Clive 'N' Wrench

We've seen a cutesy animal protagonist duo before somewhere, haven't we? Clive 'n' Wrench is the newest pairing to arrive on the action-adventure scene. It is inspired by games of old with its nostalgic level design and old-generation visuals. Yes, this game has us curious. Why the sudden interest in reviving game styles that have long disappeared from our rosters?

The developers felt like something was missing in the world. Charming all-ages games like these are few and far between these days. That makes Clive 'n' Wrench an intriguing prospect to send us back to those days when we'd fire up our consoles on the weekends. Let's see if the game strikes that chord.

A Monkey On Your Back

Clive 'n' Wrench is your standard action-adventure 3D platformer, introducing a whole new animal brand to the genre. Clive is a rabbit, and Wrench is a monkey who is an extension of the beefed-up hare, always on your back for support. The whole premise of the game sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon, where the two heroes will time-warp in a fridge to stop the evil plans of Dr. Daucus.

Much like other old-generation animal duo platforms, you'll leverage the skills of each character, applying them to combat situations, puzzles, and obstacles where necessary. Naturally, you'll be prompted to find the perfect combo to overcome challenges such as hopping from pillar to pillar, taking down big enemies, and skipping through fire pits.

If Clive 'n' Wrench sounds old school, it's because it is. The narrative reminds us of a kids' series, the mechanics don't stray from standard 3D platformers, and the visuals are cute and colorful. But all those elements combine into what is the genius of gameplay; it's a revival of games we knew and loved from the old days.

Clive 'n' Wrench may not tickle the fancy of younger gamers. Still, it will fire up nostalgia for players who enjoy playing animal duo games. There are plenty of colorful characters to engage with, lots of silly antics, and enough challenge to keep you supremely occupied through the 11 diverse-level designs. You can't describe an old-school game more than this, where you'll have to play to understand why.

The Animal Inside

There's no denying that Clive 'n' Wrench takes passionate inspiration from games like Banjo-Kazooie, Jak & Daxter, and Crash Bandicoot. The title has all the hallmarks of their 3D platforming prowess that shot them into the eons of video game canon. This game was made to pay homage to these brilliant titles and doesn't fail to deliver, albeit lacking a bit of uniqueness.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• A classic 3D platformer reborn
• The wacky edge gives the game entertainment value
• Satisfying gameplay with decent challenges

Cons:

• The game could be longer
• It may not be for players inexperienced in the 3D platformer
• It feels the same as similar titles