among UFO 50Many games from fictional developers of the 1980s is GrimstoneA JRPG that has the same aesthetics and mechanics as the original. Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest But that also sets itself apart in some important ways. It avoids the fantasy setting that dominates the genre. (and sci-fi too I never forget you Fantasy Star) for its own distinctive world. A world with archetypes and imagery rooted in the West. But there are elements close to horror as well. Sure, there are monsters and demons running rampant in this world. But there is also the fact that the world’s currency is teeth. This is a detail that continually shocked me throughout my roughly 15 hours with the game.
I’ve seen people complain about this. Grimstone They feel It’s “poorly designed” because it doesn’t tell you how things are. What have you been able to do all along? I think that’s a valid argument. But that’s part of what I love about it. Grimstone—and really about UFO 50 Overall—it’s a method I was encouraged to experiment with. Overcoming the limitations of the game and see what the rules of their different worlds are. It’s a type of discovery that was once commonplace in games. I think many people my age Know the feeling of encountering an obscure game on a relative’s computer. Or left alone with Grandpa’s wits? But that is becoming increasingly rare. The game creates detailed instructions for the game instead of expecting you to provide a manual. That sense of progress and discovery was also uncharacteristic of my time. Grimstone—Finding each new city where I could relax in a hotel was a huge relief. Conquering each new dungeon is always exciting. Getting cool new weapons and spells is always a great reward for my hard work, and while GrimstoneThe game’s narrative is pretty simple by today’s standards. Discovering the truth about its world is exciting. Especially because the world is really different from the worlds of the 80’s JRPGs I’ve played. It’s no different from my time. Final Fantasy IThe pixel remaster from a few years ago is currently playing. Grimstone It’s a great reminder of what it takes to distill a game like this down to its basic essence. and gives our imagination enough detail to do most of the work of bringing the world to life. Still, it’s a wonderfully engaging approach to role-playing games. — Carolyn Petit
