Puz: Grinbo [by Quotix Software]

Game Review: Grinbo
Release: September 9, 2001
Genre: Puzzle/Action
Developer: Quotix Software
System Requirements: Win9x/ME/2000/XP, DirectX7, 32MB RAM, Pentium MMX, 1MB Video card
Price: US $9.99

Things are not going well for young Grinbo. Besides having a name that sounds like some kind of food processor, the poor lad has defied the King's orders and traveled through a magical portal only to become trapped on the other side. In order to return to his native Guffyland, Grinbo must make it through 25 levels in this strange new realm filled with puzzles and enemies. “Grinbo” by Quotix Software follows the title character on his quest, which is presented as a series of platform style 2D maps.

The player moves about the screen using the arrow keys (although the controls can be customized) and must avoid enemies, obstacles and traps while hitting switches and solving puzzles that allow you to move on to the next level. The emphasis of Grinbo is on the puzzle aspects more than platform jumping, although there are plenty of both.

The levels are well designed and the order of the puzzles are such that you must travel back and forth between different parts of each level several times in order to complete them all. The game makes use of “save points”, which could have been an annoyance if they weren’t so liberally placed (usually one on every screen) and fairly easy to reach. Since each level can be up to 6 screens in size you will likely want to save several times and there seems to be no limit on how often you can use a save point. This is not a game you will be finishing in a single evening.

The copyright on the game says 2001, which is surprising since graphically the game seems much older. The colors are murky, animation is sparse and there seem to be a few transparency glitches in the game sprites. To be honest, it looks like an old DOS game and that is a drawback that unfortunately could stand in the way of people giving Grinbo a try because the gameplay is fairly entertaining and decent value for those who like their games on the low-intensity side.

Graphics: 4
Transparency glitches aside the graphics have some light-hearted charm to them although they seem mostly generic. Like I said, the immediate vibe you get is “I’m an old DOS game”, and as graphics become ever more important for shareware games Grinbo’s just doesn’t stand out.

Sound: 5
The sound is utilitarian with generic sound effects for the various obstacles and level elements. The exception to this is the high-pitched voice of Grinbo himself who adds some charm and character to the gameplay. The developers have implemented a system where you only hear the sounds emanating from the objects closest to you. This way you won’t hear the various traps going off all over the screen all the time. It’s a small touch that is much appreciated.

Gameplay: 6
The puzzles are pretty easy to figure out (usually involving placing items or hitting switches) and there is good flow throughout each level. You may be required to backtrack to places you’ve already been in order to complete a puzzle but it’s not something you really notice and it won’t lessen your enjoyment of the game. If you think of Grinbo as a puzzle game first and a platform game second you won’t be disappointed. There is jumping and dodging involved but it is handled in a very “low intensity” way.

Options: 5
Grinbo includes the standard options for any 2D game, you can customize the control keys but your resolution and bit depth are locked. Generous use of in-game save points offers a good compromise and gives the user more than enough control over saving and loading games in progress.

Concept: 6
The platform-puzzle genre hasn’t really hit the same level of saturation as other puzzle games so the concept still seems a little more “fresh” by comparison. This game doesn’t add anything really new to the equation but the gameplay is solid and holds it’s own against other entries in the genre.

Fun: 6
Grinbo doesn’t do much to capture your attention in those initial moments of gameplay but for those who stick with it there is an odd charm and maybe even addictive nature to solving these puzzles. The unfortunate graphics and annoying generic sounds (the “boo” when you die is particularly horrible) can cause the fun to wear thin.

Overall: 6
I am really on the fence when it comes to recommending Grinbo. On one hand the game suffers from serious flaws in graphics and sound and the overall “dated” feel of the game will likely cause users to feel ripped off. On the other hand the price is cheap enough and the developers are currently throwing in a free copy of their image browsing software with each purchase. In a worst-case scenario you’re out $10 dollars (that you otherwise would’ve wasted on junk food and porno) and you get an entertaining if flawed game and a free utility package.

As a value-priced product Grinbo is a reasonable deal that will give you many hours of puzzle solving if you can get past its rough spots. It’s not a ringing endorsement but also not a complete pain. Added: July 25th 2003
Reviewer: Kyle Nau
Score:
Related Link: Grinbo Website
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