Pepper Grinder

I had an excellent time with Pepper Grinder and I'm very happy that there are still unique gameplay ideas to be shared in the 2D space.

Pepper Grinder is a fun concept, that will, unfortunately, even after a mere 3-4 hour playthrough, still outlast it’s welcome by an hour or so.

When an indie title comes along that dares to deliver a sensationally speedy effort coupled with a tool that spotlights its exhilarating gameplay, you know you’ll be in for one heck of a treat. Pepper Grinder really is that kind of treat, and while it is short and carries a few bugbears with it, you won’t soon forget Pepper Grinder. The fantastically drill-tastic gameplay will keep you coming back again and again, but not for long, as you’ll just wish there was more to go around. Pepper Grinder is too brief to fully satisfy, but on the other hand, you’ll want to lap it all up regardless. Ultimately Pepper Grinder is seasoned beautifully, but this dish could’ve used some more fiber to encourage peristalsis.

Despite the small scope and some imprecise and chaotic aspects, Pepper Grinder is worth picking up for platforming fans looking for something that manages to be both novel and challenging, and its considerable audiovisual charm absolutely doesn’t hurt.

A fluid and dynamic action-platformer with great potential, flawed by a too rigid structure, limited longevity and some annoying bugs that spoil the experience. A metroidvania with these dynamics could give an eventual sequel the breathing room this project needed.

Pepper Grinder delivers a fluid and enjoyable 2D platforming experience with its unique drilling mechanic, although it lacks cohesion and confidence in its main gameplay mechanic. The game's constant introduction of new ideas sometimes overshadows its core mechanic, resulting in a somewhat disjointed experience. Despite this, it offers fun and challenging gameplay with a charming visual and sound design.

Chug through the earth and navigate ingenious levels in this terrific platformer.

Pepper Grinder is a platformer that wears its inspiration on its sleeve, with collectibles, checkpoints, and more in tow. It adds a unique spin to the formula with the addition of a drill mechanic, creating a fun-yet-tough experience that’s satisfying to conquer. It’s not a super-long game, but the challenge will keep you busy for some time regardless.

Pepper Grinder impresses with incredibly smooth gameplay, cleverly designed levels and fresh mechanics at every corner. Only the boss fights spoil the soup a little.

Features interesting challenges that test the player's skills with control. It all culminates in sections that, despite being short, manage to make a great impression. Unfortunately, it all ended too soon. Just when you think you're just getting started, the end credits roll, disappointing and infuriating the player. Although there is an element of replayability, it is not strong enough. I really hope that Ahr Ech is already working on Pepper Grinders 2, because it's unfair that such a good experience ends so quickly.

The epitome of short but sweet, that is both a clever tribute to Drill Dozer and Ecco The Dolphin and a welcome alternative to bloated and overlong modern epics.

Pepper Grinder is an enjoyable, unique platformer with a zippy pace, interesting mechanics, and some cool level designs. The boss battles are a bit clunky and only subtract from what is otherwise a very tight experience. It’s also worth noting that the game is quite brisk in its run-time, so do take that into account before buying. I personally think it ends a little too soon, but that’s not a terrible problem for a game to have.

Pepper Grinder is an action-packed 2D adventure blending traditional platforming with an alternate drilling mode that allows you to dive in and out of the earth like a dolphin swims through water. Switch version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes. Pepper Grinder is a game with a good idea that generally works well.

Pepper Grinder is a great little title. I truly enjoyed my time churning my way through the sand and sea as this drill duo. And I usually prefer salt!

Pepper Grinder trades its unique concept just too often for generic mechanics that are a lot less interesting. This leaves a platformer that is only partially brilliant and consists of a lot of unused potential.

If you’re into unique and creative takes on platforming, Pepper Grinder is well worth jumping (or rather, drilling) into. I’m not the biggest fan of the boss fights (especially the one that currently glitches out), but overall, this is a good grind from start to finish. I’d love to see more takes on drill-based platforming along these lines, though the tight package developer Ahr Ech has put together is a concentrated blast of fun.

Pepper Grinder is a challenging, fresh and innovative platform game. Armed with a drill and the sole desire to recover the loot of a pirate shipwreck, we will enjoy an experience that stands out for its good mechanics, excellent level design, beautiful pixel art and a great soundtrack.

Pepper Grinder is here for a good time, not for a long time. Every piece, from the core drilling mechanic itself to the various ways it manifests with cannons and mechs and more, feels meticulously engineered to teach you a new concept, wring the fun out of it, and then move on to the next. That sense of propulsion makes every moment fun and engaging. It's a great little gem of a game which, like its heroine, may be small in size but makes every bit count.

Pepper Grinder is a great example as to why I love indie games as much as I do. They’re odd, and daring, and seem to create these wacky concepts that wouldn’t be found elsewhere. This makes them memorable and I know that come year’s end, I will still be talking about and recommending this game.

Pepper Grinder is an innovative indie experience, packed with tense battles, fluid platforming, and eye-catching visual design. While its short runtime left me wanting more, I'm happy with what it is: a bright action platformer that's anything but a grind.

Despite the occasional glitch and the fact that it is likely going to leave players craving for more stages to shred through, Pepper Grinder is a great “drillformer” that is definitely worth picking up and seeing to the end.

Pepper Grinder is a wonderfully inventive and fun platformer that no fan of the genre will want to miss out on. It may have a runtime that feels a little too short, but this is ultimately a deeply enjoyable, challenging, and highly replayable game with lots of personality. If you think you’d be interested, we’d suggest you pick up Pepper Grinder at the next opportunity (and there's a even downloadable demo if you're on the fence).

It's a bit of a shame that Pepper Grinder doesn't stick the landing because there are elements of brilliance here, and the drilling platforming, the boss battles, the art direction and the world that Ahr Ech has created is all fantastic, it just needs that little bit extra to take it from being good to being something great.

I’ve played a lot of amazing games from Devolver’s library, but Pepper Grinder stands above most of the pack. It’s a quirky, creative, and utterly enjoyable platformer with lots of character, if not much in the way of plot. The mechanics work well and the creativity speaks for itself, despite some minor snags keeping it from a perfect score. All platformer fans owe it to themselves to check this one out.