Pepper Grinder is a 2D platformer with mechanics that involve a very dynamic and precise drill, digging and jumping. Mixing traditional platform game dynamics that are very reminiscent of the great classics of the genre with digging dynamics that allow you to dive into the earth and jump from terrain to terrain even faster, the game is one of the newest creations from the famous indie distributor Devolver Digital.

Pepper Grinder is a traditional platformer game

The game’s developer, Ahr Ech, did much of the level design, conception and even marketing of the game almost by himself. It’s always admirable when indie titles are made by solo developers or small teams, even more so with the level of detail that this title pays attention to.

With responsive gameplay, despite some sections that require attention and even a certain amount of patience, secrets, extra skins and extra stages, the game follows the formula of a traditional platformer and doesn’t take too long to complete if you follow it to the letter from start to finish, but it does have a lot of worthwhile extras.

I particularly like the secrets, such as the game’s concept art, stickers and character skins, and especially when the game adds extra stages that can be unlocked using the collectibles in the game.

Short, but fun for a livestream

To finish the game’s basic content, you’ll need around 4 hours of gameplay. To do the extras and try to get the other collectibles, the game’s content can reach 10 hours.

Being a short platform game with a not-so-high price tag, you can still consider the cost/benefit and, above all, the style of games you bring on your livestream to play and produce content for. But the game is fun enough to try and can be finished in two or three livestreams.

I think the big thing that always stands out is how indie games, inventive and charismatic as they are, bring an air of freshness and also rescue that feeling of games in their fun essence. Sometimes the purest excuse for sharing this game on a stream is the fun factor, before anything else.

Pepper Grinder

PC, Nintendo Switch (2024)

Performance

Streamability

Audience Engagement

Replayability

Summary

Pepper Grinder may be a short game, but it entertains and in its chaos, it has its own identity, it’s a beautiful game, it recaptures a retro factor and it pulses with the essence of platform games along with its own identity. Searching for secrets within the stages themselves, seeing the mechanics and discovering the creator’s own inspirations within the game and, finally, seeing yet another great gem distributed by Devolver Digital always leaves the indie scene pulsating, vivid and, therefore, this being a title with a great excuse to play it on stream.

3.8

STEAM

Ludovicoluka

I have 25 years, I produce content to internet for 4 years and I like retro games, indies and I’m an enthusiast for new launches. I have as my favorite games Donkey Kong Country 2, Super Mario World, Hollow Knight and Red Dead Redemption II, per example. I like to experiment everything and the more, the better, but I never get sick of my comfort games!