Grimind is a 2D platformer developed by Paweł Mogiła, and is his first game using the new Szamanengine engine. After watching the gameplay trailer I am eager to get my hands on the finished product.

Players control an anonymous hero who is confronted by unexplained enemies as he explores. The game’s intent is to place the player into an unfamiliar and very creepy environment where traversing through levels becomes not only a matter of figuring out what is going on, but discovering who the character is as well. Like all 2D platformers, the objective consists of traversing through stages of various difficulties and tackling new challenges as you progress.

Grimind takes place within an unmapped cave system in which light is scarce and terror is high.  Paweł creates the spooky ambiance of the game by creating very dark gameplay in which manipulation of light can cause effects that range from revealing unseen pits, to repelling hostile creatures. Grimind makes an emphasis on game physics throughout the environment and factors such as friction and buoyancy are fun to interact with and require some mastering in order to progress throughout the game. The sounds of the game bring the eeriness full circle. Random rattles and knocks lend a sense of uneasiness and angst amongst players throughout the experience. The background music can be considered hypnotic, but effectively adds an apprehensive nature to the gameplay.

Paweł has kept a consistent and informative blog for his game. The blog not only offers updates concerning the game, but also provides an in-depth look at the creative process for the making of Grimind. In addition, the blog allows players to download an alpha version of the game. I encourage everyone to check out the alpha version of Grimind before the finished product is available. The official website for Grimind has been finalized as well. While no official release date has been announced for Grimind, it is projected to be available sometime at the end of 2012 and will be available for PC, Mac and Linux.

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