With some post-launch support and refinements, By Grit Alone could evolve into something more substantial, but as it stands, it's an interesting if flawed experiment in VR space horror
Space horror has always been a fascinating genre, and By Grit Alone attempts to bring that tension and dread into virtual reality. This sci-fi horror shooter from Crooks Peak offers an intriguing premise that, while showing moments of brilliance, struggles to fully realize its potential.
By Grit Alone takes an anthology approach to its narrative, with each derelict ship you visit telling its own contained horror story. You'll explore everything from a gothic cathedral ship that wouldn't look out of place in a far-future religious horror to an alien-infested day spa. Each location promises unique tales of terror and mystery and to a point, it delivers.
However, this anthology structure, while interesting, creates a disconnect in the overall narrative. The game never really establishes who you are or provides any clear motivations for your actions. You're simply there, moving from ship to ship, piecing together fragments of stories through audio logs and holographic recreations. The lack of subtitles during these narrative moments is particularly frustrating, as trying to follow the plot while fending off alien hordes becomes an exercise in divided attention.
By Grit Alone is a relatively short experience, which might affect its value proposition at full price. The game's length feels appropriate for its structure, but the lack of cohesive narrative threads connecting the individual ship stories leaves you wanting more substantial world-building and plot development. I believe the story is not done yet, as there are some hints that the story will continue in future updates, but it is not a good sign that the story is not complete at launch.
The core gameplay loop is straightforward but somewhat limited. Your primary weapon is a modular weapon that functions as both a shotgun and rifle, depending on whether you're wielding it with one or two hands. While this dual-functionality sounds promising, you will likely stick to the one-handed shotgun mode, as it proves more effective in most situations.
Combat itself is relatively simple. Enemies follow basic AI patterns, usually charging straight at you with little tactical variety. This straightforward approach to enemy behavior can make regular encounters feel repetitive and lacking in strategic depth.
The difficulty curve is notably uneven, with sudden spikes that can lead to frequent deaths. The developers seem aware of this issue, as they've included an optional invincibility mode that can help you push through particularly challenging sections. While purists might balk at such an option, it's a welcome inclusion that helps maintain the flow of the experience. I tried a couple of times to play without it during these hard moments, but after a while dying became too much and I just had to use the invincibility mode.
However, the boss fights stand as the game's highlight, showing genuine creativity in their design. The battle against a flesh-infested church organ, in particular, stands out as a uniquely memorable encounter that demonstrates what the game can achieve when it pushes its creative boundaries. This and also the final boss fight are moments of innovation that make you wish the rest of the combat encounters shared the same level of imaginative design.
The game's visual presentation is functional but modest, utilizing low-poly graphics that get the job done without pushing any technical boundaries. The lighting and atmosphere do manage to create some effective moments of tension, even with the limited graphical fidelity.
Normally, sound design plays a crucial role in horror games, but By Grit Alone's audio work is a mixed bag. While the atmospheric sounds can effectively build tension, the lack of proper spatial audio can sometimes make it difficult to locate threats, leading to frustrating encounters.
By Grit Alone shows flashes of brilliance, particularly in its boss encounters and individual ship stories. The anthology format presents interesting possibilities, but the disconnected narrative and lack of character context prevent it from reaching its full potential. The core gameplay mechanics, while functional, could benefit from more depth and variety in both combat and enemy behavior.
Despite its shortcomings, there's something intriguing about By Grit Alone's approach to space horror in VR. The creative boss fights and unique settings demonstrate that the developers have good ideas - they just need more refinement in execution. With some post-launch support and refinements, By Grit Alone could evolve into something more substantial, but as it stands, it's an interesting if flawed experiment in VR space horror. While the full price might be hard to justify, the game becomes a more attractive proposition during sales, especially for fans of sci-fi horror looking for a new VR experience. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a Quest 3 via a promo copy provided by PR. By Grit Alone is available on Meta Quest.
