The ‘survivors-like’ scene has moved from being a passing trend to a genre with its own identity, and Grind Survivors, developed by Pushka Studios and published by Assemble Entertainment, is its latest great example. This title immerses us in a post-apocalyptic world where a demon hunter must face hordes of enemies, mixing the addiction of Vampire Survivors with depth that recalls the best ARPGs. It is a proposal that does not try to reinvent the wheel, but rather adds elements to make it more interesting.
Surviving with an entire arsenal
The narrative premise of Grind Survivors is direct: Earth has been invaded by demons and you are the only one capable of saving it. The tone of the game is dark, heavy, and markedly ‘heavy’, moving away from the minimalism of other titles in the genre to offer a more “visceral” atmosphere. Although the story is presented lightly through object descriptions and the environment itself, progression feels organic as we unlock new hunters.
The core gameplay of Grind Survivors focuses on survival during timed waves. What really sets it apart from titles like Brotato or Vampire Survivors is its loot system. During rounds, enemies drop weapons with random stats and different rarities. After each attempt, we can fuse five weapons to obtain one of a higher rank, or use points to improve their attributes. This management component adds a tactical layer that keeps you hooked.
Chaos at 60 frames per second
On a visual level, the game abandons classic pixel art for a detailed comic style. The art direction is excellent, with varied biomes, all full of particle effects and colorful explosions. The most notable thing is the technical performance on Xbox consoles, where I played. The game maintains a solid performance even when the enemy density is so high that you can barely see the battlefield.
The sound design is equally strong. Weapons feel heavy and powerful, and the soundtrack perfectly accompanies the pace of the action. Loading times are almost non-existent, which is appreciated in a genre where death is frequent and you want to get back into the action immediately. Although the variety of enemies could be a bit more generous to avoid repetitiveness, the clarity of the menus and the interface make the overall experience very polished.
Accessibility for the average Demon Slayer
Pushka Studios has done a good job ensuring that Grind Survivors is enjoyable for everyone. The game offers the option of automatic or manual shooting for those who prefer an experience closer to twin-stick shooters. It also includes the option of completely remapping the controls, a vital detail for many. The interface allows scaling certain elements to improve visibility in moments of maximum saturation of effects on the screen.
Additionally, the game has several difficulty levels that are unlocked, allowing new players more room to breathe. The progression system through a permanent skill tree also acts as an indirect difficulty aid: if you get stuck, you can always do a few rounds to improve your base stats and try again.
A brilliant evolution of the genre
Grind Survivors is a love letter to the genre. Its weapon system and procedural loot system place it above many similar games in terms of longevity and customization. Although it suffers from a certain lack of variety in final bosses and maps, the base gameplay is so solid and the performance so impeccable that it is difficult not to recommend it to fans of the genre.
If you are looking for a deep narrative, you have come to the wrong place, but if you want to feel like a “doomslayer”, Grind Survivors is a solid recommendation. Its value for money is exceptional, offering dozens of hours of content for a very low price. Pushka Studios has laid the foundations of a title that, with some updates, could stand toe-to-toe with the main survivor-likes.
Grind Survivors
Summary
Grind Survivors is a brilliant evolution of the ‘survivors’ genre that perfectly mixes the loot of an ARPG with the chaos of a bullet-heaven. While it lacks some variety, the core gameplay is still incredibly fun.
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