Game Dev Indonesia

The Grandmaster: A Small Game That Will Get You Hooked

Muhammad Aziz Alfajri

Des 17, 2025 · 5 min read
The Grandmaster
The Grandmaster

The Grandmaster is a minimalist fighting clicker game from Beat-Fu Studio. With its unique black and white sketch visuals, one-button mechanic, and varied game modes. It’s the kind of game that keeps pulling players back again and again. Let’s talk about it!

The Master

You play as a grandmaster who refuses to pay the bill after eating at a ninja cafe. Sounds absurd? Well blame the government, taxes are too high nowadays anyway. But it’s exactly this absurdity that makes the game feel different, as if Beat-Fu Studio intentionally designed the weirdest setup just to spark your curiosity.

Once you hit Start, there’s no long cutscene explaining the backstory. No complicated dialogues about ninja clan conflicts or philosophical reasons why the grandmaster won’t pay. Everything jumps straight into action, as if the game is telling you, “Don’t overthink the plot. Just go!”

There’s no lengthy tutorial, no guided explanation of the mechanics. Just one button and your own reflexes. A small, simple little game, but clearly designed to test your instincts.

Standing Alone

Against all odds!
Against all odds!

You’ll stand on top of a tall rock with a pose that looks both serious and ridiculous at the same time. The background is plain, drawn like a pencil sketch, but the atmosphere instantly gives the impression that you’re in a situation that’s both absurd and tense.

Ninjas come from the left, right, front, and back, and your job is simply to make sure your hit lands at the exact right timing. Even though the concept sounds light, there’s a satisfying feeling every time you successfully hit a ninja within your radius. You really feel like a martial arts master whose skills are being tested.

Many Modes

Support the developer!
Support the developer!

This game demands full concentration and quick reflexes! It’s like you’re really under pressure from ninjas trying to collect your unpaid bill. One button doesn’t make the game easier! If anything, it forces you to be even more precise with your timing.

The available game modes also add variety so the rhythm never stays the same. 100 Days Mode feels like undergoing daily training. As if you’re a kungfu student facing enemies of different difficulty levels every day.

survive!
survive!

Then there’s Infinite Mode, which brings a totally different kind of intensity. Here, your goal isn’t to win, it’s simply to survive wave after wave that gets more brutal over time. Every second feels like a tiny shot of adrenaline pushing you to last just a little longer than before.

And don’t forget Challenge Mode, which throws short but annoying challenges your way. These challenges feel like extra tests to make sure you truly understand the ninjas’ attack patterns.

Also read! MPPP (Multidimensional Paper Plane Project): Folded Paper’s Exciting Adventure

Black on White

There's a unique charm to it
There’s a unique charm to it

When you first see The Grandmaster, you might wonder why Beat-Fu Studio chose a black and white sketch artstyle. But soon you’ll start to appreciate how unique it is.

Every line on the characters, every stroke, every tiny effect on a ninja’s attack looks intentionally crafted with a particular aesthetic. It brings out the antique, quirky vibe of The Grandmaster’s world. The artstyle also amplifies the humor and absurdity behind the whole concept.

Choosing this visual style also makes the gameplay feel more focused. Without flashy effects cluttering the screen, your eyes can fully concentrate on enemy positions and your punch timing.

Some players might think the graphics are too simple. But that simplicity is exactly what gives The Grandmaster its strong identity. This black and white style is a reminder that a game doesn’t need to be colorful to feel alive.

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For Those Who Want a Quick Challenge

The Grandmaster is the kind of game you open just to play for a bit, but somehow end up playing longer than planned. The gameplay is fast, compact, and extremely easy to understand.

It’s also great for players who like reflex-based challenges. Everything comes down to your ability to read ninja movements and press the button at the right moment. That’s what makes the game feel fair, nothing matters except your own skill.

Of course, The Grandmaster won’t be for everyone. Players who prefer complex combat systems may find it too minimalistic. But for those who want a short, light, yet intense experience, The Grandmaster is the perfect pick!

Play it now!

 

References:

The Grandmaster – Steam

Beat-Fu Studio – itch.io

Game Trailer

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Muhammad Aziz Alfajri

Contributing Writer

This man right here is your typical guy that you might have seen on a regular tuesday morning that you will forget about in a couple of minutes. All jokes aside, i still make the best out of things despite my ordinariness.

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