Stepping into Grimoire Groves felt like entering a storybook world full of magic and possibility — but don’t be fooled, it can quickly turn into a grind. The game pulls you in with its pretty garden and quirky characters, promising the chance to become a real witch. Yet, after the initial charm wears off, you’re left facing a steady stream of fetch quests and resource gathering.
While a good run can be pretty satisfying, the repetitive roguelike mechanics often tested my patience. I found myself wondering whether I was casting spells out of genuine fun or just slogging through the same routine over and over.
A Garden in Ruins and a Family in Disarray
Primrose arrives at Grimoire Groves eager to earn her witching licence under the watchful eye of her mentor, Lavender. What should be a peaceful apprenticeship quickly turns into a restoration project, as Lavender’s once-thriving garden lies in ruins. The elemental spirits who once called the garden home have scattered, leaving the Groves lifeless.
At the heart of the garden’s downfall is a sibling rivalry between the four elemental spirits: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Their bond was fractured when Earth’s self-doubt led to a heated dispute over a shared pair of Rainbow Socks, once passed between them throughout the changing seasons — very serious stuff!
With the spirits at odds, the garden’s energy became unbalanced, driving the plants and residents away. It’s up to Primrose to reunite the spirits, restore the garden’s harmony, and help Grimoire Groves blossom once again.
READ MORE: Honouring a Vision: Afterlove EP and the Legacy of Fahmi
Cosy or Rogue Gameplay
Grimoire Groves’ roguelike structure, with procedurally generated “forest” runs, sets the stage for a cosy yet strategic game. As you gather resources, plant new seeds in Lavender’s garden and complete quests, the world slowly unfurls. New spells sprout through the magical skill tree, while leftover materials are composted into a pungent currency to buy useful potions from the quirky NPCs.
Combat blends magic with horticulture in an unusal twist. Instead of defeating enemies, you plant them with a magical watering can and harvest their leftover materials to upgrade your abilities. Primrose’s spells are tied to the elemental spirits, each colour-coded to match certain enemy types.
Quick reflexes and fast spell-swapping are essential, especially during colour-shifting boss battles. Fail to use the right spell and Primrose’s energy drains, leaving her vulnerable to suffocating “hugs” that disrupt the fight.
Unfortunately, Grimoire Groves can seem like you’re caught in an endless loop. Gathering enemy materials becomes a tiresome chore, with some runs yielding little more than frustration. Side quests drain resources needed for the main story, turning what should be a magical journey into a grind.
The sheer number of quests quickly becomes overwhelming, made worse by the game’s lack of direction, turning progression into a guessing game. I spent countless runs trying to find and plant a specific seed in the garden, but the enemy I needed never appeared.
Without guidance, I found myself monotonously collecting materials whilst upgrading the garden without any clear sense of direction or progress. The game clearly wants players to take their time and rebuild slowly, but a few well-placed hints would have eased the frustration.
Graphics: Rooted in Colour, But Lacking Depth
Grimoire Groves’ character design has delightful cartoonish appeal, evoking the whimsical style of shows like Adventure Time and She-Ra. With vibrant, poppy colours and a hand-drawn aesthetic, the characters have a playful, almost enchanted feel. The backgrounds are equally lovely, bursting with detail and subtle lighting effects that help bring the world to life.
Sadly though, each new area is mostly distinguished by a different colour palette, with the core design staying the same. Enemy designs often feel recycled, as many foes are just reimaginings of their basic type. The creepy, hugging Pikmin-like creatures add a quirky touch to the environments but lack the variety that could’ve made each new “forest” feel more distinct.
While a hand-drawn journal that tracks characters, seeds, and enemies, is a lovely addition, the lack of fresh elements in each area did not motivate me to complete it. The game rewards curiosity, but the feeling of discovery is somewhat hindered by the limited novelty in each new environment.
READ MORE: Review | Two Point Museum: ‘Two Point Addiction’ (PC)
Sound: Melodies that Grow on You
The music and sound effects complement the visuals and enhance the atmosphere of the game. These dreamlike, cosy tunes fit seamlessly into the background, though they’re not particularly memorable.
Characters also don’t speak, but their expressive babbling adds a Banjo-Kazooie-esque warmth to further bring the world to life. Though, the real standout is when little voices accompany the music, evoking LocoRoco’s playful energy.
Sound effect, like the satisfying chime when casting the right spell on an enemy, tie the gameplay together; they add tactile feedback that makes the experience feel more immersive without overshadowing the action.
Enchanting Yet Exhausting: A Magical Journey That Tests Patience
Grimoire Groves offers a unique blend of strategic combat and resource management, with its procedurally generated “forest” runs and evolving magical skill tree. The dynamic nature of spell-swapping based on the elemental spirits adds an engaging layer of depth, especially during boss battles where fast reflexes are key.
However, the game can quickly feel repetitive, as the constant grind for resources and mandatory fetch quests to unlock story progression can become tiresome. The cosy atmosphere is appealing, but the rigid progression dampens the sense of discovery.
Despite its rough edges, Grimoire Groves has the potential to captivate players who enjoy a slower-paced, strategic experience. It’s a game that asks for patience, sometimes too much, but those willing to weather the grind will find a rewarding, albeit imperfect, journey through a whimsical world.
Grimoire Groves is available now on Steam on May 5th 2025.
A review copy of Grimoire Groves was supplied to Quest Daily for the purpose of this review.
