Lair of the Clockwork God

I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed this game. It does require you to be a fan of both point-and-click and platform games, but if you are, then this is an absolute diamond-studded must buy.

84%Game Brain Score

humor, gameplay

stability, grinding

94% User Score Based on 1,222 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $0.57

Buy NowGet on Steam€16.79

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

In "Lair of the Clockwork God," Ben and Dan from the indie dev series "Ben There, Dan That" return, this time as an unlikely duo of a benevolent adventurer and a money-hungry platformer. Navigate fiendish puzzles, converse with quirky characters, and juggle contrasting gameplay styles to unravel the mystery of a rogue A.I. and save the world. This comedic adventure offers a unique blend of classic point-and-click and speedy platforming action.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,234 reviews

humor764 positive mentions

stability30 negative mentions

The game features clever and humorous writing that consistently entertains players.
The combination of platforming and point-and-click adventure mechanics is innovative and well-executed.
Puzzles are engaging and often require out-of-the-box thinking, providing satisfying 'aha' moments.

The platforming controls can feel clunky and frustrating at times, detracting from the overall experience.
Some puzzles may be unintuitive, leading to moments of confusion and reliance on guides.
The humor may not resonate with everyone, as it heavily relies on British slang and cultural references.

humor
766 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Lair of the Clockwork God" is a standout feature, characterized by clever, meta-commentary and a mix of British wit that resonates well with fans of the genre. While some find the humor to be hit-or-miss, with occasional juvenile or dated references, many players appreciate the game's ability to blend humor seamlessly with its puzzles and gameplay mechanics, resulting in a consistently funny experience that often elicits genuine laughter. Overall, the writing is praised for its inventiveness and charm, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy comedic adventure games.
- “In fact, this is one of the funniest games I've ever played!”
- “It's actually blown me away; I've played so many point-and-click games and games in general, I didn't think I could come across one that was not only fresh in its gameplay, but that had such clever meta commentary humor that wasn't cringy like most seem to be, but was so funny I actually laughed out loud more than once.”
- “Lair of the Clockwork God is a charming, hilarious blend of chilled-out old school adventuring and fast-paced platforming action.”
- “The humor feels forced and often falls flat, leaving me cringing instead of laughing.”
- “The jokes are repetitive and lack originality, making the experience more tedious than entertaining.”
- “I found the attempts at humor to be awkward and unrelatable, which detracted from my enjoyment of the game.”
gameplay
287 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The gameplay of "Lair of the Clockwork God" is a unique blend of platforming and point-and-click adventure mechanics, allowing players to switch between two characters with distinct gameplay styles. While the integration of humor and clever puzzles is praised, some players find the platforming elements basic and the gameplay loop occasionally frustrating. Overall, the game is noted for its witty writing and innovative mechanics, making it an entertaining experience despite some minor quality-of-life issues.
- “It's how these two gameplay styles work in tandem that makes it great.”
- “Gameplay-wise, Lair of the Clockwork God’s alternating styles are executed with such efficiency that it's easy to forget that the entire concept hinges upon a joke - and a very good one at that - simultaneously mocking two genres while elevating them.”
- “The gameplay is a mix between a platformer (while playing as Dan) and old-school LucasArts point & click adventure (Ben) game, and fits a niche I've personally missed in video games.”
- “Clever idea but the mechanics are very basic, the humor is overwhelmingly dated references to other indie games, and there's occasional weird bugs like my character getting stuck in the floor.”
- “Most of the gameplay is padded out with long, unskippable dialogue, which mostly consists of Ben & Dan cracking somewhat funny jokes.”
- “Gameplay is just not fun although story, music, and pixel art are all great.”
story
135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The story of the game is widely praised for its clever writing, humor, and engaging narrative that explores themes of friendship and the human condition, often drawing comparisons to classic adventure games. While some players found the balance between serious and goofy tones uneven, the overall plot is described as both ridiculous and captivating, with many enjoying the witty dialogue and inventive puzzles. Despite minor criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the story's creativity and charm make it a standout feature that keeps players entertained throughout.
- “Absolutely adored this game - clever puzzle platformer with an engaging story and funny dialogue.”
- “The overall plot is fascinating - you feel as though you're unraveling a complex mystery, and the momentum is constantly building up to something big.”
- “The story is fantastically written, the gameplay never gets stale, and the puzzles are incredibly well designed.”
- “The game also does seem a bit undecided and confused as a game if it wants to be taken seriously or not with its story, or just goofy and sarcastic, so the balance is a bit uneven.”
- “The story is really just an accessory.”
- “It tries to address real, valid grievances with adventure games and society, but falls flat in telling a meaningful story.”
graphics
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
50%
7%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the charming pixel art and retro aesthetic, while others criticize the low detail and occasional graphical glitches that detract from the experience. Many reviewers noted that the visuals, although not groundbreaking, are complemented by a strong soundtrack and engaging character design, contributing to the overall nostalgic feel. Despite some technical issues, the art style is generally seen as fitting for the game's blend of platforming and adventure elements.
- “Despite the low-fi nature of the graphics, this game keeps coming up with fresh artwork throughout a well thought out storyline, and the musical score just rocks.”
- “Graphically it's a total delight and wonderfully charming.”
- “Great point-and-click/puzzle-platformer mix, with stylish pixel graphics and hilarious dialogues.”
- “I encountered a few bugs in the first 30 minutes while platforming (e.g. I fell through the ground and died), found the fourth wall breaking tiring because it was too frequent, and I found the art style not detailed enough to fall in love with the world.”
- “I liked the platformer and point-and-click adventure combo, but graphical glitches ruin a lot. I had to restart a couple of times because the platformer character got stuck underground and the game crashed.”
- “My only issue is that the game's framerate was inconsistent (or sometimes consistently 30fps) despite exceeding the system requirements and telling the NVIDIA control panel to use dedicated rather than integrated graphics.”
music
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
32%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the gameplay. The soundtrack is described as superb, featuring clever and humorous compositions that resonate well with players, particularly the end credits song. Overall, the music, alongside the beautiful pixel art and engaging dialogue, contributes significantly to the game's charm and immersive experience.
- “The music and artwork are definitely up there as far as indie games go, and coupled with how much personality the developers have put into the game, make the overall game feel like a labor of love.”
- “The music perfectly sets the tone and mood of each area.”
- “Everything about this game kept me glued to it; beautiful pixelated environments, a wonderful soundtrack, and puzzles so clever and devious that it felt absolutely fantastic when I finally figured them out.”
- “But that song has a lot of finger snapping and I've got carpal tunnel and all.”
- “There are certainly elements it plays into which seem to be about something more profound, like an AI wanting to learn human emotions to save humanity from an apocalypse, and at one point figuring out humans aren’t really worth saving. Some clever commentary otherwise too, and a lot of the backgrounds and music could be quite pretty atmospheric at times, but it seems the game never quite dares to take itself too seriously.”
- “Despite the low-fi nature of the graphics, this game keeps coming up with fresh artwork throughout a well-thought-out storyline, and the musical score just rocks.”
stability
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
88%
The game has been criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences, such as characters getting stuck or the game crashing. While some players have noted that these issues are being addressed through patches, the overall stability remains a concern, particularly on certain platforms. Despite these drawbacks, many users express hope that ongoing improvements will enhance the game's performance.
- “Bug free”
- “Runs great on Linux!”
- “Bug free”
- “The character frequently glitches into the ground for no reason, which makes the game feel cheap and unfinished.”
- “I liked the platformer and point-and-click adventure combo, but graphical glitches ruin a lot. I had to restart a couple of times because the platformer character got stuck underground and the game crashed.”
- “There's a few technical glitches that prevented me from continuing, but they were fixed upon restart. The controls feel a little clunky beyond their intended restrictions: neither keyboard/mouse nor a pad feel 100% right, which I guess is understandable given the wild genre-bending.”
emotional
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game masterfully blends humor and emotional depth, offering a heartfelt exploration of themes like aging and the transition to adulthood, all while maintaining a witty and charming narrative. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, as the game cleverly intertwines silly antics with poignant moments, making it both engaging and unexpectedly touching. Overall, it stands out as a unique fusion of genres that resonates emotionally without becoming overly somber.
- “And as silly as this game is, it also manages to be very touching.”
- “Just finished the game and quite simply this was one of the most engaging, fun, clever, and at times emotional experiences I've ever had with a game.”
- “It even gets emotional and spreads a fairly poignant message towards the end, then has a neat portal-esque credits song.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is overwhelmingly tedious, particularly due to a complex tutorial and challenging controls that detract from the experience. While some players appreciate the humor in the game's self-awareness about its tediousness, many feel it ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying platforming experience. Overall, the game struggles to balance its mechanics, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment.
- “The incredibly tedious tutorial makes it clear that platforming and point and clicks don't mix well, especially with two controllable characters.”
- “This extra complexity is also intentionally joked about by the characters during the game, like the game is mocking you by putting you through all these tedious extra steps intentionally.”
- “I like the idea, but the controls are really painful, making it really tedious to play.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
55%
27%
The game suffers from noticeable optimization issues, including performance dips and occasional jank, particularly during platforming sections, which may require players to lower their resolution for smoother gameplay. While these technical shortcomings can detract from the experience, the overall humor and engaging writing still make it a worthwhile play.
- “The platforming sections feel far from perfect, and the game could use some performance optimizations, but overall it's a no-brainer: go get it.”
- “It does have a few performance issues right now that can make the platforming feel a little sketchy in places, whilst point-and-click aficionados might be a little underwhelmed by the difficulty of the conundrums on offer.”
- “Some jank here and there, and some performance dips in some sections (had to lower my resolution to get through one specific section that became too unresponsive because of the low frame rate).”
- “The platforming sections feel far from perfect, and the game could use some performance optimizations.”
- “It does have a few performance issues right now that can make the platforming feel a little sketchy in places.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is described as having infinite replayability, with players noting that its humor and numerous jokes ensure a fresh experience with each playthrough. At a low cost, it is highly recommended for those seeking a game that offers substantial value and enjoyment over multiple sessions.
- “This is a hilarious game with tremendous replay value—there are too many great jokes to remember them all the first, second, or third time through.”
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “You’re only hurting yourself by not buying and playing it.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game's atmosphere is a blend of humor and introspection, featuring clever commentary on human emotions and the value of humanity, all set against a backdrop of beautiful music and visuals. While it balances serious themes with lighthearted jokes, including some irreverent humor, it maintains a heartfelt tone that resonates with players. Overall, the atmosphere is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a memorable experience.
- “The music is great, too, and not only adds to the atmosphere, but I found myself pausing just to listen to it at times.”
- “Consistently funny, sometimes even insightful, full of heart and that's just the atmosphere, jokes, dialogue, and storyline.”
- “There are moments of genuine self-reflection in there... nothing is mean-spirited, and even the jabs at the modern video game experience are done with love.”
- “The jokes are good, and while there's always a piss joke to lift the atmosphere (and lower the tone) when things get too serious, there are moments of genuine self-reflection in there. Nothing is mean-spirited, and even the jabs at the modern video game experience are done with love.”
- “Consistently funny, sometimes even insightful, full of heart, and that's just the atmosphere, jokes, dialogue, and storyline.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for its reliance on microtransactions, which some players find intrusive. The inclusion of a store for in-app purchases is seen as a way to ease gameplay, but it raises concerns about the impact of such practices on the overall experience.
- “In addition to the two characters, the game finds several meta ways for you to play it, including a store where you make 'in-app purchases' to ease your adventuring and, well, the methods you use to get into that store.”
- “The story in that area is not worse than in others, but I'm rather sensitive regarding the themes of that area, particularly microtransactions in modern games.”
- “In addition to the two characters, the game finds several meta ways for you to play it, including a store where you make 'in-app purchases' to ease your adventuring and the methods you use to get into that store.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development is highlighted by the quirky and cute designs of both the main characters and the NPCs, contributing to a charming and engaging visual experience.
- “The character designs are quirky and cute, both for the main characters and the NPCs they meet along the way.”