Clive 'N' Wrench

Clive 'n' Wrench is a true love letter to the great platform games of the 90's, mixing all that was best in them. Simple, captivating, extremely fun and with an addictive soundtrack, it ends up being a must play for fans of the genre. Even with problems, Clive 'n' Wrench manages to show a lot of potential and, above all, transports us back to the golden age of the genre.

Playing Clive ‘N’ Wrench certainly isn’t a smooth experience, but perhaps that’s what the quintessential 90s platformer is all about. I oftentimes felt lost and frustrated by the game’s lack of instruction and difficulty that I was forced to take time away, but those inviting 3D worlds just kept drawing me back in. Clive ‘N’ Wrench isn’t just a warp through space and time. It was a journey into my own childhood nostalgia. If you stick around for the journey, you’ll be rewarded for your perseverance. I worry though that Clive ‘N’ Wrench may be too lacking in fluidity and intrigue for those who fail to notice its tributes and inspirations.

I can tell that there was a lot of love put into Clive ‘N’ Wrench, and this is impossible to ignore. It’s an amazing feat to make a game, especially one as complex as this one, but even still, there are many areas where Clive ‘N’ Wrench falls flat. There are moments of greatness, such as in the well-crafted platforming sections, but overall it’s an underwhelming experience with lacklustre animation and a soundtrack that fails to impress.

Despite its rough edges and myriad of issues, the heart that's present at the centre of Clive ‘N' Wrench is evident throughout, and it's safe to say that this is a labour of love and homage to a genre that enjoyed its peak around 25 years ago. And while there is praise to be had in certain respects - indeed, fans of the genre may well find some merit here - Clive ‘N' Wrench is ultimately a little too raw and unevenly cooked to be put on the pedestal alongside its famed influences.

It’s a shame as there’s charm to this time travel adventure. Cartoony takes on all the usual suspects – a haunted graveyard, a wild west town, pirate ships, and so on – are pleasing to hop around. While many jokes fall flat, often thanks to stiff animation, some do elicit a chuckle (vampire boss Vlad The Impala, for instance, is a terrific pun). But sadly this platformer doesn’t quite stick the landing. [Issue#25, p.83]

The most unique thing that Clive ‘N’ Wrench has going for it is its focus on speed and its wider pool of moves, which doesn’t feel like a defining feature. How much that bothers you is going to depend on what you go into Clive ‘N’ Wrench expecting. If you’re hoping that it’s going to revolutionise or build upon the collect-a-thon platforming genre, you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re just looking for a simple, nostalgic adventure that calls back to the platforming days of old, then you’ll Clive ‘N’ Wrench might be worth grabbing a backpack for, but its dated design makes it a tough recommendation for anyone other than the genre diehards.