ROUNDUP
PEPPER GRINDER
Developer Ahr Ech Publisher Devolver Digital Format PC, Switch Origin US Release 2023
Following the superb Olija – and the forthcoming Gunbrella, for that matter – here’s yet another Devolver-published pixel-art action-platformer in which your primary weapon doubles as a useful means to traverse terrain. Happily, this spiritual successor to Game Freak’s Drill Dozer looks every bit as good as those two: as treasure hunter Pepper, you’ll use your spiral-grooved drill Grinder to chew through dirt (and enemies), hoist flags, and even pilot a robot mech as you seek to reclaim your lost loot. And if you need a little extra firepower, you can always slot it into a minigun, spraying bullets around with gleeful abandon.