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About Legend of Grimrock
Legend of Grimrock is an old‑school dungeon‑crawling RPG that places a condemned party of prisoners on Mount Grimrock. The mountain hides ancient tunnels, dungeons and tombs built by long‑lost civilizations, and only by descending level by level can the prisoners hope to earn freedom. The game blends real‑time tactical combat, grid‑based movement, hidden switches, traps and a heavy focus on puzzles. Players can also enable Oldschool Mode, which removes the automap for a stricter challenge, and they can customise a party of four with races, classes, skills and traits.
01 / THE GUIDE
Story premise
A group of prisoners sentenced to death are exiled to the secluded Mount Grimrock. Their captors claim the prisoners are guilty of vile crimes, but the truth is uncertain. The mountain’s interior is riddled with ancient tunnels, dungeons and tombs built by crumbled civilizations.
To see daylight again, the prisoners must form a team and descend through the mountain, level by level, confronting monsters and uncovering the mysteries that lie within.
- Compare the prisoners’ unknown guilt with classic exile narratives for thematic depth.
- Note the contrast between the modern execution and the ancient ruins for storytelling inspiration.
02 / THE GUIDE
Grid‑based movement and combat
The game uses grid‑based movement where each square represents a tactical position. Combat occurs in real time, demanding precise timing and positioning against monsters. The grid layout emphasizes spatial awareness over raw damage.
Hidden switches, pressure plates and sliding walls add layers to encounters, forcing players to consider the environment while fighting.
- Map enemy positions relative to switches before engaging.
- Use the grid to keep distance from ranged threats.
03 / THE GUIDE
Puzzle solving and exploration
Exploration is driven by puzzles that require perception and wits. Players encounter pressure plates, sliding walls, floating crystals, forgotten altars and trapdoors throughout thousands of squares.
The game rewards careful observation; many secrets are hidden behind environmental cues rather than combat strength.
- Mark discovered switches on paper to avoid missing later connections.
- Observe patterns in crystal placements for hidden pathways.
04 / THE GUIDE
Party creation and customization
Players create a party of four characters, selecting from different races, classes, skills and traits. This customization influences combat style, spellcasting and potion crafting abilities.
The variety allows players to tailor the group to preferred tactics, whether focusing on melee, magic or support roles.
- Balance melee and spellcasting to handle varied monster types.
- Allocate traits that complement puzzle interaction, such as higher perception.
05 / THE GUIDE
Oldschool Mode and automap
Oldschool Mode disables the automap, requiring players to rely on manual mapping. This mode is intended for veterans seeking an extra challenge.
The game supplies custom grid paper for those who wish to chart their progress by hand.
- Use the provided grid paper to track explored areas and avoid backtracking.
- Compare routes taken in Oldschool Mode with those in normal mode to gauge difficulty.
COMMUNITY
Player discussion