Griefhelm Review (Steam)

by Jim Smale · August 24, 2020

Griefhelm is an award-winning tactical dueling game with lethal medieval weaponry. Skewer enemies, deflect blows and push your advantage as you tactically overcome your foes in fast-paced duels. Prove yourself worthy of eternal reward.

Pros:

Decent graphics.
3939mb download size.
Controller support.
Remote play together support.
Graphics-fullscreen, resolution scale, anti-aliasing, post-processing, shadow quality, and foliage setting.
Game settings-Hud, gore, screen shake, rumble, and slow-motion kills can all be turned on and off individually.
Four game modes-tutorial/campaign/encounter and online.
Three stances-High, mid and low.
Melee fighting combat gameplay.
All happens on a 2D backdrop.
Combat is a lot like that their Nidhogg game. You attack from one of three stances and if the opponent matches your stance it’s parried otherwise its a hit.
Four-player support-offline/local but also the remote play.
Customize your characters-helm, armor, weapon, and plume.
Armour affects stats.
Cool in-game cutscenes and art pieces.
Wonderful soundtrack.
Tug of war game type -down your opponent and run towards their side of the screen and go to the next area, they can of course pull this back by downing you.
The campaign–map screen with nodes (random levels) in each of the four locations, at the end of each location is a boss battle.
Well presented.
The strong color palette and lighting model.
Lives- you get a set amount and once they are all gone you lose everything and start again.
Roguelike elements.
Perks-earn these and activate them for an edge in battle.
Winning levels and locations mean you keep any collected gear.
World map level select that shows game type, difficulty, and reward.
Before a level, you get to change your equipment and perks.
Skirmish game type-one on one fight, first to three kills win.
Can skip cutscenes.
Lightning speed load times.
Clever and surprisingly deep combat as you learn your own style and combo to it.
Unlock new ways to fight like on horseback.
Perks may only have limited use.
Horde game type is wave-based.
Encounter game type-pick a game type and individual settings for them.
Online- quick play, browse lobbies, create lobby and friends only.
Create lobby options-public/private, quick play, or custom lobby.
Supports the use of d-pad or sticks.

Griefhelm Review

Cons:

No Steam achievements.
Can’t rebind controls.
The input menu only shows a keyboard.
Controls take some getting used to.
Small hard to read text on the campaign map.
Takes a while to get going.
Clunky animations in places.
Hard to judge blocking and attacks.
Feels like you are made of glass most of the time.
RNG half the time.

Griefhelm Review

8/10
Graphics - 8/10
7/10
Sound - 7/10
7/10
Accessibility - 7/10
7/10
Length - 7/10
8/10
Fun Factor - 8/10

7.4/10

Summary

Griefhelm is a game you can quickly and accurately describe as a Nidhogg game with a bit more emphasis on gritty combat. Sure it has a couple of modes but the core gameplay is the same, pick from your three stances (top/middle/bottom), and outwit your opponent. All that changes between the modes are if you can stay still after a kill or run to the next screen. Learning the game is fast and at the same time you realize how flaky the combat can feel, with only a couple of hits allowed before death, it can be really hard to tell what the enemy is doing or even what you are doing. After a few hours, the combat gets better as you learn your personal way of playing but also by this time you will have seen what the game has to offer. In single-player combat, its an RNG Ai cheese-fest, and multiplayer is a button mash swearathon. The hook to keep you coming back is unlocking new equipment and timed perks, fine but not a lot of meat to keep you biting. Overall its an alright game and does at least try to carve out a campaign, Griefhelm is a decent multiplayer romp but a frustrating crash on a single player.