TECHMASH

Tag: #GRIMEII

  • STONE, SOUL, AND SWORD — GRIME II COMES TO NINTENDO SWITCH & SWITCH 2 NOVEMBER 26

    STONE, SOUL, AND SWORD — GRIME II COMES TO NINTENDO SWITCH & SWITCH 2 NOVEMBER 26

    The beautifully haunting metroidvania sequel is heading to Nintendo’s family of consoles. UK publisher Kwalee and independent studio Clover Bite have confirmed that Grime II will launch digitally on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 across the UK and worldwide on November 26, 2026, bringing its surreal, stone-born world to handheld and docked players alike.

    And that’s not all — the announcement arrives alongside a major free content update for all platforms, meaning every version of the game just got bigger.

    THE WORLD THAT STONE BUILT — WHAT IS GRIME II?

    For those new to the series, Grime burst onto the scene in 2021 — a dark, atmospheric metroidvania where you play as the “Formless,” a being born from a mysterious mask who absorbs enemies to grow stronger. Its defining mechanic? Destroy foes, absorb their essence, and use their own attacks against them. It was haunting, clever, and deeply memorable — earning widespread critical praise and a fiercely loyal fanbase.

    Grime II expands that vision into something even stranger and more ambitious:

    • A vast, interconnected world of bizarre, organic architecture — think towering pillars, cavernous cathedrals, and bioluminescent depths
    • Evolved combat where timing, absorption, and form-shifting remain at the core
    • New abilities, traversal options, and hidden paths that reward thorough exploration
    • A story that delves deeper into the mysteries of the Mask, the Void, and the fate of the world itself

    “A FINAL CODA” — FREE UPDATE ARRIVES ON ALL PLATFORMS

    Whether you’re playing on Nintendo consoles, PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S, a substantial free update lands alongside the Switch release — and it’s a big one:

    A Final Coda — Story Conclusion

    • An entirely new area unlocked after beating the main campaign
    • Resolves the lingering story thread left hanging since the original Grime
    • Features punishing platforming sections designed to test every skill you’ve mastered

    Boss Rematch System

    • Revisit and refight any defeated boss whenever you wish
    • Perfect your strategies, try different builds, or just enjoy those spectacular encounters again

    All of this — including the new story chapter — is included at no extra cost on Switch, Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

    RELEASE DETAILS

    DetailInfo
    TitleGrime II
    DevelopersClover Bite
    PublisherKwalee
    Switch ReleaseNovember 26, 2026
    PlatformsNintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 — full feature parity
    PriceAvailable now for pre-order via Nintendo eShop
    Free Update“A Final Coda” — live across all platforms Nov 26

    A brand-new trailer showcasing the game’s eerie landscapes and fluid combat is also live now — giving Switch players their first proper look at what awaits beneath the stone.

    THE TECHMASH TAKE

    Grime was one of those quiet gems that everyone who played it swore by — and Grime II has already proven itself a worthy follow-up on other platforms. Bringing it to both Switch and Switch 2 simultaneously is a smart move too: play it handheld on the go, or docked on your TV with crisp performance.

    With a full story epilogue and boss replay mode thrown in for free on every platform, this is the perfect time to dive in — whether you’re returning to see how it all ends, or stepping into this mesmerising world for the very first time. The mask awaits — will you absorb the world, or let it crumble around you?

    Find out more here: Grime II

    #GrimeII #CloverBite #Kwalee #Metroidvania #NintendoSwitch #NintendoSwitch2 #IndieGame #Soulslike #Platformer #AFinalCoda #FreeUpdate #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Grime II is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S

    Grime II is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S

    Exciting news for fans of the surreal and the challenging: Clover Bite and publisher Kwalee have officially confirmed that Grime II, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 cult hit, is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

    Even better? You won’t have to wait for a “console version later” port. The game is set to launch simultaneously across PC and current-gen consoles on March 31, 2026.

    A New Form of Terror

    In Grime II, you step into the role of a Formless—an “art mimic” capable of absorbing the creatures it encounters. While the first game was celebrated for its “soulsvania” combat and anatomical horror, the sequel looks to push the creativity of its world even further.

    Instead of just absorbing enemies to grow stronger, you now use Molds. By defeating and absorbing specific foes, you can summon their shapes to perform special attacks, throw projectiles, or even act as summons to aid you in battle.

    Key Features to Watch For:

    • The “Stealer of Forms”: Your primary tool is a set of hand-tendrils used to parry and grasp enemies, allowing you to literally wear their shapes as tactical advantages.
    • Environmental Lethality: The world itself is a weapon. You can use your surroundings to crush or trap enemies, though the game warns that the AI is more than happy to return the favour.
    • Vast Customisation: Clover Bite is promising deep RPG elements, including over 30 weapons, 20 armour sets, and more than 40 unique abilities to fine-tune your playstyle.
    • A Bizarre Lived-In World: Expect to explore unsettlingly beautiful locations, from civilisations built within giant vases to landscapes made entirely of painted nails.

    Evolution Over the Original

    Director Yarden Weissbrot has noted that while the first Grime was a methodical, stamina-focused experience, Grime II leans more into player freedom. The sequel has moved away from traditional stamina constraints to allow for more fluid platforming and combat variety. It’s also significantly larger; internal testing suggests a runtime of 22 to 30+ hours, roughly double the length of the original.

    “We learned the rules of Metroidvania design with the first game; with Grime II, we’re trying to break them.” — Clover Bite Development Team.

    Launch Details

    • Release Date: March 31, 2026
    • Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
    • Developer: Clover Bite
    • Publisher: Kwalee

    If you’re a PC gamer and can’t wait until the end of the month, a free demo is currently available on Steam to give you a taste of the “Temple of Hands” and the evolution of the series’ combat.

    Find out more here – https://www.grimegame.com/

    #Kwalee #CloverBite #adventure #metroidvania #GrimeII #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcadegames

  • If you thought the original GRIME was a fever dream, buckle up

    If you thought the original GRIME was a fever dream, buckle up

    Developer Clover Bite is back with GRIME II, and it looks even more beautifully bizarre than its predecessor. With a demo recently released (November 2025) and a full launch on the horizon, the buzz in the Soulslike-Metroidvania community is reaching a fever pitch.

    Here is everything you need to know about the sequel that turns “stealing your enemy’s look” into a deadly art form.

    1. You Are the “Formless”

    In the first game, you were a black-hole-headed titan. In GRIME II, you play as a Formless—an art mimic capable of absorbing creatures and manifesting their shapes.

    The core loop has evolved:

    • Absorb & Summon: Instead of just gaining passive traits, you now launch tendrils made of hands to absorb foes.
    • Mold System: Once absorbed, you can summon “molds” of these enemies to perform special attacks, fire projectiles, or act as summons to assist you in combat.

    2. Combat: More Than Just a Parry

    While the first game was legendary (and sometimes notorious) for its strict parry-centric combat, GRIME II feels more fluid and experimental.

    • Environmental Combat: The world isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a weapon. You can use the environment to crush, impale, or stun enemies—but be careful, as the “lived-in” world is just as happy to use those hazards against you.
    • Wards & Stuns: A new “Ward” system has been introduced. Breaking an enemy’s Mold Ward stuns them, opening a window to grasp and absorb their form.
    • Customisation: The sequel places a massive emphasis on playstyle. Between weapon abilities and the variety of mould summons, you can build a character that ranges from a heavy bruiser to a master of ranged summon tactics.

    3. A World Made of… Art?

    The setting of GRIME II is distinct from the rocky, anatomical landscapes of the first game. This is a world obsessed with art.

    Expect to explore surreal regions where civilisations are built out of painted nails, giant ceramic vases, and jars. It’s a “lived-in” world where the NPCs are often friendly (or at least talkative), offering a deeper narrative layer than the cryptic whispers of the original.

    Comparison: GRIME vs. GRIME II

    FeatureGRIME (2021)GRIME II (2025/2026)
    ProtagonistThe Vessel (Black Hole head)The Formless (Art Mimic)
    Main MechanicParrying to absorb traitsGrasping to create Mold summons
    Death PenaltyLost Ardor (stat bonus)No “corpse run” for currency (Streamlined)
    Combat StyleDefensive / ReactiveProactive / Environmental

    4. Release Date and Demo

    As of late 2025, a playable demo is currently available on Steam, which has received “Very Positive” reviews. While the developers initially aimed for a 2025 launch, some industry whispers suggest a Q1 2026 window for the full release to ensure the game is as polished as a porcelain vase.

    Pro Tip: If you’re trying the demo, don’t ignore the Dash-Jump movement tech. The developers have given players more mobility right out of the gate this time!

    Final Thoughts

    GRIME II isn’t just a “more of the same” sequel. It’s a mechanical shift that favours creativity and environmental awareness over the pure “parry-or-die” rhythm of the first. If you love Hollow Knight, Blasphemous, or the original GRIME, this needs to be at the top of your wishlist.

    GRIME II – https://www.kwalee.com

    #GRIMEII #Kwalee #CloverBite #metroidvania #gameplay #demogame #games #gaming #gamers #videogames