A few weeks ago, I finished Grindstone. It was a very good puzzle game, and a great one to play on my phone. Capy Games really nailed how to use the limited space and touchscreen controls to produce 200 puzzles (not counting the hundreds of extras). I was also surprised at how well Kaitlin Tremblay, Capy’s narrative designer, managed to get some plot into the game with a very light touch. There’s some jokey text written about each character and monster that you encounter, but a lot of the story is illustrated through the art design and progression between areas.
Most screens in Grindstone are occupied by Jorj, the miner-slash-barbarian with a big ol’ sword and silly hats made by his son. Play well, and he roars and snarls through rows of colorful creeps. The combination of cuteness and carnage reminded me of one of my favorites from Capy’s catalog, Critter Crunch. But Grindstone isn’t just about the cartoon splatterfest – it’s also about Jorj, as a family man, clocking in and out to earn a vacation to sunnier climes. Good for him.
I haven’t had the kind of job where I punch in for a long time. Teaching and administrating has a different kind of employment status. Nonetheless, I can feel where Jorj is coming from. He has motivation to saw through all those creeps. It’s a good additional layer to what could otherwise be a simply satisfying and engaging puzzle game.
**Talk Amongst Yourselves!**
- Played Grindstone any other good puzzle games, lately?
- How do you like your stories in games? Do you want designers to lay it all out for you, or do you prefer that things are left a little more implicit?
- How’s Tuesday?
Get involved!
Comments
I don’t have a preference with stories as long as they are good!
Tuesdays been okay, started moving to a new place. So I am tired. How was your Tuesday?