Games

Interactive fairy tales with a mud factor: What happens when a most powerful dwarf becomes disgusted with all the “happy endings"? You can find out about that in American McGee's computer game Grimm.

Bloodless romance, blind obedience, insipid weddings, unearned wealth, unmerited praise, and undeserved good fortune - who the hell can stand this stuff? A lot of people get it anyway, so: "Let's put an end to this nonsense!" Plus, I know just who'll help you do it! Let's be honest: Fairy tales really aren't nice at all, don't you think? When the moral of a story is presented to the readers, it ususally comes in the form of various horrific means and measures, so that we shall not forget ... well, "the moral"! Hänsel falls into the hands of child-eating witch and Sleeping Beauty obviously is in a coma due to consumption of unknow "stuff". Rumpelstilskin is the victim of a beautifully cunning impostress and the King in his brand new clothes obviously is an exhibitionist, while Snow White is being displaced, stalked and cunningly attacked by her step mother all because she's pretty?... oh my! NOT pretty.

Maybe that's why this guy "Grimm" also thinks fairy tales shouldn't teach morals in a nice and proper way. Who wants amusement anyway, when something elementary can be learned? Of course his views are slightly darker than most people's, but still - that's probably why many game player can relate. And, as you will soon find out during gamplay: Grimm is very effective doing his job, dismantling the pretty. You should get on swell.

When Grimm completely takes over the fairy tale world, to disrupt its horrible fluffiness, not one enchanted frog prince stays safe. With his magic tricks, he goes about his business quite effectively, transforming everything and everyone near him into a dark and cynical version of their former selves.

Grimm was originally published in 2009 on GameTap where its 23 episodes featured on a weekly basis, just like a real TV show. Now the game's 23 episodes are collected in three volumes and have been moved over to American McGee's distributing network at Spicy World (spicyworld.spicyhorse.com) and Steam (store.steampowered.com) where you can buy and download each story, the volumes, or even the complete package of 23.

So if you are ready to run around and make things dirty, get going! And keep at it, because the longer Grimm goes on a rampage, the more he will level-up his dirt throwing capacity as well as his radius. And take note: Just like in real life, “cleaners” will try to undo your filth, but as they are mostly very slow AND lazy -- you will soon knock them out.

Also watch “The Light Theater” to get prepared for your job in each of the 30minutes episodes: The prequel to each mission brings up the soon-to-follow tale in its horribly cute version, so you'll know what exactly it is, you will have to ruin.

Please, feel free to “make stuff STINKY!” and Butt Stomp away in American McGees Grimm! It's fun!