re: GRIME - Metroidvania Souls-like

Vulture is a pretty solid skill check, so very well done.

Actually really enjoying it. There are a couple of quality of life improvements that make replays a bit less of a chore, like beacons being activated by default (you still have map fog, but it clears as you move) and bosses being premarked on the map. While the unknown danger element is important on a first playthrough, it's been really pleasant being able to move through the map more methodically being you have all abilities unlocked from the start.

It's also cool that the devs made a few changes to NPC interactions to reflect that you've already experienced the game once. They are minor, but still appreciated.

As for difficulty, it's certainly ramped up, but I'm not finding it to be unreasonable. Fights are a bit more frenetic, but I've first tried several bosses and took out a few more in just two or three tries after getting snuck with an unexpected new move.

The NG+ exclusive boss, on the other hand... is a lot

I think I tried it about a dozen times before setting it down for the night. Though, to be honest, I might come back for it. Not that it's too hard, but I think it's going to be so much harder than every other fight that the others might feel a bit anticlimactic by comparison.

But anyway, like I said, having a lot of fun with it. Understanding the mechanics to the point that everything, from navigation to puzzles to fights, all comes down to execution, which feels really good when things are clicking.

Nine Sols was the gold standard for Metroidvanias for me

It’s incredible. One of my favorite games ever

Definitely upgrading weapons

Definitely wasn’t ready for his smoke lol.

I like those traits at this point in the game. You probably took wretch a bit earlier than useful, but it’s not a waste. Honestly, there are few traits that are awful investments with just one or two levels. The boost starts to trail off beyond that point, so try to avoid investing beyond that without really good reason.

As for the weapons, are you finding you’re struggling avoiding damage generally, or are you having a hard time finding attack windows large enough to utilize?

You’ll eventually find a trait that restores all of your lost ardor when you destroy your echo instead of just half. Wretch becomes more useful once you have that trait.

Yeah, Carven Palace was clearly the original skill gate area in the base game. Yr and Garden are both DLC areas, so their difficulty is a bit more obvious. But Carven Palace boss and the boss of the next area are among the most unique I’ve ever faced, so I hope you enjoy.

Though speaking of DLC areas, if you’ve been enjoying the jump puzzles, boy do I have an end game treat for you

Eta: Don’t know how you’re handling spoilers, but happy to tell you which enemy gives the ardor restoration trait.

Very nice. And yeah, that should help some with wretch.

Let me know when you’ve maxed out your breath. You really shouldn’t subject yourself to the Abandoned Opus until you have

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Shapely Fidus was an intense fight.

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Shapely is a very, very cool fight. Let me know when you’ve started in on the boss of the area you just unlocked. Very interesting.