Clawfish
- June 11, 2021
- davidczar
"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.
Reviews
- Charming and relaxing atmosphere with beautiful visuals and calming music.
- Unique claw machine mechanics for each machine, adding variety to gameplay.
- Short and sweet experience, perfect for a quick, enjoyable break.
- Very short gameplay, typically completed in under an hour, leaving players wanting more content.
- Frequent bugs and glitches, including fish getting stuck and claw mechanics not functioning properly.
- Lack of a save feature, requiring players to complete the game in one sitting.
- graphics42 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming minimalist art style that evokes nostalgia, reminiscent of early 1990s 3D games. While some players appreciate the cute and calming aesthetics, others criticize the lack of detail and textures as a sign of laziness in design. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received for their pleasant atmosphere and ability to enhance the relaxing gameplay experience.
“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 developers often use to disguise their lack of talent or interest in doing the graphics properly, trying to pass it off as '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.”
- music34 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
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 some players noted the repetitive nature of the soundtrack and the lack of sound options, the overall experience is described as enjoyable and nostalgic, making it a great choice for casual play or background listening. The combination of pleasant music and charming visuals contributes to a wholesome and immersive gaming experience.
“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.”
- gameplay33 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its unique claw machine mechanics, with each machine offering distinct rules that enhance the overall experience. While the game is generally relaxing and visually appealing, many players noted its brevity, with gameplay lasting around 30-40 minutes, and expressed a desire for more content and refinement in controls. Despite some bugs and a lack of excitement, the game is praised for its calming atmosphere and enjoyable mechanics, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking a light, casual game.
“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 game mechanics are very smooth, each having their own gimmick and unique fish.”
“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.”
“Based on other reviews, I expected it to be a charming and short experience; however, I did also expect that the one single thing that the game was supposed to do well would actually work - that is, the claw machine mechanics.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
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, serene music, and the overall delightful ambiance, which enhances the gameplay despite some minor frustrations. The game's environment, reminiscent of a tranquil beach setting, contributes significantly to its charm and replayability.
“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 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 ❤”
“The atmosphere and music are relaxing.”
- stability16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game is quite buggy, with frequent glitches affecting gameplay, particularly on less powerful computers. While these issues can detract from the experience, many players still find the game enjoyable and worth the low price, suggesting that the bugs do not render it unplayable.
“Reeeeeally buggy, and short, but it's also cheap and goes on sale, hard to not recommend it.”
“Very buggy and very little content.”
“How can a 30-minute long game be this buggy? I don't know.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of wholesome and heartfelt experiences, evoking feelings of joy and nostalgia, while also eliciting moments of sadness and reflection. Players appreciate the game's relaxing atmosphere and beautiful music, which enhance its emotional impact, though some express disappointment regarding its potential and execution. Overall, it offers a short yet meaningful experience that resonates deeply with players, making them feel both happy and melancholic.
“A pleasant and heartfelt way to spend the afternoon.”
“The seagull made me cry.”
“This game made me happy and sad because of that, and it also made me tear up because of what it made me feel.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of relatable frustrations, such as the antics of a claw machine, and amusing interactions, particularly with a chatty seagull that offers both comedic dialogue and helpful tips. Players appreciate the positive and funny art style and descriptions, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.
“I also thought the text when catching some fish was pretty funny as well; altogether, I loved it!”
“Chat with the seagull for some hilarious conversations and helpful tips.”
“The art style and description of everything is so positive and funny (no joke).”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits low replayability due to its short length and absence of a save function, which limits players' motivation to revisit it. However, it may appeal to those interested in speedrunning or achievement hunting, offering some value for dedicated players.
“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 much to be desired.”
“Sadly, it's far too short and has no replay value, but if you are collecting achievements, then the game is for you.”
“Low replay value.”
- story3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's story evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of a cherished personal tale, but ultimately lacks depth, featuring minimal narrative content and a repetitive soundtrack. Players can complete the entire story and its achievements in under an hour, highlighting its brevity.
“It feels nostalgic, like a personal story retold dearly by its creator.”
“The story is engaging and leaves a lasting impression.”
“The characters are well-developed, making the narrative truly immersive.”
“Barely any story, just a few lines and one repetitive song throughout the whole game.”
“The entire story and achievements can be completed in less than an hour.”
“The narrative lacks depth and fails to engage the player.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect is subtly integrated into the game through flyers that feature advertisements for various products, alongside occasional lore elements that enhance the narrative. While the ads are prominent, they primarily serve as background details rather than intrusive monetization tactics.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, citing awkward controls and a slow pace that detracts from the overall experience. Many regret the decision to complete all tasks, as it feels more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge.
“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.”