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.

While it has its issues, Clive ‘N’ Wrench is a charming, cheeky and fun 3D platformer that pays homage to the greats that came before it. It doesn’t even attempt to innovate, instead attempting to replicating aspects of the 90’s classics with varying degrees of success. If you’ve got fond memories of Banjo-Kazooie, this one’s aimed at you.

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.

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.

Clive 'N' Wrench might take inspiration from classic 3D platformers, but it doesn't take the best practices, resulting in a dated and at times frustrating gameplay experience.