What’s more problematic fundamentally, however, is how the gameplay doesn’t have the requisite tightness and reliability to fully complement the level design it’s going for. With a charge akin to Spyro’s horned effort and a spin not unlike Crash Bandicoot to dispatch of enemies, Clive is well equipped to tackle the myriad of levels ahead, however it becomes apparent quite early that the first batch of these levels don’t particularly play well to these mechanics, and there’s a distinct feeling that everything isn’t meshing cohesively. It’s not something you’d typically subject your partner in crime to but we’ll reserve judgement in this instance. In order to thus facilitate the ultimate aim of nabbing every trinket available, Clive ‘N’ Wrench plays primarily like a combination of reference points Spyro and Crash, with the added layer of a glide mechanic by way of Clive swinging Wrench above his head in a rotor-like fashion.

Both Clive and Wrench dress appropriately for each level, too, which is a nice touch. Accessible via a centralized hub, the 11 levels range from cowboy and Egyptian themed, to a prehistoric ice age and ancient Rome, with each containing a slew of side missions that naturally involve even more collecting as well as a separate area with each containing a boss. From 100s of pocket watches, to sets of keys, and ancient coins. In practical terms, each of these areas is a sandbox of sorts, chockful of trinkets to collect in typical platformer fashion. Of course, both Clive and Wrench aren’t far behind in their chase to stop said plot from being realized and this sees them embark on a time-bending journey across different historical time periods and locales.įurther Reading – New PS5, PS4 Games Release Dates In 2023 And Beyond – All Upcoming PS5, PS4, PSVR2 Games Daucus, a Neo Cortex-esque figure who is hell bent on traversing time and space in a bid to acquire several ‘ancient stones’ which are said to grant untold power. Unsettling as that initial cut scene may be, it is worth mentioning that this game is the result of an on-and-off development cycle spanning over 10 years and led mainly by a sole developer, so it is thus reasonable to set expectations as such for a game that is aiming to be a new contender in the platformer space.Īs would be a familiar blueprint to anyone versed in the genre, Clive ‘N’ Wrench centres around our titular heroes’ efforts to stop the evil Dr. In truth, Clive ‘N’ Wrench’s first impression isn’t particularly strong, with a relatively simple story exposition by way of a muted interaction between a number of the main characters, with most exhibiting a thousand-yard stare not too dissimilar to the initial impressions of the animatronic characters that would go on to star in Five Nights at Freddy’s.

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