Grim Trials is an action roguelite RPG that blends heavy metal aesthetics with deep weapon crafting and permanent progression systems. Players take on the role of Avelin, a young woman who dies and joins the ranks of Death's Reapers in a personalized underworld. The game emphasizes single-player runs where combat, resource gathering, and build experimentation drive the experience on PS5.
Gameplay
Core combat revolves around dual-wielding a scythe and crossbow across hex-grid arenas packed with monsters, traps, and sinful souls. The system rewards precise positioning and timing, as players switch between melee slashes and ranged shots to exploit enemy weaknesses. Seven sacrilegious bosses serve as major checkpoints, each demanding adaptation of weapon combos and positioning.
Materials collected from fallen foes feed into crafting sessions back at the Academy. Players work with mentors to forge upgraded scythes, crossbows, armor pieces, and consumables that carry forward across attempts. An expansive skill tree lets players allocate points at the start of each run, while randomized Blessings from various Gods of Death appear mid-run to further shape loadouts.
Exploration of the Academy hub adds layers beyond combat. Interactions with other Reapers and mentors unlock quests that strengthen relationships, reveal backstories of the dead, and grant access to new support options or knowledge that influences future trials.
Game Modes
The game centers on a roguelite structure of repeated runs through procedurally influenced hex-grid arenas. Each attempt ends in death or victory against the bosses, with earned experience and materials persisting to strengthen Avelin permanently. This loop encourages experimentation with different equipment combinations and skill investments rather than one-time completion.
No separate multiplayer or co-op modes exist. All progression and customization stay tied to the single-player campaign of enduring trials to earn full Reaper status. The randomized elements in Blessings and arena layouts ensure each run presents fresh tactical challenges even after multiple completions.
Customization and Builds
Equipment crafting forms the backbone of personalization. Players mix and match crafted weapons and armor with skill tree choices made before every run, then layer on the mid-run Blessings to create synergistic effects. This approach supports varied playstyles, from aggressive close-range scythe focus to hybrid ranged setups that leverage crossbow utility.
The system avoids rigid classes. Instead, it rewards iterative refinement as materials accumulate and mentors provide new crafting options. Successful builds often hinge on balancing damage output with survivability against the trap-filled arenas and boss patterns.
Is It Worth Playing?
Grim Trials suits players who enjoy action roguelites with strong emphasis on crafting loops and build variety. The permanent progression on death reduces frustration while the dual-weapon combat and hex-grid arenas provide consistent tactical depth. Previews highlight the heavy metal tone and underworld setting as distinctive elements that set it apart from similar titles.
Availability of public demos allows direct testing of the core systems before full release. Those drawn to single-player experiences centered on repeated runs, equipment experimentation, and narrative threads about loss and determination will find the most alignment with the game's design. The title remains in active development with ongoing demo feedback cycles shaping its final form.
