Coming off a five-plus-hour foray into Mount Grimrock, I'm bent on telling the world about this little gem. This game certainly deserves a better representation than the likes of previous reviewers (no offense, littlekidhaters and fingerwaggers alike), so please, take it from me: this one is a testament to the genre. I was quite reluctant to hand it five stars, but I'll touch on its imperfections in a moment. First, let me tell you what this RPG throwback chock full o' nostalgia does absolutely right: You want atmosphere? The air is so thick you'll choke the second you step foot in these dungeons. Secret passages? If you want better weapons than the rocks you find lying around, you'd better find 'em. Puzzles? Oh, we got puzzles, we got multiple routes, keys, doors and confusing floors galore. Freedom? Try letting a couple giant snails creep over the trapdoor in the corner and just pull on that lever. You should know that this is no Eye of the Beholder-- it's simpler, sleeker, and built for a wider audience-- but it has bits of brilliance that taste just like the guts n' glory of the old days. When you find a secret, you really feel like you've accomplished something pretty cool. When you play on HARD (like you know you should) in OLD-SCHOOL mode (so automapping is off-- that means you need your pen and paper, kids) it can get pretty tough. Remember when games were challenging? Asked you to use your brain a little? Don't say I didn't warn you. This game might make you work a little. Don't let my fervor for this particular pièce de résistance of old-is-the-new-new throw you off-- there is a generous downside to resurrecting the arcane ways of Good Ol' Games. Do not download this game expecting Roguelike turn-based combat like I did. Fights can become frantic, losing one of your characters is painful, and if you aren't ready to do a bizarre gridlocked circle strafe dance with ogres and skeleton soldiers alike you're in for some sore play. Yes, that is what makes this a 4 and not a 5 star review, and while I admit that this method of movement is what hearkens back to the old days the most, it could've been optimized better. I would honestly prefer something more turn-based because it makes some fights far too easy and others far too difficult in a supremely artificial manner. The combat should be based on player skill and character stats FAR more than WASD typing tango. All told, this one is worth the $12 price tag, and then some. This is a true new classic, the kind of game you tell your old school gaming buddies about because it's just that close to home. Forget what's been said about the shiny graphics-- this one is downright fun, albeit a little tough to steer at times.
