Clem
- July 17, 2024
- Mango Protocol
- 8h median play time
Clem is an engaging adventure game with some genius puzzles and a whole lot of charm, but the movement will be a little too slow for some.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Clem" is a single-player Horror Action game with great visuals and an intriguing story, often referred to as a "Puzzlevania" experience. You wake up in a dimly lit room with a mysterious notebook, "CLeM," that hints at a cryptic mission: "Bring me BEAUTY." As you decipher the notebook's contents, you'll solve puzzles, explore your surroundings, and craft magic toys to uncover hidden secrets. The game is published by the same company behind "Strange Antiquities" and "Strange Horticulture."
Reviews
- CLeM features a beautiful art style and engaging narrative that captivates players throughout the experience.
- The puzzles are well-designed, offering a good balance of challenge without being overly frustrating, making for an enjoyable gameplay experience.
- The game has a unique blend of cute and creepy elements, creating an emotional and immersive atmosphere that resonates with players.
- The game is relatively short, with many players feeling it ends too soon and wishing for more content or chapters.
- Backtracking can be frustrating, as players often have to revisit previous rooms without clear guidance on what has changed.
- Some puzzles can be confusing or difficult to navigate, leading to moments of frustration, especially for those aiming to achieve 100% completion.
- story34 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story is generally well-received, praised for its depth, engaging narrative, and charming art style, with many players appreciating the blend of cute and slightly spooky elements. While some found the story to be touching and intriguing, others felt it fell short in certain areas. Overall, the combination of a captivating plot, logical puzzles, and a unique atmosphere contributes to a satisfying gaming experience.
“The story is engaging and I absolutely love the art.”
“The animation is charming, the story is a little dark, but also beautiful.”
“Clem introduces us to a fascinating world in which we unravel bit by bit, puzzle by puzzle, an equally fascinating story.”
“The story was very weak.”
“For fans of mecha nika, agatha knife, and colossus down, please know that this game is a stand alone story, only set within the same universe as those games.”
“But it feels like stretching this longer would not have been beneficial for the game because everything feels just right in terms of story and pacing.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique aesthetic, combining cutesy artwork with intriguing and sometimes disturbing themes. Reviewers highlight the charming art style, attention to detail, and how the visuals enhance the overall experience, contributing to the game's engaging puzzles and story. Overall, the graphics receive high marks, with many considering them a standout feature of the game.
“The aesthetic and drawings are very good and exactly what I was searching for.”
“The creepy factor is offset with the cutesy artwork, and I loved the combination.”
“Highlight for me so far was the art style and all the little details put into it.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making them feel lifeless.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Gameplay is generally well-received, with players appreciating the engaging puzzles and the introduction of new mechanics that enhance the experience. While some find the character movement slow, the overall mechanics are easy to grasp and encourage independent problem-solving. The combination of a captivating story, atmospheric elements, and varied gameplay keeps players invested, making it a recommended experience despite individual preferences.
“Puzzles are challenging without being obtuse, and the introduction of new mechanics keeps you engaged as you progress through the story and new locations in the house get unlocked.”
“All game mechanics are easy to understand, and I'm happy to find a game that doesn't hold your hand and lets you figure everything out by yourself.”
“The game is full of surprises in its gameplay and some very well thought out puzzles.”
“The gameplay is too slow; the character moves too slowly even in the faster setting.”
“The game is full of surprises in its gameplay and features some very well thought-out puzzles.”
“Strong when the puzzles are situation-based, with well-crafted mechanics of environment observation and deduction.”
- music8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -12 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the overall experience, creating an eerie yet beautiful atmosphere that complements the art and narrative. Reviewers appreciate the diverse soundtrack that changes with each room, contributing to the immersive ambiance and engaging gameplay. Overall, the sound design and music are considered standout elements, adding depth and emotional resonance to the game.
“Clem does a fantastic job of putting together a presentation with fantastic art design, music, and a diverse range of puzzles that doesn’t feel repetitive or tiresome and always kept me thinking outside the box.”
“Loved the dubbing, the game's ambiance, loved that the music changed with each room, loved the two endings and the characters.”
“As always, don't sleep on the game's music and sound design, since I think it's particularly well done here, creating an eerie yet beautiful atmosphere.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short while.”
“While the sound design is decent, the music itself feels out of place and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack is forgettable and fails to leave a lasting impression, which is disappointing for a game that relies heavily on atmosphere.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, characterized by impressive art direction and a unique blend of curiosity and dark undertones that enhance the storytelling. While some players found the atmosphere slow and the puzzles lacking in challenge, many appreciated the intricate details and immersive soundscape that contribute to a compelling experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a significant draw, even for those who may not typically enjoy the genre.
“If this is a genre that doesn’t really interest you but you have an appreciation for great art direction along with a game atmosphere that provokes and maintains your curiosity, then let me tell you why you should pick up this game and give it a go.”
“The art is also top-notch, and together with the story, it manages to create a unique atmosphere.”
“Strong when the puzzles are situation-based, with well-crafted mechanics of environment observation and deduction, it is stronger still when combined with the wonderful atmosphere, the many little details all around, the dark undertones that deepen the longer you stay in this world, and the soundscape that wraps it all.”
“The atmosphere was not what I expected; it's slow, weird (but not in a good way), and the puzzles were neither fun nor challenging at all. My fast disappointment may have influenced that in the long run.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews on the emotional aspect of the game are mixed; while some players found it to be a beautiful and moving experience, others felt that the attempt to create a touching story ultimately fell short.
“It has been a really beautiful and emotional experience playing this game.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively incorporates humor at key moments, enhancing its intriguing narrative and multiple endings. Players appreciate the charming details in the magic book, which features humorous doodles and well-localized text, adding to the overall enjoyment.
“A game that is as long as it needs to be, with bits of humor where they need to appear and an intriguing story with multiple endings that totally fit the narrative.”
“You can appreciate the work in the magic book that you carry with you, filled with text, beautiful drawings, and funny doodles (and all of this localized to every language in the game 👌❤️).”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability, as players find that once they have solved the puzzles, there is little incentive to revisit the experience.
“This game suffers in the replayability department, because once you know the puzzles... well, you know the puzzles.”
“After completing the game, I found little incentive to play through it again; the story doesn't change and the choices feel meaningless.”
“The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
