Foot to the Face: A First Look at GLUM

Melee combat often feels clumsy and monotonous in a first-person perspective. But GLUM, an Early Access title from indie developer CinderCat Games, is out to challenge that convention. With responsive mechanics and a mischievous sense of humor, it drops players into a fantasy realm where guns are rare, blades are plentiful, and gratuitous bloodshed is generously rewarded. It’s definitely shaping up to be my kind of game.

One of the biggest hurdles for melee-focused first-person games is creating combat that feels both nuanced and satisfying. Too often, close-quarters brawls devolve into a dull rhythm of swinging and sidestepping, as players try to avoid enemy counterattacks. GLUM’s titular goblin evades this trap with a mighty kick that boasts impressive range. Sure, you might get stabbed if you let enemies close the gap, but with a bit of timing, GLUM’s fast and forceful boot can interrupt foes, sending them flying. Charging the attack adds a satisfying layer of ragdoll knock-back for extra enjoyment.

After completing the game’s interactive tutorial, you’ll find yourself in an environment brimming with puntable objects, boxes, barrels, and even chickens—that all can be weaponized. Smartly, GLUM gives you control over the pace of combat. You’re often encouraged to scope out your surroundings and set up opportunities to knock down multiple enemies at once. Aim your kicks just right, and you can send adversaries sailing into spiked coffins or pitchfork-rigged haystacks. These over-the-top finishers not only score you bonus points—they often drop green globules that restore your goblin’s health.

Even if GLUM stopped there, it would still be a compelling experience. But CinderCat layers in additional, deliciously sadistic mechanics. You can lift fallen enemies and punt them into other foes, toss environmental objecte, or even fire your boot like a rocket launcher – flattening armored foes in one shot. With jumping, dashing, and green, glowing launch pads enhancing your mobility, the game never feels sluggish or restricted.

Currently, GLUM offers only a single but impressively large playground for your goblin chaos. It’s a space that includes sewer tunnels, rooftops, raised walkways, and a towering central structure adorned with circling crows. The game runs smoothly on an RTX 2060 laptop, but both the Steam Deck and ROG Ally struggle once you exit the tutorial and enter the open world.

If CinderCat can improve performance and provide additional maps that contribute even more creative trap-filled set pieces, GLUM could evolve from a promising curiosity into a cult-favorite action title. For now, it’s a gleeful little sandbox of mayhem—and one well worth watching.