Grapplers: Relic Rivals

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• DEVELOPER: Ally Productions LLC
• PUBLISHER: Ally Productions LLC
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Platformer / Brawler
• RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2024
• STARTING PRICE: 13.79€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

I’m a big fan of party games, so I was excited when I got the chance to play Grapplers: Relic Rivals with friends. This PvP 2D platformer and brawler is perfect for LAN sessions or for spicing up an evening when you’re hanging out and having a few drinks. However, the game lacks content. It takes about two hours to explore all the maps and levels, and to experience everything combat-wise. Keep in mind that this game is not designed for single-player; its main purpose is to let you show off your skills to your friends.

Honestly, I can’t really compare Grapplers to any specific game, maybe Super Smash Bros or something similar? Either way, the core concept revolves around your grappling hook, which you can use to climb different areas, deal damage, or escape. You can also jump on your friends to damage them and activate mystical runes by shooting the hook into them, which then apply various effects, such as explosions.

Additionally, you can find relics hidden in chests. Personally, the relics were the best part of the game. They grant abilities like double-jumping with wings or spawning a plant that shoots at others. Testing and trying out different relics was fun, and there are enough of them to keep things interesting.

This game is clearly a platformer, so the levels are filled with deadly traps; electricity can fry you, massive stones can crush you, and you can catch on fire. Each level presents a different type of challenge you must face. The game features four different maps, each with its own layout. For example, you’ll compete against your friends in environments like a winter biome or a volcanic biome.

To win, you need to collect a certain number of coins, and you can adjust all victory conditions in the options menu. Each round lasts a maximum of five minutes, as the maps are quite small. The intensity ramps up with four players, but even with just one other player, the game becomes highly competitive. Grapplers is all about chaos, with perfectly executed camera zooms that keep the action intense. You’ll simply enjoy the variety of ways you can show how much better you are, but the fun quickly fades when you play against the same people for more than an hour.

What I’d love to see in this game is more maps and levels, as well as a single-player mode with online multiplayer and leaderboards. Currently, there’s little reason to return to the game unless you have a few friends ready to play. I enjoyed playing with a mouse more than with a controller, but both options work just fine. Additionally, Grapplers offers Steam Remote Play, which is essential for a game like this, allowing you to hop in and play anytime. Unfortunately, it’s currently limited to local multiplayer only.

The game features well-crafted pixel art, with plenty of details that enhance its visual appeal. It easily adapts to widescreen displays, showcasing the effort put into creating the perfect PvP experience. I just wish the coin and chest icons were a bit larger, as they’re easy to lose track of amid all the chaos. I’d also like to see more customization options, as you can currently choose only four identical characters, which becomes dull after a while.

In conclusion, this game brings me back to childhood, when we would gather around the Nintendo Wii and compete against each other. Grapplers elevates that experience by incorporating modern elements to make gameplay even more enjoyable. However, keep in mind that this game is perfect only if you have a group of friends ready to play. For the price, it’s definitely worth it, even if it lacks additional content.

Review copy provided by the publisher