The early 2010s marked a significant resurgence in the gaming industry, characterized by a wave of retro revival projects. The rise of platforms like Steam, coupled with innovative funding models such as Kickstarter, encouraged both new and established developers to pursue their creative visions without the constraints of pragmatism. Among the standout titles from this period is Legend of Grimrock, a first-person dungeon crawler that ingeniously revitalized the core mechanics of classic games like Dungeon Master and Wizardry for a contemporary audience.
Unveiling the Adventure
For those who may have overlooked Legend of Grimrock upon its release in 2012, there’s good news: both the original game and its sequel are currently available at an enticing 80% discount on Steam this weekend. Priced at just (£5), this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Legend of Grimrock 2 expands the gameplay experience significantly, inviting players to explore the enigmatic Isle of Nax both indoors and outdoors. This sequel offers a more expansive environment, introducing an array of new weapons, monsters, spells, puzzles, and other enhancements that one would expect from a follow-up. In addition to the main campaigns, both titles feature level editors that have empowered the community to create a diverse range of custom adventures.
Interestingly, Legend of Grimrock 2 also represents the final project from the Finnish studio Almost Human Games. Following its release, key members of the team regrouped under the banner of Ctrl Alt Ninja, where they developed the well-received tactical RPG Druidstone: The Secret of the Menhir Forest in 2019. However, the current status of the developer remains somewhat ambiguous, as it appears that many of its principal talents have returned to traditional game development roles at studios such as Remedy Entertainment and Next Games.
While it seems unlikely that we will see a return of Legend of Grimrock or Druidstone, the brilliance of both games endures. They are available individually for (£2.55) and .79 (£4), respectively, or can be purchased together in a bundle for just (£5). This limited-time discount concludes on Monday, making it an ideal moment for both new players and nostalgic fans to dive into these captivating adventures.
