By Grit Alone is a thrilling mix of highs and lows in the VR horror genre. It’s a game brimming with creativity that’ll easily win over enthusiasts, yet it still feels like it needs one more round of refinement. Its charm and ingenuity are impossible to overlook, but I acknowledge that this roughness could frustrate some players. The game tries so hard, and sometimes succeeds brilliantly, to carve its niche within the sci-fi horror landscape, reminiscent of the iconic Dead Space. If the developers can fine-tune the balance, it could stand proudly among the greats.
So, what are we diving into here? By Grit Alone is a stationary or room-scale sci-fi horror shooter designed for VR platforms, specifically on the Quest, where I played it on the Quest 3. Developed by Crooks Peaks, it’s currently available for $18.99.
When you start, you step into the shoes of an unnamed passenger awakening from cryosleep aboard a transport vessel. The tranquility is shattered when a mishap catapults you into an anomalous part of space, a twisted version of the Bermuda Triangle. Without delay, you’re dodging errant machinery and debris, only to realize you have a knack for attracting brain-thirsty insectoid aliens. And that’s just the beginning! Picture a gothic spacecraft right out of Warhammer 40k, an alien-infested serene spa, and an inscrutable AI whose loyalties are questionable at best.
I’m not throwing around Dead Space comparisons lightly. Its influence is undeniably strong, with Antony Johnston, who penned Dead Space (2008), co-authoring this saga with Emma Beeby. Weapons here are immensely versatile—your ammo sometimes doubles as grenades, blasters shift between shotgun or marksman rifle modes depending on your grip. In certain scenarios, you must channel your inner engineer, fiddling with the ship’s systems as you’re swamped by enemies and looming dangers. The stomp attack, borrowed from Dead Space, is just as satisfying here and comes in handy beyond just squashing alien baddies.
In a fun twist, they’ve taken the infamous turret sequences from the original Dead Space and made them actually enjoyable! This clever balancing act between homage and originality is what makes By Grit Alone stand out.
Exploring multiple spaceships is a delightful surprise. It’s not a single storyline but rather an anthology of eerie tales, each setting more bizarre than the last. Okay, not every scene hits the mark, but you’re always swept along by the subplot involving Grace Grayson—one tenacious and unlucky government tax agent. Grace begins just trying to bust a cult for tax evasion and ends up a battle-hardened hero steering survivors to safety. While your in-game self remains silent, Grace more than makes up for it with her engaging audio logs. The broader cast delivers some of the finest performances, and the playable, room-sized holo recordings add a touch of interactivity, breaking up the solitude with glimpses of past events.
From the world it builds to its evocative level design and pacing, By Grit Alone knows what makes a great horror game tick. The soundtrack complements the eerie atmosphere superbly, catching even veteran players off-guard with its jump scares and tense moments. It manages this with surprisingly minimalistic graphics that nonetheless leave a strong impact. If only the game’s difficulty didn’t sometimes necessitate using an invincibility toggle to maintain enjoyment.
By Grit Alone clearly caters to VR veterans. There are options to alleviate motion sickness, like adjustable turn rates and a limited vignette setup, but those not used to VR’s demands might find it challenging. Expect a lot of turning. You can switch controls to suit either hand dominance, and your weapons adapt to either hand.
While you can play it sitting down, I’d suggest standing up and physically crouching when needed. It amps up the immersion and helps you navigate trickier spots like vent passages faster.
For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, there’s an invincibility option to toggle on and off as you wish. It’s handy for ensuring you can savor the narrative without getting overwhelmed or stalled. You can also unlock all content from the get-go if certain sections prove too challenging.
Some might frown upon an invincibility option in a horror setting, but I understand why it’s here. By Grit Alone can be crushingly difficult at times, likely unintentionally. You’ll face a swift onslaught from a variety of foes, from buzzing flyers to colossal charging beasts, that can corner you in no time.
As much as the tactic of stomping adds depth, it doesn’t resolve the irritation of flyers spitting acid from just out of sight, quickly depleting your health. Mid-fight healing isn’t an option, with wall-mounted health stations staging brief, one-time relief.
Some set pieces seem designed with unnecessary brutality. One boss fight involving a sentient, infected organ (yes, it’s as bizarre as it sounds) seems crafted for co-op play with its complex juggling act. Even a mad dash from a razor-toothed worm into explosive mines is unforgivingly swift.
That’s where By Grit Alone stumbles. Individually, these elements should have been exhilarating, but they misfire just enough to cross from fun to frustrating. Five failed attempts at a set piece left me reaching for that invincibility toggle, disheartened by the need to do so, since there’s evident creativity in each boss and set piece. The distinctive scenarios are visually and mechanically inventive, with outstanding sound design and orchestral scores—they just need a touch more lenience.
When invincibility is on, challenges remain. It doesn’t allow you to breeze through enemies scot-free, and the engaging puzzles still require attention and strategy to solve. What invincibility does is afford peace of mind against having to restart just because a sneaky spider caught your leg. It’s a true blessing in perhaps the least enjoyable part, which turns into a strange, puzzle-like escapade on a research ship.
I appreciate efforts to diversify gameplay, and earlier alien deathtraps create genuine suspense, but the science ship’s sentry turrets veer towards unpredictability. The shield ability is a dicey countermeasure, as it’s unreliable to activate and not particularly entertaining.
Happily, that’s the lone mechanical letdown. Interacting with the world is a tactile delight. The game’s tracking is impressive, the weapons feel great, and even grenade tossing proves reliable.
Final Verdict: By Grit Alone sets its tone immediately and doesn’t let up, dragging you through an immersive and sometimes unforgiving journey. The low-poly visuals and texture quality may not be groundbreaking, but the ambiance, lighting, and shadows get it right. The storyline ends on a cliffhanger, with free DLC hinted at, suggesting the tale has more to unfold. Despite its often punishing combat, the craftsmanship means accepting a few hits is worthwhile to see it through.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been so captivated by a horror game like By Grit Alone. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but I’m eager to see where this journey continues—be it via DLC or a sequel. However, as a stand-alone experience, it’s a compelling plunge into the abyss that’s well worth embarking on.
