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Serial Cleaner

While occasionally frustrating and repetitive, Serial Cleaner is a violently fun puzzle game that provides hours of blood-filled entertainment and new challenges.
77%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
81% User Score Based on 2,668 reviews
Critic Score 67%Based on 30 reviews

Platforms

MOMac OSNSNintendo SwitchPCPCP4Playstation 4P5Playstation 5SDSteam DeckWinWindowsXOXbox OneXSXXbox Series X|SCloCloudLinLinuxNGNNVIDIA GeForce NOWPlaPlayStationXboxXbox

About

"Serial Cleaner" is a 2D action/stealth game set in the 1970s, where you play as a mob cleanup crew member. Your job is to sneak around crime scenes, avoiding detection from police, and cleaning up evidence such as blood and hidden bodies. Success requires quick reflexes, strategic thinking, and a knack for staying out of sight.

Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot
Serial Cleaner screenshot

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,698 reviews
story258 positive mentions
grinding38 negative mentions

  • story
    931 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Serial Cleaner" is generally described as simple and straightforward, revolving around a cleaner who disposes of evidence after crimes while in debt to the mob. While some players find the narrative engaging and appreciate its 70s aesthetic, others criticize it for being predictable and lacking depth, often feeling like a mere backdrop to the gameplay. Overall, the story adds a layer of context to the missions but is not the main focus, with many players preferring the gameplay mechanics over the narrative itself.

    • “The story is simple, yet engaging.”
    • “The story that unfolds is pretty amazing as well and is definitely not something you'd expect to see from a 'simple-looking' game like this.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly fun, the story is intriguing and it oozes a lot of style.”
    • “I'm not compelled to follow the player character Bob in any way, because he lacks any kind of personality and the story is boringly simplistic at best.”
    • “The story is almost nonexistent, and I quickly found myself skipping all of the dialogue until the last 3-4 contracts where finally something sort-of interesting happens.”
    • “It has a story but to be quite honest it might as well not have been there; it feels forcibly tacked-on.”
  • gameplay
    780 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Serial Cleaner" is characterized by a unique premise that combines stealth mechanics with a crime scene cleaning theme, offering a simple yet engaging loop of collecting evidence and avoiding police detection. However, many players find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating due to clunky controls, inconsistent enemy AI, and a lack of depth in mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. While the game features charming visuals and a catchy soundtrack, its simplistic gameplay may not satisfy those seeking a more challenging or varied stealth experience.

    • “A well themed puzzle game with mechanics that are easy to understand and very well utilized.”
    • “The gameplay loop for Serial Cleaner consists of the following: enter a map, run around it to pick up any evidence while cleaning up blood (with your…mobile vacuum?) and dumping dead bodies either in your car or specific spots in the environment.”
    • “The gameplay itself is addictive and keeps you on your toes.”
    • “The randomized evidence mixed in with frustrating game mechanics really put me off a lot, and while it could just be a 'skill issue', I really wish that it was a bit less monotonous and more engaging.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is simple enough, but the enemy placement and AI are simultaneously frustrating and laughably stupid.”
    • “The mechanics of the game are too simple and basic to justify its difficulty; oftentimes you fail due to bad luck or impatience, which frustratingly leads you back to the start of the level to do it all over again.”
  • music
    541 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Serial Cleaner" is widely praised for its catchy, 70s-inspired soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere and complements its quirky aesthetic. While many players appreciate the funky and jazzy tunes, some note that the tracks can become repetitive over time, potentially detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “The music is outstanding and the levels are just challenging enough so you can get the right amount of frustration and relief with each one.”
    • “What truly sets 'Serial Cleaner' apart is its fantastic soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is a real gem and I enjoyed every song.”
    • “The music was extremely repetitive; I had to mute it and turn something else on in the background.”
    • “The soundtrack pops in certain areas, but is overall not very memorable.”
    • “Beyond these negatives, like others have mentioned, the music, art style, setting, and from what I've seen, story, are all relatively good, but it's difficult at best to enjoy these things while repeating the same mission for the tenth time in a row because you randomly got spotted by the tiny clipping of the enemies' field of view and hunted down to get a bonk on the head.”
  • graphics
    527 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Serial Cleaner" are characterized by a distinctive 1970s aesthetic that combines vibrant colors and a retro art style, creating an atmospheric experience reminiscent of classic crime films. While many players appreciate the stylish visuals and the overall charm they bring to the game, some have noted that the simplistic design can obscure gameplay elements, making it difficult to distinguish between walkable paths and obstacles. Overall, the graphics are seen as a strong point, though they may hinder clarity in certain situations.

    • “The art style is visually captivating, with its vibrant colors and a retro aesthetic that pays homage to the '70s era.”
    • “The attention to detail in the environments and character designs enhances the overall immersion and aesthetic appeal.”
    • “With a gorgeous 70's aesthetic firmly grasped in one hand, and an innovative concept clutched in the other, Serial Cleaner makes for one of the most unique games I've ever played, and is definitely a hell of a lot of fun.”
    • “However, while the art style is one of its strengths, it’s also a weakness when it obscures the visibility of gameplay.”
    • “Due to the camera angle being 'straight-on isometric' instead of 'diagonally isometric', and due to the 2D art style, it can be hard to read the level layout, understand what is considered a wall or an opening, and to see blood that might be hiding behind a wall.”
    • “The only real criticism I can levy towards it is that sometimes the combination of art style and camera angle creates some issues of depth perception, meaning on occasion there will be a path you couldn't have known was there, or enemies will rush at you through what you thought was a wall.”
  • humor
    110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Serial Cleaner" is characterized by its quirky, dark comedic elements that blend well with the game's unique premise of cleaning up crime scenes. Players appreciate the clever wordplay, amusing character interactions, and the absurdity of the situations, such as using unconventional methods to dispose of bodies. While some find the humor repetitive or not to their taste, many enjoy the light-hearted approach to a macabre subject, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “First and foremost, the concept of being a crime scene cleaner is both bizarre and intriguing, and 'Serial Cleaner' executes it with a perfect blend of humor and challenge.”
    • “The game has a 'morbid' sense of humor which I really like (both in text and gameplay).”
    • “The cleaner's little remarks about each item as it's crossed off his list preserve the game's sense of humor during the grim task of removing viscera and also fill in any details left out by the impressionistic art style.”
    • “Not funny, not very unique and not even interesting.”
    • “Not funny, not very unique and not even interesting.”
  • replayability
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the abundance of collectibles, challenges, and optional difficulty modifiers that enhance replay value, others find that once the main content is completed, the replayability diminishes significantly. Some reviews highlight that the game offers fun and engaging mechanics for replaying levels, but ultimately, many players feel that the experience becomes repetitive after mastering the content. Overall, it seems that while there are elements that encourage replaying, the game may not sustain long-term interest for all players.

    • “The replayability factor is high, thanks to the different challenges and hidden collectibles in each level.”
    • “This game is honestly surprisingly fun and there's a lot of replayability since there's the option to find vinyls and outfits that get unlocked when you find them.”
    • “Very replayable, incredible soundtrack, unique and beautiful art style, challenging levels, tons of collectibles that are actually fun to collect and subtle humor.”
    • “Limited replay value; once players have completed all available content, there isn't much incentive to return.”
    • “Not much replayability - once you've beaten a mission, every subsequent attempt will feel almost the same, with only minor changes to obstacles.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game has no replay value, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
  • atmosphere
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating visuals and immersive sound design, effectively evoking the nostalgic vibes of the '70s and '80s, reminiscent of classic crime films. Players appreciate the stylish graphics and engaging soundtrack, which enhance the overall experience, although some note that the music can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game successfully creates a unique and enjoyable environment that sets it apart from other stealth titles.

    • “The game features stylish visuals inspired by the 1970s setting, creating a captivating atmosphere reminiscent of classic crime films.”
    • “The '70s-inspired tunes perfectly complement the gameplay, immersing you in the atmosphere of the game and adding an extra layer of enjoyment.”
    • “Overall, Serial Cleaner provides an enjoyable atmosphere and style to the stealth genre that brings you into a zany little world for a small fun time.”
    • “While the game's soundtrack and audio design contribute to its atmosphere, some players may find the selection of music and sound effects repetitive over time.”
    • “It could have more levels, or something else, but as it is, I recommend it for its original idea and the classic style of simply being a 'serial cleaner' and sliding on the blood of the victims and running away from the cops. The music is relaxing, creating a chilling atmosphere, but the single negative thing is that you can't play it for hours straight.”
    • “Excellent gameplay with no great difficulty; the whole game is about atmosphere.”
  • grinding
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unfulfilling, particularly when attempting to achieve 100% blood cleaning, which often feels more reliant on luck than skill. While the game starts off enjoyable, many reviewers note that it quickly becomes repetitive and frustrating, especially with the need to redo missions due to random deaths and unclear mechanics. However, some appreciate the lack of grindy achievements, making it easier to complete the game without excessive time investment.

    • “Some are a bit tricky to get, but all are definitely doable and not too grindy.”
    • “As there are also no grindy achievements, it is fairly easy to 100% this game without wasting hundreds of hours with grinding.”
    • “Fun at first but gets tedious later on with bigger places and dying and needing to redo everything.”
    • “I think my biggest gripe is the whole 100% blood cleaning part; it's tedious and unfun. Sure, you can do it, but it's all randomly generated, so you're just hoping it's in a good spot if you want to finish a level quickly. It's not challenging but about luck and how much time you'll need to spend dodging around guards while cleaning, which doesn't feel rewarding at all.”
    • “Re-doing entire missions would be okay if doing them didn't feel as tedious, but part of the challenge comes from the controls and unclear area of effects/finicky mopping, which just was not enjoyable for me.”
  • stability
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting a well-polished experience free of major bugs or glitches, while others encounter significant issues, particularly with achievement tracking and hitbox detection. Many users noted frustrating glitches, especially in later levels, which detracted from the overall enjoyment. Overall, while the game has a stable framerate and minimal loading issues, the presence of bugs can lead to a frustrating gameplay experience.

    • “Game is fun for the first 5 levels and then the bugs and glitches start appearing, getting caught on objects due to bad hitbox detection, police hitting you from over 5 pixels away, police hitting you despite you mashing the A key to hide, and then in later levels, the level layouts get stupidly hard all of a sudden.”
    • “Couple the difficulty spike with the above glitches and bugs and it's no wonder they gave away this game for free on Humble Bundle!”
    • “Love the game, however it's a bit buggy with the achievements on macOS.”
  • emotional
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game emotionally impactful, with many highlighting the touching interactions between the main character and his mother, which add depth to the narrative. The music and atmosphere effectively enhance the emotional experience, leading to moments that can evoke strong feelings, including tears during pivotal scenes. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create a meaningful emotional journey while allowing players to engage at their own pace.

    • “Each track sets the mood of its area so completely that it quickly becomes an integral part of the stage, disappearing into and defining the emotional background of the contract.”
    • “Cut scenes with the main character's mom - in between scenes there are cut scenes and the interaction between the main character and his mom is wholesome.”
    • “The story is humorous and quite touching in some places; it includes subtle lines that touched me when I got invested.”
  • optimization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting no performance issues, while others experience significant problems such as uneven performance and poor control recognition. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be lacking, especially given its relatively simple gameplay.

    • “Performance-wise, no issues.”
    • “Performance-wise, no issues.”
    • “Performance:”
    • “Bad performance for such a simple game.”
    • “Sadly, this game runs really unevenly for me with poor performance and control recognition.”
    • “I wanted to like it, but the poor performance, control response, and relatively simple and easy gameplay left me unsatisfied.”
  • character development
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that while the game's environments and character designs are immersive and visually appealing, the narrative suffers from a lack of depth in both storytelling and character development, leaving some players desiring more complexity and growth in the characters.

    • “The attention to detail in the environments and character designs enhances the overall immersion and aesthetic appeal.”
    • “While the premise is intriguing, the execution of the narrative may leave some players wanting more character development and plot complexity.”
    • “Lack of depth in storytelling and character development.”
    • “Lack of depth in storytelling and character development.”

Buy Serial Cleaner

5h Median play time
6h Average play time
4-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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