Pepper Grinder Review - I Dig It

I love me a good platformer, whether is be a AAA title like the excellent Super Mario Bros. Wonder, or smaller projects like 2022's Shovel Knight Dig. Every good game in the genre needs a hook to it, and Pepper Grinder's butter-smooth drilling action might just be what gives you your next platformer fix.

Developed by Ahr Ech and published by Devolver Digital, this title puts players in the role of Pepper. Her passion for treasure leads her across the realm through multiple diverse zones. Armed with her drilling tool -- the "Grinder" -- get ready for a breezy fast, but very fun, adventure.

Ride the "Waves" in Pepper Grinder

I affectionately remember a flash game called Dolphin Olympics 2, which had players take control of a dolphin and jump through hoops to gain points. As you gain momentum and speed, your dolphin could reach all the way to space.

In a similar vein, Pepper Grinder's dolphin-like drilling mechanic reminds me of Dolphin Olympics 2's addictive, simple control scheme. Of course, Pepper Grinder's Steam page even mentions this dolphin-like way of movement -- the final product certainly delivers that feeling of freedom and playfulness.

Simple really is the word here, because Pepper Grinder isn't a complex platformer. The Grinder is certainly the star of the show, featuring a simple-yet-refined control scheme that feels way too good when put in the hands of the player. Across this platforming adventure, you'll have ample opportunity to put that Grinder to the test across increasingly challenging levels.

There are segments where you're running around and avoiding obstacles and enemies on the surface, but Pepper Grinder never forgets the Grinder is the most important tool in your arsenal. Digging around, swooping in and out, collecting treasure, and defeating enemies by propelling yourself forward is seamless and incredibly satisfying to pull off.

Pepper Grinder takes place across four separate zones, and developer Ahr Ech successfully creates an experience where every level feels fresh. Sort of like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, each level seems to have a theme to it to make it just a bit more different.

In one level early on, you'll have to contend with brambles that'll damage Pepper if you get too close, making drilling a bit tricky sometimes. Another zone is full of lava, so on top of dealing with pools of magma, some of the rock you drill through is fragile and encourages players to go fast or risk getting burned!

Other levels take DNA from games like Donkey Kong Country, and I really wouldn't be surprised if this was one of Pepper Grinder's main inspirations. A level reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country 2's Bramble Blast has Pepper blasting through cannons while avoiding enemies and collecting treasure as they propel through the air at high speeds.

Even the way Pepper Grinder approaches collectibles takes notes from Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Hidden collectibles are spread throughout and often require players to be a bit inquisitive and eagle-eyed. It's the hunt for collectibles that drove me to replay levels a few times over, completionists will adore this aspect of Pepper Grinder.

Pepper Grinder is a Brief Ride

While completionists will enjoy the hunt and aim for 100 percent completion with Pepper Grinder, I can also see this title being a hit with the speedrunning community. The speed and different shortcuts Pepper can take throughout these levels incentivize optimizing a perfect route to the finish line; and hey, there's even a level timer.

But that's where I find Pepper Grinder let me down the most: its length. Levels can be over in a flash because of how fast you're going, so it's a bit disappointing to find that there are only four separate worlds comprising four main stages, a bonus stage, and a boss. Just when Pepper Grinder got going, it finished far too soon.

Because of this short length, Pepper Grinder doesn't achieve its full potential. It throws in gimmicks in levels to make things feel fresh -- and the addition of collectibles certainly help -- but unless you're speedrunning or collecting, you're likely to move onto the next game very quickly.

The short length hinders Pepper Grinder from innovating on its mechanics. There are so many more Grinder attachments or level themes and designs that could be implemented, but as soon as you expect more, the credits hit. Just one extra area, or a few more bonus levels would have made this a more complete experience.

Pepper Grinder Review | Final Thoughts

A few other additions like cosmetics to style Pepper and a sticker book to create cute little scenes are a welcome addition, but not enough to make up for the lack of content. On top of that, I would have loved if Ahr Ech made use of the DualSense's haptic feedback, which would have been perfect for the drilling aspect of Pepper Grinder -- though, any controller works with this game.

It would be remiss not to touch on graphics and audio, which is overall excellent. I'm a sucker for pixel art, and Pepper Grinder's bright and whimsical world comes to life, even as you explore said world at high speed. The music, too, is an exciting mix of tracks that serve as a great backdrop to the chaos that Pepper and her Grinder bring.

As a shorter experience, Pepper Grinder is a bit like a rollercoaster -- exciting, but over too soon. Still, Pepper Grinder is a potent dose of adrenaline packed into game form. From start to finish, the thrill of digging through dirt and taking out foes with a giant drill is just too damn fun. With tight controls and smooth platforming, it's a must-play for fans of the genre.

Pepper Grinder was reviewed on PC with a code provided by the publisher over roughly 3 hours of gameplay. All screenshots in this review were taken by the reviewer during gameplay.