Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 79 | 115 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 86% | 80 | 636 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 65 | 18 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 84% | 78 | 925 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 19, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 925 total reviews in window · weighted 140.5 up / 14 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (88)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Pepper Grinder is a platformer that wears its inspiration on its sleeve, with collectibles, checkpoints, and more in tow. It adds a unique spin to the formula with the addition of a drill mechanic, creating a fun-yet-tough experience that's satisfying to conquer. It's not a super-long game, but the challenge will keep you busy for some time regardless.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Pepper Grinder is exactly the game you turn on when you have a long moment and get everything you want. No complicated story, short and quick levels in cute graphics, while you can always go back and hone your skills to perfection. The different game mechanics can spice up the experience of each level, but they get boring very quickly and then lose their charm. Plus, it's a relatively short game that you'll quickly devour, unless you're trying to play everything at 100%. That will take a while.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“With Pepper Grinder, Ahr Ech proposes a creative gameplay, where using a drill we will have to make our way through a frenetic platform adventure. A title that offers enough variety to stay away from boredom and that doesn't feel repetitive at any time.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Pepper Grinder is a wonderfully inventive and fun platformer that no fan of the genre will want to miss out on. It may have a runtime that feels a little too short, but this is ultimately a deeply enjoyable, challenging, and highly replayable game with lots of personality. If you think you'd be interested, we'd suggest you pick up Pepper Grinder at the next opportunity (and there's a even downloadable demo if you're on the fence).”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Pepper Grinder is a platforming gem, a masterclass in taking one simple mechanic and stretching it as far as you possibly can in one tight package. Ahr Ech built this game to be as satisfying as possible. It appeals to platforming fans of all types equally (speedrunners and completionists together), and it stands as a testament to the value of not overcomplicating things. By evoking the simplicity and no frills approach of platforming greats, Pepper Grinder keeps the focus on its best bits and will undoubtedly drill down into your heart the minute you hop in.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Pepper Grinder is a fun title with fluid and precise movement that makes its platforming and puzzle satisfying to clear. I'm a bit disappointed that the game is so short, as I feel like there could be more ideas and mechanics to explore here.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“At a $15 price tag, it feels like a light weekend thing, something you can drill through in a few nights of idle play and then pick up again whenever you have a hankering for something similar. That’s… what it wants to be. And so I have to kind of give it up for that. There are frustration points, sure, but if you like this style of platformer it simultaneously doesn’t feel like something that’s been done a dozen times before and is fun to play start to finish. Not every game manages that.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“With great controls, a decent learning curve, and fun levels and lovely aesthetics, Pepper Grinder fills in the short-but-sweet arcade gaming niche that we love out of a twitch-based indie offering. Drill out!”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Thanks to Riv Hester's diligence, Pepper Grinder succeeds mechanically, creatively, and visually. It could do with better unlockables and would certainly benefit from a longer running time, but overall it hits the right marks.”
read full review ↗ - 88
“An absolute banger of a wildly different take on platforming, though if you’re challenge averse it may be overwhelming”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Pepper Grinder is a short little platformer that delivers a satisfying gameplay concept, but it can take time to grasp the full mechanics due to the fast speed and slight unpredictability of where Pepper will move during and after the drilling process. The slower speed option can help alleviate the issues, but those that take the time to master it will be rewarded with a fast-paced adventure with plenty of secrets to discover. Speedrunners will get a lot of purchase out of this one, but it isn't without its problems when dealing with frustrating combat and bosses. Thankfully, the short length balances things out, ensuring Pepper Grinder ends before it gets too tedious.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pepper Grinder is exactly why I'm now more interested in independent games than AAA. The idea of a simple mechanic that is extremely well exploited during a complete game appeals to me more than superior graphics or a never-ending story. Mind you, I'm not saying one is better than the other, but the important thing in any case is to pay attention to the little details and have fun. And that's exactly what I had with Pepper Grinder. A more than enjoyable adventure, a quality time and a final impression good enough for me to recommend it to those around me. And I think that's what makes a game a good game.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
INDIANTVCZ
La Orden del Pixel
Nintendo Life
video games are good
Fun Factor
Gamer Escape
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VGChartz
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Cubed3
Geeks & Com…and 76 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Pepper Grinder Update #1 is LiveApr 19, 2024significant · resets scoring window