GamesPlatformerChaotic platformer Pepper Grinder lets you take on monsters with a truly gigantic drill, and it’s one of my highlights of Steam Next festWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesPlatformerChaotic platformer Pepper Grinder lets you take on monsters with a truly gigantic drill, and it’s one of my highlights of Steam Next festWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Ahr Ech)
Pepper Grinder is a lovely little action-packed platforming adventure, all done with a drill the size of a human being - and it’s one of the standouts ofSteam Next Fest.
Ahr Ech’s demo doesn’t tell you much from the jump - it just hands you a gigantic drill and tasks you with burrowing through the Earth to defeat monsters and claim treasure. Admittedly, that’s actually all the setup you’ll need to have a great time with Pepper Grinder’s demo. When something just worksthiswell, it needs little introduction.
This is a platformer at heart, but a damn weird one. Priming the drill and burrowing into the Earth feels like firing a bullet, only you’re the bullet, and you’re controlling where you delve into the ground before you coming careening out the other side of the pile of Earth you’ve just dug into.
You’re rapidly steering yourself around our through monsters to kill them, or trying to keep your path in line with a series of gems to claim them all. Mercifully, the drill isn’t too hard to control, and feels like it can be brought to heel with some practice, not unlike some wild animal you’re trying to tame.
Pepper Grinder even has you hopping between the Earth in mid-air, so sometimes you’ll need to prime a boosted jump before you reach the end of a patch of Earth, to send yourself flying over vines and other nasty terrain. The whole thing feels like a rollercoaster, only one you’re directly in control of and responsible for.
Thankfully, Pepper Grinder’s level design is short and sweet, and doesn’t punish you for missing any gems. It’s a simple case of going for what you want to - more skilled players might rapidly flit between piles of Earth to claim the maximum number of gems possible, while others might just take the safest path from point A to B to complete the level.
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Pepper Grinder is due out at some point later this year in 2024, releasing on both PC and Nintendo Switch. Head over to the game’sSteamstore page to wishlist it and stay up to date with all the latest news going forward.
You can also keep an eye on ourupcoming indie gamesguide for a look at all the other small-time gems set to debut in full later this year.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”