Clawfish

About

Clawfish is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by davidczar and was released on June 11, 2021. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Clawfish" is a single-player arcade game with phenomenal graphics and a stellar soundtrack. Visit an isolated train station and explore the dock while playing claw machines to catch 23 different fish. Release the fish to fill the waters, creating a wholesome and immersive atmosphere, in this short game that can be completed in under an hour. However, it is important to note that the game has bugs.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 646 reviews

graphics46 positive mentions

stability32 negative mentions

Charming and relaxing atmosphere with beautiful visuals and calming music.
Unique claw machine mechanics for each machine, adding variety to gameplay.
Short playtime makes it a perfect game for a quick, enjoyable experience.

Very short game, can be completed in under 30 minutes, leaving players wanting more content.
Lacks a save feature, which can lead to frustration if the game is exited unexpectedly.
Some bugs and glitches, such as fish getting stuck or clipping through the claw, detract from the experience.

graphics
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
41%
4%
The game's graphics feature a minimalist, low-polygon art style that evokes a nostalgic, retro aesthetic reminiscent of early 1990s 3D games. While some players appreciate the calming and cute visuals that enhance the overall atmosphere, others criticize the lack of detail and textures as a sign of laziness in design. Overall, the graphics contribute to a relaxing experience, complemented by soothing music and a charming ambiance.
- “The art style is gorgeous and the fish catching musical cue is very satisfying.”
- “Lovely graphics, calming ambience and great details make you want to explore everything.”
- “The aesthetics of the game are wonderful, very cute and colorful, and I like the added text when you clicked on a poster, or bought a drink out of the machine.”
- “The lack of textures is a method that lazy devs often use to disguise their lack of talent or interest in doing the graphics properly and trying to disguise it under the name of 'art', or 'we made it look bad on purpose', which really isn't something gamers should have to put up with.”
- “It's a rather simple game with a minimalist approach to its visuals, music, and gameplay.”
- “The graphics are simple but they really work for the game.”
music
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and soothing qualities, perfectly complementing the beautiful art style and creating a relaxing atmosphere. While the soundtrack is somewhat repetitive, it enhances the overall experience, making it ideal for casual play or as a backdrop for other activities. However, some players noted the lack of sound options and the inability to play their own music while gaming.
- “The atmosphere and music are relaxing.”
- “The music and sounds are gorgeous.. it's very soothing.”
- “Absolutely beautiful game with bright vibrant colors, nice feeling of summer, relaxing gameplay and music.”
- “Barely any story, just a few lines and one repetitive song across the whole game.”
- “Only real gripe is no sound options so had to turn down my PC volume, and you couldn't play your own music while playing.”
- “It's a rather simple game with a minimalist approach to its visuals, music, and gameplay.”
gameplay
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
70%
6%
The gameplay is characterized by its relaxing and simplistic mechanics, with each claw machine featuring unique rules that add a layer of charm and variety. While the game is visually appealing and easy to pick up, many players noted that it lacks depth and content, resulting in a short playtime of around 30-40 minutes. Overall, it offers a cozy experience, though some players expressed a desire for more substantial gameplay and refinement of certain mechanics.
- “I love that each claw machine has its own separate game mechanic.”
- “Honestly, a really neat game. The atmosphere is very pleasant and the gameplay itself is quite nice, with the claw machines changing how they work depending on which one you play on.”
- “The claw machines each have their own mechanic, so each one is a pleasure to beat.”
- “Only about 30 - 40 minutes of gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is there but I do not think it is finished and it does not have enough content.”
- “While going for that, aside from the wonky controls, fishes randomly dropping from the claw while it's moving or stopped, and the very bad boat mechanics, I encountered two more bugs!”
atmosphere
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
32%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as peaceful, calming, and cozy, providing a relaxing experience that encourages exploration and enjoyment. Players appreciate the colorful visuals, soothing music, and the overall serene vibe, which makes it a great stress reliever. Despite some gameplay challenges, the delightful ambiance and charming details keep players engaged and eager to return.
- “I loved the cozy and calm atmosphere; it was a great stress reliever this afternoon, and I could see myself coming back to replay it sometime again.”
- “The atmosphere is definitely serene, and I took every opportunity to screenshot adorable little facts about different fish and cute vending machine drinks.”
- “The atmosphere around the pier is extremely cozy that I ended up playing it twice, even though the claw minigame takes a little too long!”
- “The atmosphere is definitely serene and I took every opportunity to screenshot adorable, little facts about different fish & cute vending machine drinks.”
- “It has a very comfy atmosphere and very simple gameplay.”
stability
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is frequently described as "buggy," with numerous players reporting glitches that affect gameplay, particularly on less powerful computers. While these issues can detract from the experience, many reviewers still find the game enjoyable and worth the low price, suggesting that the bugs do not render it unplayable. Overall, the stability of the game is a notable concern, but it does not overshadow its charm for many players.
- “Reeeeeally buggy, and short, but it's also cheap and goes on sale, hard to not recommend it.”
- “But either this game is glitchy because the dev didn't care to clear up glitches or it's full of glitches intentionally to mimic the frustration of playing an actual claw game.”
- “Given the price of the game, I think this is a fair corner to cut; however, combined with the aforementioned glitches, it meant that my experience trying to play this game for 20 minutes boiled down to mashing the spacebar over and over again as little grey blobs somersaulted and teleported about inside of a box, shouting 'what??' louder on each failed attempt.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of wholesome and heartfelt experiences, evoking feelings of happiness and sadness in players. Many reviewers highlight the game's relaxing atmosphere and beautiful music, with some expressing deep emotional responses, such as crying over specific moments. Despite some criticisms regarding its gameplay mechanics, the overall sentiment is that the game offers a pleasant and memorable experience that resonates emotionally with players.
- “The seagull made me cry.”
- “This game made me feel so relaxed and I enjoyed every second of my time in it.”
- “This game made me happy and sad because of that, and it also made me tear up because of what it made me feel.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of relatable frustrations, such as the experience of using a claw machine, and witty dialogue, particularly with a seagull that offers both comedic interactions and useful tips. Players appreciate the positive and amusing art style, which enhances the overall lightheartedness of the experience.
- “Chat with the seagull for some hilarious convo and helpful tips.”
- “The art style and description of everything is so positive and funny (no joke).”
- “I also thought the text when catching some fish was pretty funny as well; altogether, I loved it!”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
Overall, the game exhibits low replayability, primarily due to its short length and lack of a save function, which limits players' desire to revisit it. However, some players find potential for speedrunning and achievement hunting, suggesting that those aspects may enhance its replay value for specific audiences.
- “It's great, and not only makes for a nice and wholesome first playthrough, but due to its length, it should also be very replayable. Maybe for speedruns, even 100% speedruns are super quick, so you're definitely gonna get your money's worth.”
- “Low replayability and lack of a basic save function leave some to be desired.”
- “Sadly far too short and no replay value, but if you are collecting achievements then the game is for you.”
- “Low replay value.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The game's story is described as nostalgic and personal, yet it is minimalistic, consisting of only a few lines and a repetitive song. Players can complete the entire narrative and achievements in under an hour, highlighting its brevity.
- “It feels nostalgic, like a personal story retold dearly by its creator.”
- “The entire story and achievements can be completed in less than an hour.”
- “Barely any story, just a few lines and one repetitive song across the whole game.”
- “Entire story and achievements can be completed in less than an hour.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect is primarily reflected through the presence of advertisements in the game, featuring various brands and products, which serve as both a narrative device and a means of immersion. While some flyers include lore elements, the focus remains on promoting consumer goods rather than enhancing gameplay or story depth.
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, citing awkward controls and a slow pace that detracts from the overall experience. Many regret the decision to pursue completionist goals, as it adds to the sense of monotony.
- “The controls are awkward, it's slow in a way that's more tedious than relaxing, and it was a mistake for me to insist on completing all the fish before closing the game.”