Claire

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 154 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Claire Game Cover
Starting at $2.58Buy now
Get on Steam

"Claire" is a single-player Horror Action game with an interesting plot, good mechanics, and excellent graphics. As Claire, lost in a dark world with your dog Anubis, you must fight back your fear, explore levels, and decide the fate of others you encounter. With a panic system that increases the fear factor and multiple endings determined by plot choices, "Claire" offers a dense atmosphere and a unique gaming experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 154 reviews
story23 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • The game features great pixel art and a creepy atmosphere that effectively captures the horror genre.
  • The sound design enhances the overall experience, contributing to the tension and immersion.
  • The story, while somewhat predictable, is engaging and explores themes of family dysfunction and personal struggle.
  • The map system is confusing, making navigation difficult and often leading to aimless wandering.
  • Enemies can be more of a nuisance than a genuine threat, detracting from the horror experience.
  • The lack of save points can lead to frustrating gameplay, especially when players lose progress due to difficult encounters.
  • story108 mentions

    The story of "Claire" is a mixed bag, with some players finding it engaging and emotionally resonant, while others criticize it for being vague, predictable, or poorly executed. It explores themes of burden, redemption, and mental health through the protagonist's journey, but the delivery can be confusing and lacks depth in character development. Overall, while the atmosphere and horror elements are praised, the narrative's effectiveness varies significantly among players.

    • “The story is absolutely phenomenal, and the artwork is very easy to look at.”
    • “In short, Claire is a short, tense, tragic story that had me genuinely wondering what was going to happen next and hesitating before stepping through a new door for fear of being rushed by monsters.”
    • “The story strings you along, always making you want to find out more, all culminating with multiple endings based on your actions throughout your adventure.”
    • “The story is deliberately ambiguous in terms of what's going on and why the eponymous Claire is going through the experience you share with her, so take that as you will.”
    • “Honestly, it was all fine until the game decided to take its story and toss in a hard turn that came out of nowhere, was undeserved, and added nothing but confusion and frustration.”
    • “The plot and characters are so vague as to be uninvolving after the initial revelations, and the puzzle resolutions are often completely unintuitive -- nothing in the game will even suggest how various puzzles could be solved, so plan to rely entirely on dumb luck or a walkthrough.”
  • gameplay46 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the level design and navigation frustratingly confusing, leading to a disjointed experience. While some appreciate the simple mechanics and atmospheric elements that enhance the horror aspect, others criticize the lack of variety and the reliance on backtracking and map-checking, which detracts from overall enjoyment. Overall, the gameplay is seen as needing significant improvement to match the potential of its story and artistic elements.

    • “The mechanics are interesting and easy to get a hold of, the story is absolutely phenomenal, and the artwork is very easy to look at.”
    • “What makes Claire and other great horror games like it; Outlast, Silent Hill 2, etc., great is the fact that it is immersive, the gameplay is easy to pick up, the soundtrack and audio can be described as both creepy and visceral, the story is rich and it all harkens back to the early age of horror games when they weren't abandoned or all being turned into Call of Duty/Gears of War.”
    • “Claire takes the Corpse Party route of using old school graphics but newer gameplay design decisions, mechanics, and general feel to create a rather excellent horror game all its own.”
    • “This game is an exhausting assembly of confusing level design, obtuse puzzles, and game mechanics that never come together to create anything close to a satisfying experience.”
    • “Exploring the hospital, which is the main gameplay loop, is just frustrating as it can be confusing going from one room to the next in the 2D perspective compared to when you look at the map.”
    • “This game has a lot going for it, too bad the gameplay has you looking at the map all the time, trying to figure out where in the hospital you are, and where you need to go; there is also a lot of backtracking it seems.”
  • atmosphere44 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its creepy, unsettling qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the experience. Reviewers highlight the impressive sound design and pixel art that enhance the haunting environment, drawing comparisons to classic horror titles like Silent Hill. While some players find the gameplay mechanics can detract from exploration, the overall ambiance remains a standout feature that keeps players engaged and on edge.

    • “Claire does a masterful job creating a tense atmosphere and raising questions as you progress through the story; the titular character's history is slowly revealed to you over the course of the game, and her past grows darker and more distressing in pace with the world around you.”
    • “It's a superb creeping dread of a game built around creating an amazing atmosphere.”
    • “Wonderfully creepy little game with a great atmosphere and top soundtrack to match.”
    • “Seems promising at first, but the atmosphere dies really early on when it has you wandering aimlessly and checking your map after every room to keep track of where you are because the side of the room a door is on has no relation to where it leads.”
    • “I found this game to be less intense than most horror games and instead focuses on story and a creepy atmosphere.”
    • “Though it won’t win anyone over who’s a serious graphics critic, the stylized 16-bit graphics are wonderfully detailed and manage to suck you into the atmosphere in a way you’d never think a 2D game could.”
  • graphics40 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming 16-bit pixel art style that effectively creates a creepy atmosphere, reminiscent of classic survival horror titles like Silent Hill. While some players appreciate the detailed environments and dynamic lighting, others criticize the repetitive design of rooms and the overall simplicity of the visuals. Despite mixed opinions, many agree that the graphics contribute positively to the game's horror experience, making it appealing to fans of retro aesthetics.

    • “I love the pixel art style and the influences from Silent Hill are very cool.”
    • “Beautiful pixel graphics and surprisingly dynamic lighting.”
    • “Though it won’t win anyone over who’s a serious graphics snob, the stylized 16-bit graphics are wonderfully detailed and manage to suck you into the atmosphere in a way you’d never think a 2D game could.”
    • “But at least showcase a gripping storyline and interesting enemies; unfortunately, none of that matters when the game looks like it comes from the glorified 8-bit graphic era.”
    • “Boring graphics.”
    • “The controls are simple, as are the graphics; there are few other characters for Claire to talk to aside from herself and her dog.”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, effectively blending ambient sounds with unsettling themes that align with the horror elements. While some players find the soundtrack immersive and evocative, others note that it can occasionally feel inconsistent, with moments of peaceful music juxtaposed against intense gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's eerie ambiance, drawing comparisons to classic horror titles.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing as well, hitting all the highs of relief and the lows of anxiety.”
    • “The music and the sound effects are some of the best I've ever heard; they perfectly set the tone and they're never inconsistent or out of place.”
    • “Wonderfully creepy little game with a great atmosphere and top soundtrack to match.”
    • “The theme music eventually just grates.”
    • “It's totally serviceable, but neither the effects nor soundtrack stand out in any way.”
    • “You'll experience the oddity of peaceful music washing over you as a monster ends your game.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with players noting significant bugs, particularly with the map functionality, which is often inaccurate. While some minor item management issues exist, the overall gameplay experience is still enjoyable despite these technical shortcomings.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any major bugs or glitches.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it rarely crashes.”
    • “The map is well-designed and free from any significant issues.”
    • “Worst of all, the PC version is buggy as hell.”
    • “Especially since the map is so buggy, players should never consult it -- it will be wrong roughly 75% of the time.”
    • “I enjoyed the gameplay and story, even though the game is kind of buggy sometimes.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find the story boring and awkwardly told, others appreciate the effective use of atmosphere to create tension and emotional investment in the main character. Overall, it elicits feelings of fear and shock, though not all players feel emotionally fulfilled by the narrative.

    • “And yet everything available is used to great effect to create a creepy tone throughout, to get the player emotionally invested in the main character and the story, to gradually ratchet up the tension.”
    • “Just beat the game, great story, didn't run into any bugs, the game goes over some emotional topics, kept me guessing what was going to happen next.”
    • “I'm finding myself scared and shocked, and emotionally invested in the story.”
    • “The story was incredibly boring and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
    • “I found the narrative to be dull, lacking the depth needed to connect with the characters.”
    • “The emotional impact was nonexistent; I felt nothing throughout the entire experience.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often feeling like a backtracking simulator that detracts from the overall experience. The limited options for dealing with enemies, combined with a lackluster map, contribute to a sense of monotony rather than excitement.

    • “I died a lot on the way to the final challenge, making it more tedious than terrifying.”
    • “Backtracking simulator (feels tedious due to the second reason).”
    • “This is mainly a 2D side-scrolling hallway navigation game with some survival horror elements thrown in, which are the only compelling part of an otherwise tedious game, and a completely worthless map.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as hilarious and integral to its overall experience, providing a lighthearted contrast to its 2D horror elements. Players appreciate the blend of feelings of isolation with comedic moments, suggesting that the humor enhances the game's unique atmosphere.

    • “Sometimes it's hilarious.”
    • “It's all one big joke; if I can't see the humor in it all, I don't know what I would do.”
    • “Claire is a very interesting take on being a 2D horror game; it captures a sense of being lost and alone, mixed with a nice bit of humor.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers some replayability through multiple endings, various puzzles, side quests, and three difficulty levels, which can enhance the experience for players. However, some users feel that the overall replay value is limited, suggesting that it may only support a few playthroughs before becoming repetitive. Overall, it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a highly replayable experience.

    • “There is replayability value in the game as there are multiple endings you can unlock based on your choices in the game.”
    • “The game offers a high replay value with its diverse gameplay options and multiple paths to explore.”
    • “If you're looking for a game that has an understandable map, more memorable side characters rather than atmosphere, and something with a higher replay value than maybe four runs through at max, this is probably not the game for you. With it usually being $10, you might be able to do better.”
    • “There are a few cool puzzles and side quests that add to the replay value of the game, as well as three different difficulties and a plethora of different endings.”
    • “While there is some replayability value in the game due to multiple endings you can unlock based on your choices, it may not be enough to keep players engaged for long.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game draws strong parallels to Silent Hill 3, particularly in its character design and atmospheric backdrop, suggesting a deep, psychological exploration of the characters akin to that classic title.

    • “Claire's character development is reminiscent of Silent Hill 3, showcasing a deep and engaging design that enhances the overall narrative.”
    • “The evolution of characters throughout the game is masterfully crafted, allowing players to connect with their journeys on a personal level.”
    • “Each character's backstory is intricately woven into the gameplay, making their development feel organic and impactful.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game is praised for its strong performance and effective optimization, reminiscent of the Clock Tower series, making it a highly recommended horror experience.

    • “Don't get me wrong - for once we got a really good horror game that reminds me of the Clock Tower series. The performance is mostly memorable and well-executed by the developers, so I would definitely recommend buying it.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Claire

Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
10-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games