Item: Cricket Through the Ages
Rating: 94
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

94/100

Grindstone is the perfect 'just one more level' game. It takes the familiar 'draw a line through colors' mechanic and turns it into something incredibly violent and strategic. The animation is top-notch—there is a visceral crunch to every monster you slice through that never gets old.

What makes it special is the tactical depth. You aren't just matching; you're positioning yourself for the next turn, managing your equipment durability, and deciding if you can risk one more turn to open a chest. It's a masterclass in game design and one of the most polished titles on the App Store. It's tough, but the progression system feels fair and keeps you coming back for more.

Reviewed on: Fri Apr 12 2024

Dinsun Review

Dinsun's review: It's a joke that only lands the first time. The one-button controls are meant to be 'funny' because they're bad, and while it’s good for a five-minute laugh with a friend, there’s nothing else there. I don’t mind a short game, but this feels more like a tech demo for a physics engine than a finished product.

If you have a child or a very bored friend, you might get an hour out of it. For a serious gamer, it's just fluff. It’s well-presented, sure, but it’s the definition of 'low value' once the initial silliness wears off.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Simple to play
Funny ragdoll physics
Good for local co-op

Zero depth
Very short
Controls are intentionally frustrating

Technical Report

Performance: Flawless performance; simple enough to run on anything.

Accessibility:

One-button control

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want a quick laugh with a friend on the same screen.

Skip if: You want a game that you can actually master or play for more than an hour.

Similar Games:

QWOP
Mount Your Friends

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative gamer
Hardware: iPad Pro
Playtime: 2 hours
Status: Finished all eras

The Game

Last Update Date : Thu Jan 26 2023

Support Languages : N/A

Genres :

Version 1.0Thu Jan 26 2023

Ratings & Reviews

N/A out of 5 with 0 Counts

Age Rating 9+

Grindstone is a high-stakes puzzle game where you play as Jorj, a 'Stonegrinder' who must hack and slash through mountains of monsters. The core mechanic involves drawing a path through enemies of the same color to chain attacks. The longer the chain, the more powerful the attack and the better the rewards. With over 250 levels, deep crafting systems, and intense boss fights, Grindstone blends the satisfaction of match-3 with the visceral thrill of an action game.

Features

Addictive color-matching combat

Over 250 levels of puzzle-battling

Deep gear and potion crafting system

Weekly leaderboards and challenges

Visceral, cartoon-gore aesthetic

Gameplays

Risk and Reward

After you clear the exit, you can choose to stay and hunt for more loot. However, the longer you stay, the angrier the Creeps get, and the more likely you are to lose everything. Knowing when to quit is the key to progress.

Q&A

Grindstones are dropped during long combos. If you pass through one, you can immediately start chaining enemies of a different color, allowing for massive turns.