Free Steam game is an awesome 88% rated platformer with Hollow Knight charm

In a couple of months time, our wallets are really going to feel the pinch as the pre Grand Theft Auto VI rush gets underway.

That game alone could set you back $99.99 if you opt for the Ultimate Version. And Silent Hill Townfall, Control Resonant, Marvel’s Wolverine, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Gears of War: E-Day, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare VI are also all on the way.

To save some money in the meantime, you might want to pick up Fleck & Grus, an awesome new platformer from DigiPen Europe-Bilbao that’s totally free on Steam.

Fleck & Grus should appeal to fans of Hollow Knight, albeit offering a slightly easier experience.

You see, Fleck & Grus isn’t a metroidvania so there’s not much in the way of combat, but the game’s 2D art style is reminiscent of what Hollow Knight offers, plus you’ll need to execute the same kind of precision platforming.

DigiPen Europe-Bilbao

“Help Grus escort his friend Fleck safely back to his hometown in this fast-paced precision platformer,” begins the synopsis.

“Navigate tight levels packed with tricky jumps, bouncing mechanics, and deadly hazards. Stay sharp, react quickly, and master each challenge to survive the journey.”

By all accounts, Fleck is the son of Atlantis with a giant kraken threatening to flood the world if Fleck isn’t taken home before sunset.

I’ll admit that the synopsis is a bit odd, but we’re going to roll with it.

There are tons of biomes to explore as you progress through Fleck & Grus and get closer and closer to Atlantis, from swamps to the mighty city itself.

Eventually, you’ll even get the chance to face off against the monstrous kraken so while Fleck & Grus isn’t combat heavy, as mentioned, there are a couple of cool combat encounters.

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Fleck & Grus is perfect for fans of Super Mario Odyssey or Celeste too, gamers say

The game is completely free to enjoy on PC storefront Steam with an impressive rating of 88%, correct at the time of writing.

“I love the controls, the visuals are amazing, this game is AWESOME,” wrote one happy player.

“I think this game has great potential for speedrunning, like Super Mario Odyssey or Celeste, thanks to its good movement and the possibility to skip and optimise certain areas. Even though the game’s controls are awkward (you can hold A to parry), it's a really good game, especially considering its free and short,” added another.

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It shouldn’t take you too long to work through Fleck & Grus with most reviewers having around three hours under their belts.

It was actually made by a group of students so by checking it out, you’re supporting the next generation of devs - and if platformers aren’t for you, Steam has plenty of other free treats to keep your wallet in your pocket where it belongs.