A chaining puzzle that becomes a hypnotic loop. Drawing the longest possible chain of monsters is plainly satisfying, and the weapon and gear progression keeps the carrot dangling. Perfect in short sessions.
Your verdict
Category
Puzzle1 player7+
Description
A burly warrior crosses colourful grids by linking same-coloured monsters to slay them in ever-longer chains. Published by Capybara, released worldwide in 2021. Strategic path-drawing across a grid, gear and upgrades to unlock, hundreds of levels and offbeat humour.
Grindstone review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Linking same-colored monsters into ever-longer chains triggers a hypnotic loop, and the gesture stays crisp on touchscreen or pad alike. The weapon and gear layer keeps the carrot dangling without weighing down the pace. Repetitive over long stretches, yet built for short sessions, it keeps a bite that hasn't dulled.
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Linking same-coloured creatures into ever-longer chains, watching the grid collapse in cascades, then slamming a boss: this puzzle-combat hook delivers instant, legible satisfaction. You roll through stages to forge better gear, unlock recipes and chase the perfect combo. A single round fits in a coffee break, yet the urge to beat your own score launches another at once. The system's clarity keeps it as catchy as ever. One small caveat: combo-hunting can become a goal in itself, enough to make you lose track of time.
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾0,3 GB📅15/04/2021
Published by Capybara
Grindstone (Nintendo Switch) price, value & rarity
Born on Apple Arcade before reaching consoles, this puzzle-RPG long suffered from launching on a service few players frequented. Yet its premise is wildly addictive: link same-colored monsters into ever-longer chains to slay them, balancing route strategy with gear progression. The offbeat humor and Capybara's slick cartoon style crown it all. Easy to pick up, hard to put down, it's the perfect companion for short sessions and fans of clever puzzlers.
Is Grindstone still worth playing in 2026?
Under its harmless match-three looks, Grindstone hides an action puzzle of fearsome snap. Linking same-color monsters into ever longer chains gives instant satisfaction, and the gear layer adds real progression. The offbeat tone and lively cartoon style give it strong personality. The structure does grow repetitive over time, and some levels overstay. But as a tactical bite to savor in sessions, it remains one of the best of its kind. Still as addictive as ever.
