Grindstone

 Switch
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 4 out of 22

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  1. bl1rt
    May 22, 2021
    6
    The game is pretty addictive, and the visual presentation is really nice. However, if you can get it on mobile, you probably are better off playing it there.

    At its core, the game is a mini-game without much depth, similar to candy crush or minesweeper. A lot of effort has been put into making it seem like it is more, but most of it does not work. There is a ton of gear, and almost all    The game is pretty addictive, and the visual presentation is really nice. However, if you can get it on mobile, you probably are better off playing it there.

    At its core, the game is a mini-game without much depth, similar to candy crush or minesweeper. A lot of effort has been put into making it seem like it is more, but most of it does not work. There is a ton of gear, and almost all of it is flat-out useless. There is a world map, but no branching, so it is only a glorified "next" button. There is an inn, and it becomes tedious pretty much right away, when you have to go back there every time between stages to refill your hearts and repair gear, .
    At some point, the levels increase in difficulty by making it harder to build chains. But it does not feel challenging, just tedious, when you flop around the board without ever really getting things going.

    Seems like a lot of effort was put into all the wrong places. Ironically, I would probably rate the game higher if it was the same game, just without all the dysfunctional fluff. The core mechanics are fun and addictive, and I got a lot of playtime out of it. And it could be a really great game, if the RPG elements worked.

    As of May 2021, the game has a bug, where it does not recognize when you complete a certain type of challenge.

    All in all, buy it on sale if you are really into casual games or look for something to waste time on the train. It's perfect for that.    … Expand
  2. Hangedman84
    Dec 21, 2020
    9
    What will you got, if you take some puzzle-solving gamepaly, mix it with barbaric violence, sprinkle it with a pinch of humour and wrap it all up in charming visual cover! You got it right you get the Gridstone!

    I could say a lot about why I liked the game and what's interesting about it, but I don't want to waste your time so I'll be very brief and just tell you what I didn't like.    What will you got, if you take some puzzle-solving gamepaly, mix it with barbaric violence, sprinkle it with a pinch of humour and wrap it all up in charming visual cover! You got it right you get the Gridstone!

    I could say a lot about why I liked the game and what's interesting about it, but I don't want to waste your time so I'll be very brief and just tell you what I didn't like.

    I have only one complaint about game interface, it can be a little bit clunky when using a controller, but it is understandable, since the game was originally made for mobile (iPhone/iPad).

    9 gridstones from 10!    … Expand
  3. Xena17
    Dec 20, 2020
    10
    Super jeu de réflexion, on s'y laisse vite prendre.. a vrai dire des les premières secondes ! Très bien pensé, également le mode defi qui empêche de se lasser! Bravo au developpeur
  4. jro3001
    Dec 6, 2021
    0
    Somehow Capy forgot to convert this from pay to win trash. One of the most overrated games I've seen in a while. Don't bother.
  5. flipovic
    Dec 18, 2020
    9
    This game is the perfect escapism for me! Not because it builds a world in which I can get lost, but because it is just plain fun! And it fits the switch perfectly!

    You basically have to get rid of some pesky enemies while combining your moves in order to attack foes of the same color (which you can mix with a simple and easy to use mechanic), and combo the max number of attacks. That's    This game is the perfect escapism for me! Not because it builds a world in which I can get lost, but because it is just plain fun! And it fits the switch perfectly!

    You basically have to get rid of some pesky enemies while combining your moves in order to attack foes of the same color (which you can mix with a simple and easy to use mechanic), and combo the max number of attacks. That's the gist of it, but then you have enemies which grow angry and can attack you, you have special enemies which require stronger moves to be taken down, enemies which give you rewards for defeating them, enemies which actively attack you, and even super cool bosses!

    Each level takes just a few minutes, the animations are beautiful as in a goofy but well drawn cartoon and the mechanics are super easy to learn, but with room to let you improve (aka "get good") and perform really powerful moves, which feel super nice!

    I have a tone of games on my backlog (like most do I guess), many considered to be the cream of the crop in their genre, but this is the type of game which when I saw some gameplay I just had to try for myself, and once I did... all other games went to stand by!

    No regrets! This is a truly great game!    … Expand
  6. Limb0w
    Mar 1, 2021
    9
    What an addictive puzzler. And relaxing in a way. Great atmosphere too. Must have on Switch!
  7. DavidAndrewLam
    Nov 28, 2021
    10
    Very addicting. Interesting characters, satisfying game play. Everyone should add this to their switch library!
  8. drlowdon
    Oct 10, 2022
    7
    Although Grindstone may at first glance appear to be another match 3 puzzle game, it does actually have a slightly more original premise. Essentially, the player is required to trace a path through monsters of the same colour in order to kill them, once you’ve killed enough enemies the exit to the next level will open. Staying on a level for longer does offer more rewards, but also greaterAlthough Grindstone may at first glance appear to be another match 3 puzzle game, it does actually have a slightly more original premise. Essentially, the player is required to trace a path through monsters of the same colour in order to kill them, once you’ve killed enough enemies the exit to the next level will open. Staying on a level for longer does offer more rewards, but also greater risks as increasing numbers of enemies attack, and this adds a nice risk/reward element to proceedings.

    As you progress through the levels further complications are added, such as more powerful enemies and boulders that block your path, but since the core gameplay remains relatively simplistic, this can’t prevent the game becoming a bit repetitive after a few hours and as such it’s probably best suited to short bursts every now and then.    … Expand
  9. Pete112
    Dec 12, 2021
    9
    Fun puzzle game with brilliant animation.

    It was very addictive early on but does start to get too difficult as you progress.
  10. patrduha777
    Jun 5, 2022
    10
    the most enjoyable switch game hands down!!
    its a puzzle rpg with bosses and great variety of puzzles.
    i counted more than 300 hours because i finish and start again

    pro- its relaxing while challenging with enough eye candy
    its original.

    cons- DLC cosmetic only
    other players dont try because it comes from ios/android before
  11. Ashbless
    Aug 17, 2023
    9
    Grindstone is a puzzle video game that starts from the base of making colored lines by killing monsters but progresses to excellence due to its setting, the polish of the mechanics and the careful combination of them. Without any monetization mechanics and many updates over the years, it is still extremely addictive.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Starbit
    Jan 11, 2021
    90
    Grindstone on the Nintendo Switch is a puzzle game with origins in the mobile market, but don't let that deceive you: this is a real gem that will grab players' attention from the very beginning for hours on end, and where everything is delightfully addicting and marvelously executed. Anyone who thinks a game with origins on mobile devices cannot deliver a good experience on the Nintendo Switch should take a good look at Grindstone as soon as possible.
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  2. Nintenderos
    Jan 10, 2021
    90
    In Grindstone, each movement must be planned, taking into account not only the game itself, but the resources that we will obtain for the future, under a constant risk / reward system and all involved in a wonderful and colorful puzzle game. It's a masterpiece of the genre.
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  3. Nintendo Insider
    Jan 5, 2021
    90
    Grindstone is a fantastic puzzler that has well and truly gotten its hooks in me. What usually starts out as plans for a quick five-minute session soon unravels into hours. The wait from Apple Arcade to Nintendo Switch has been worth it, and Grindstone ends 2020 with a bang.
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