It's safe to say that publisher Devolver Digital rarely (if ever) misses when it comes to the indie titles it chooses to prop up and bring to the masses. Arriving later this year from indie developer Ahr Ech and publisher Devolver Digital is the charming platformer Pepper Grinder. Imagine the drill section from Ori and the Will of the Wisps and build an entire old-school 2D platformer around that mechanic, that's Pepper Grinder. Far from a gimmick, though, the Grinder drill that the titular Pepper carries is an all-in-one tool that is more than capable of supporting the mechanics of combat and traversal.
Originally conceived as a combination between the coin-op classic Dig Dug and Ecco the Dolphin on Sega Genesis, development on Pepper Grinder dates back to 2017, with the title revealing a follow-up trailer and planned release date of 2023 before quietly slipping into the first quarter of 2024. Game ZXC recently had the opportunity to go hands-on with the preview build of Pepper Grinder which showcased the first three levels, time-attack challenges, and a charming overworld map akin to Super Mario World. If that preview build is any indication, Pepper Grinder's signature mechanic helps it to become one of the most unique platformers since Celeste.
Pepper Grinder is a Beautiful Evolution of Drill Mechanics from Games like Sonic Colors, Ori
Ahr Ech's upcoming game Pepper Grinder, published by Devolver Digital, seems to take the drill mechanics of Sonic Colors to a new level.
Pepper Grinder's Platforming Creates an Ideal Flow-State Once Players Adjust
From the preview build's outset, players are introduced to Pepper as she makes landfall on a mysterious island. Her ship wrecked and her treasure stolen, she grabs the titular Grinder and gets to work. While the primary instinct is to jump using a button, most platforms in Pepper Grinder are simply too high to reach using the standard jump. Instead, the drill will propel Pepper forward in such a way that it becomes necessary to seek out pockets of earth and almost "swim" around in them, digging a path forward with the drill and popping out with the momentum it creates. It takes some adjusting, but within the first few screens of the initial stage, it becomes obvious how unique the level design is and how moving with the Grinder drill as a guide becomes second nature.
Eventually, players will run across pockets of earth with traces of blue marbled through them, and these areas are where it becomes necessary to use the jump button to "boost" with the drill. As Pepper grinds her way around the various pockets of sand and gravel that act as the main medium for movement, the drill creates a path that immediately fills in behind her, allowing players to maneuver indefinitely until they line up that one perfect jump or gap-crossing. The controls that support traversal and combat using the drill are so intuitive that it doesn't take long to reach that sought-after "flow-state" where movement becomes a zen-like experience and muscle memory takes over.
Each stage features plenty of collectibles as well, including some cleverly tucked-away Skull Coins that players can use at the Curiosity Shop. The various gems that Pepper collects almost act as a guide for the ideal movement path for the drill, but spotting a subtle crack in the earth or going off the beaten path will often result in discovering a Skull Coin or massive reserves of gems. The gems are also a valuable currency that players can use in the in-game Curiosity Shop, exchanging them for stickers in a giant drill-operated gacha machine.
The Spirit of Classic Platformers is Alive and Well in Pepper Grinder
Things start simply enough in Pepper Grinder which gives players a respectable learning curve for its unique drill-based movement mechanics. However, by the third and final stage of the preview build, it becomes obvious that the game will eventually throw some curveballs at players and test their mastery of using the Grinder to swim in and out of the earth. Though traversal via the excellently designed stages and environmental puzzle solving are the stars in Pepper Grinder, there is some combat involved, with the tip of the drill being just as effective as a weapon as it is at digging.
All of this is propped up by a charming 2D art style that features some incredible pixel art and character designs, as well as an overworld map that resembles an actual treasure map that the pirate protagonist might have drawn herself. Within each level, checkpoints are plentiful and feel appropriately placed, making even challenging sections of Pepper Grinder feel fair. Like the best retro platformers, Pepper Grinder never feels unfair but rather like the player needs to increase their skill when they reach an impasse. In that way, the game shares much in common with all-time classics like Donkey Kong Country and modern greats such as Celeste.
Pepper Grinder releases in 2024 for PC and Nintendo Switch.