Hack’n’slash indie puzzle recreation Grindstone has seen its greatest free replace thus far this 12 months with the discharge of the faintly Lovecraftian new Cosmic Darkside state of affairs. The replace provides contemporary enemies, a cosmic-horror-themed map, and remixes a few of Grindstone’s early ranges. Watch the trailer beneath and take a look at to not change into contaminated by otherworldly monstrosities.
Cosmic Darkside is successfully a New Sport Plus mode for Grindstone’s already jam-packed marketing campaign. The cosmic horror state of affairs remixes the primary 60 ranges of Grindstone, accessible after you full the primary 200 ranges of the unique recreation. There’s two contemporary enemies to tackle – cosmic jerk and cosmic creep – and a mechanic referred to as an infection that causes enemies to finally explode and infect others.
Even grindstones themselves will be contaminated, creating cosmic grindstones that explode and keep on spreading the an infection round every degree’s board in the event that they’re left for too lengthy. The replace additionally provides an additional gear set and blueprints, together with a brand new crafting useful resource referred to as Osmium. Barbarians Jorj and Jorja will be contaminated, however this creates a heart-shaped piece of Osmium close by that, if collected, grants you your misplaced well being again.
When Grindstone left Epic exclusivity to reach on Steam in June, I described its chunky sword-swinging, monster-slaying puzzle motion as “combat-Hygge”. I nonetheless stand by that unorthodox description, as a result of every degree within the recreation manages to generate a bizarre mixture of cutesiness, peril and sufficient satisfying tactical pondering to make your mind launch simply the correct amount of smugness hormones.
Katharine couldn’t cease taking part in Grindstone when it got here to PC final 12 months both. “New enemy varieties are launched with pleasing regularity, the layouts of every grid are continually being switched up and remixed, introducing new hazards, obstacles and extra to maintain you in your toes, and the mixture of higher-level foes modifications on a regular basis as properly,” she stated. “There’s by no means a boring second in Grindstone, and each degree seems like its personal meaty, chunky problem.”
Grindstone is accessible on Steam and the Epic Video games Retailer for £16/$19/€17. There’s a demo to strive too.