsive Controls
The game’s controls are easy to grasp and responsive. With the press of a button, you can spin up the drill and easily maneuver it through the terrain. The physics in Pepper Grinder are tight, resulting in a high-intensity platformer that offers a satisfying level of control.
A Plethora of Level Designs
Pepper Grinder boasts top-notch level design, featuring unique and creative stages. Each level introduces new gameplay elements and challenges, such as barrel blasts reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country or the ability to transform your drill into a minigun. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, striking the perfect balance between exploration and action.
Replay Value and Challenges
To add replay value, Pepper Grinder offers numerous collectibles and additional challenges. Each stage hides five skull coins, which can be used to purchase various items from a shop. You can also unlock hidden levels and try your hand at the demanding time attack mode to achieve gold medals. Pepper Grinder rewards mastery of its mechanics and stage layouts.
Visually Stunning
Visually, Pepper Grinder features a stunning aesthetic inspired by the high-bit art style found in classic games. The vibrant color palettes and explosive animations bring the stages to life. The incorporation of dynamic camera angles and quirky UI elements adds even more charm to the game.
An Eclectic Soundtrack
The game’s soundtrack is a standout feature, featuring an eclectic range of genres such as drum and bass, house, pop, jazz, and funk. The diverse musical offerings enhance the game’s energy and perfectly complement the onscreen action, ensuring an immersive and engaging gaming experience.
A Short but Engaging Adventure
If there’s one criticism to be made, it’s the game’s relatively short length. Pepper Grinder can be completed in around four to six hours, though additional time may be spent on collectibles and achieving gold medals. The game’s exceptional gameplay, however, more than makes up for its brevity.
Minor Technical Glitches
During our review, we encountered some minor technical issues in the build, such as a glitch in the final boss fight. However, the developers have already addressed these concerns and assured us that a patch will be released shortly after launch to provide a smoother experience.
