Like Clay

About

Like Clay is a single player action adventure game with a horror theme. It was developed by free08Games and was released on January 9, 2017. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Like Clay" is a free-to-play simulation game where players shape and mold characters in a virtual world. With various customization options, players can build and design characters based on their preferences. The game also features a social aspect, allowing players to interact and form relationships with their creations and those of others. However, 'Like Clay' currently has limited content and functionality, with few activities and gameplay mechanics available.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 76 reviews

story21 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game features a compelling story that effectively blends psychological horror with a character-driven mystery, keeping players engaged throughout.
Atmosphere and sound design are standout elements, creating a persistent sense of tension and unease that enhances the overall experience.
The gameplay includes accessible puzzles and exploration that feel integrated into the narrative, encouraging players to pay attention to environmental details.

Graphics and visual fidelity are dated, which may detract from the experience for players expecting higher production values.
Some puzzles can be obtuse or frustrating, leading to moments of confusion and trial-and-error gameplay that may disrupt immersion.
The voice acting and certain design choices, such as repetitive environments, can feel lacking and may not meet the expectations of players used to more polished titles.

story
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
6%
The story in "like clay" is praised for its emotional depth and engaging narrative, centered around the protagonist's search for a missing friend entangled in a cult. The use of audio recordings and environmental storytelling effectively reveals the protagonist's mental state and the cult's manipulative nature, creating an immersive experience. While some players found the ending disappointing or confusing, the overall execution, atmosphere, and multiple endings contribute to a memorable psychological horror adventure that resonates with fans of narrative-driven indie games.
- “The personal connection between the protagonist and the missing friend gives the story weight from the very beginning, making the unfolding events feel intimate rather than abstract.”
- “Audio recordings and written messages serve as the backbone of storytelling, gradually revealing context about Tom's mental state, his circumstances, and the forces at play behind his disappearance.”
- “For those who appreciate narrative-focused horror with measured pacing and branching outcomes, it offers a memorable and unsettling journey that proves impactful storytelling does not require grand scale—only careful design and a clear creative vision.”
- “Even after it's updated, I feel as if the ending is disappointing because it feels as if no motivation behind the plot of the game was ever revealed, and it was just 'I did this because I felt like it.'”
- “The game developer did a good job on the 'searching for a missing friend' storyline; however, it kind of just didn't make much sense after finding out the missing friend was part of an evil religious cult.”
- “And the story was fine and was well told and coherent, albeit I couldn't understand why there were notes around that lots of people were writing bits on and signing their name, even the bad guys.”
graphics
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
The graphics of the game are generally simplistic and not high-end, often evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of older titles, which may not appeal to everyone. While some players appreciate the charm and atmosphere created by the grainy visuals and careful lighting, others note that the graphics can detract from the overall experience, particularly with poorly designed creature models. Despite these criticisms, many agree that the graphics effectively contribute to the game's tense and disturbing mood, especially considering its low price point.
- “Like clay does not rely on high-end graphical fidelity, but its environments are constructed with enough detail and careful lighting to create a persistent sense of tension.”
- “The graphics are surprisingly good (except for the creature/monster models) for a game that only costs around a dollar, and it was pretty fun to play.”
- “The graphics are incredibly simplistic (both model and texture work), but while that does detract slightly from the atmosphere, generally speaking the mood is tense and disturbing enough to overcome the primitiveness of the graphics.”
- “The game runs poorly regardless of graphical setting.”
- “It's not a graphical heavyweight, but its somewhat grainy and not overly detailed visuals lend an odd charm to the transition between the normal urban dwelling that you start out in and the cult's bunkered stronghold.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised as one of its strongest elements, effectively creating a tense and immersive experience despite simplistic graphics. Players appreciate the thoughtful environmental design, engaging narrative, and effective use of sound to enhance the mood, contributing to a compelling and eerie atmosphere that keeps them invested throughout. While some flaws exist, the overall ambiance and storytelling resonate well, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The production values may not compete with larger studio releases, but the commitment to atmosphere and narrative cohesion makes the experience feel earnest and thoughtfully constructed.”
- “I love the environmental design, the story intrigues me a lot; I love that it covers the manipulative aspect of cults rather than just 'oogh they summon a demon oo evil'. It's not bombarding you with screamers, really atmospheric.”
- “Good atmosphere, good amount of interactivity, good tension; it does a good job keeping you in suspense and building interest and immersion as you continue to unravel the mystery.”
- “This one's tough to be wholly enthusiastic about, because it has some serious flaws, but I ultimately enjoyed myself and was appropriately unnerved by the atmosphere and gameplay in this first-person horror game.”
- “Atmosphere: the graphics are incredibly simplistic (both model and texture work), but while that does detract slightly from the atmosphere, generally speaking the mood is tense and disturbing enough to overcome the primitiveness of the graphics.”
- “Yet like clay's inventiveness, fluctuation in puzzle solutions, malevolent threats and strange story really create an atmosphere that is completely its own whether you like it or not.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
Gameplay in this title primarily revolves around exploration, investigation, and light puzzle-solving, offering a mix of calming mechanics and creative freedom that appeals to players looking for a relaxing experience. While some reviews highlight flaws and a lack of depth typical of lower-budget games, others praise the engaging atmosphere, solid mechanics, and multiple endings that enhance the overall enjoyment. Overall, the gameplay is described as fun and immersive, with a balance of challenge and accessibility that keeps players invested in the story.
- “Gameplay centers on exploration, investigation, and light puzzle-solving.”
- “Its calming gameplay and creative freedom make it perfect for unwinding and expressing your artistic side.”
- “There's roughly 2-3 hours of gameplay for the first run, it's not riddled with hacky jumpscares throughout the whole thing, there's voice acting, a thought-out plot with a satisfying conclusion, multiple endings, detailed lore, and a lot more to discover here...there's even a boss fight!”
- “I rarely come across a game that is, in my opinion, too cheap for the gameplay you get.”
- “It's really not good, and its lack of quality does tend to detract from the gameplay.”
- “Look, this isn't a AAA game (or even AA), so you can't expect it to bring the big scares and sophisticated gameplay loops.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
28%
29%
The music in the game is generally described as adequate, with some users noting that it enhances the overall experience, particularly in creating tension and scare-value. While opinions vary, many agree that the sound design contributes positively to the atmosphere, making it a noteworthy aspect of the game. Overall, the music is seen as a solid element that elevates the gameplay experience.
- “Interesting setting, good music, scary spoops.”
- “The graphics, music, and mechanics are solid, and with multiple endings and a decent length to boot, it’s impossible not to recommend this.”
- “Music and sound: they're adequate (barely), though the musical stings really add to the scare-value.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; players report needing to lower settings for smoother performance, particularly in asset-heavy areas, while also requiring higher settings for specific puzzles. Despite some framerate issues, controls are responsive, and ultrawide support enhances the experience, encouraging engagement with the story.
- “Controls (m/kb) and performance are perfect - ultrawide supported.”
- “In fact, from a gameplay aspect, it actually encourages me to listen for information and pay attention to the story because I am engaged with the performance.”
- “Had a little bit of a framerate issue in the main apartment complex area because I assume there are just too many assets loaded / optimization issues, but that was manageable.”
- “I had a bit of a framerate issue in the main apartment complex area, which I assume is due to too many assets being loaded or optimization issues, but it was manageable.”
- “The optimization issues really detract from the overall experience, making it hard to enjoy the game fully.”
- “There are noticeable performance drops in certain areas, indicating that the game could use better optimization.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively prioritizes emotional depth over mere spectacle, using subtlety and implication to convey its darker themes. By focusing on a personal mystery and fostering an immersive atmosphere, it encourages players to engage with the emotional nuances of the narrative.
- “Rather than relying purely on spectacle or constant jump scares, the game builds its experience around emotional context and gradual revelation.”
- “It approaches its darker elements with restraint rather than excess, allowing implication and subtext to carry much of the emotional weight.”
- “It presents a personal mystery wrapped in tension, encouraging players to immerse themselves in both the environment and the emotional undercurrents driving the plot.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's potential for replayability, as it allows them to revisit earlier sections to discover missed details or make different choices. However, some feel that once both endings are completed, the overall replay value diminishes significantly.
- “Although I would say that this game doesn't have much replay value after you finish both endings.”
- “This encourages replayability, as players may want to revisit earlier sections to uncover missed details or alter key decisions.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be engaging, as the puzzles, while not revolutionary, are interesting enough to keep them entertained without feeling tedious or frustrating.