Clive 'N' Wrench
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Clive 'N' Wrench Trailers
Clive 'N' Wrench - Release Date Teaser Trailer
Clive 'N' Wrench - Hubworld Trailer
Clive 'N' Wrench - Cajun Mob Bog Trailer
Critic Reviews for Clive 'N' Wrench
In comparison, 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.
Clive 'N' Wrench probably won't set your world on fire, but it's an enjoyable enough 3D platformer with plenty of colourful doodads to collect.
Clive 'N' Wrench is not a good game, there is no way around that. When the Switch is home to some of the greatest 3D platformers ever made, Clive 'N' Wrench stands out for all the wrong reasons. From terrible controls to poor visuals and performance, we're sad to say that there is very little redeemable about the game on Switch. The entire project feels like a glorified demo made for a game design class, rather than a completed project that belongs on store shelves. The attempt is admirable, but after a decade's worth of development, Clive 'N' Wrench turned out as an incredible disappointment. With so many other ways to get your 3D collectathon platforming fix on Switch, your time and money are best spent elsewhere.
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.
So despite my breakdown I want to say that this was mainly made by one person, which is a feat. I would argue that Silactro also is a solo dev and makes better pastiches of the same genre, but I also want to be fair because I don’t think this game is unsalvageable. While I don’t expect major changes to my first issue, I do think the second issue of technical problems can be ironed out so in case the dev reads this, I will redo this review if the game is fixed (whenever that may be). As for right now though I cannot recommend this to anyone when better games trying to for the same things are readily accessible, cheaper, and more successful at doing being a 3D platformer.
A very enjoyable 3D platformer let down by a host of technical issues. Clive 'N' Wrench is well worth playing, but you may want to wait for some patches.
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.
