Death isn’t the end for Avelin – it’s the start of a rather brutal new career.
Grim Trials is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch for £16.74, combining heavy metal attitude with Hades-styled action roguelite combat as one unfortunate young woman attempts to become a Reaper and reunite with the person she loves.
At A Glance
- Game: Grim Trials
- Developer: Rolling Glory Jam
- Publisher: Soft Source Pte
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Price: £16.74
Welcome To The Afterlife
Avelin’s journey into the afterlife isn’t exactly what she had planned. After dying young, she finds herself recruited into the ranks of Death’s Reapers, with a simple-sounding job – hunt down impure souls and prove herself worthy of becoming a full-fledged Reaper.
There is, however, a rather more personal reason to keep fighting. Avelin’s love is still alive, and she intends to find her way back to them.
That gives Grim Trials an emotional thread beneath all the bloodshed, monsters and heavy metal. Every death is another step towards becoming stronger, gathering materials and learning how to survive the next trial.
Build Your Reaper Your Way
Combat takes place across hex-grid arenas filled with monsters, traps and sinful souls, with seven bosses standing between Avelin and her ultimate goal.
Her main weapons are the scythe and crossbow, and Grim Trials encourages you to master both rather than simply sticking to one approach. Weapons and equipment can be crafted and customised using materials collected during your runs, while an expansive skill tree lets you develop Avelin before heading back into battle.
Then there are the Blessings of the Gods of Death, with randomised options appearing during runs. Combining those Blessings with your equipment and skills gives each attempt plenty of scope for experimentation.
Death Is Just Another Part Of The Journey
As you would expect from a roguelite, Avelin isn’t going to survive every expedition. The important part is that dying doesn’t mean starting completely from scratch.
Experience and materials earned during a failed run stay with her, allowing each attempt to contribute towards future progress. Fight, fall, learn and return stronger – eventually turning previous failures into the tools needed to overcome the next challenge.
Then, away from the arenas, The Academy provides a quieter side to the adventure. Here, Avelin can meet mentors, take on quests, build relationships and learn more about the characters who inhabit Death’s world.
Grim Trials certainly isn’t shy about its musical identity either. The entire experience is wrapped in a heavy metal aesthetic, with its chaotic combat and underworld setting designed to complement the soundtrack.
A Roguelite With A Heart Beneath The Armour
Grim Trials has all the ingredients you’d expect from a dark action roguelite – dangerous arenas, custom builds, crafting, bosses and plenty of reasons to try another run. But Avelin’s determination to get back to the person she loves gives all that repetition a little more purpose.
At £16.74 from the Xbox Store, playable on Xbox Series X|S (other digital stores are available), this is one death metal gig where dying repeatedly is very much part of the admission price. The question is whether Avelin can survive enough Grim Trials to earn her way back to the living.
