The Cleaner

About

"The Cleaner" is a single-player game with a deeply emotional and intriguing story. As a trauma cleaner, face the end of society and uncover a mysterious request in 5 cleanable locations with 6 mini-games. The game features a high-quality lo-fi soundtrack and an exclusive artbook on Steam, offering a few hours of immersive gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

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

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews

story28 positive mentions

gameplay7 negative mentions

The game features a heartfelt and emotional story that resonates deeply with players, often leading to tears by the end.
The characters are well-developed, and their relationship evolves beautifully throughout the narrative, making it engaging and relatable.
For its low price, the game offers a compelling experience that combines light gameplay with a rich narrative, making it a worthwhile purchase.

The gameplay mechanics are repetitive and simplistic, primarily revolving around cleaning mini-games that some players found boring.
There are several grammatical and writing issues in the dialogue, which can detract from the overall experience for some players.
The game is heavily dialogue-driven, which may not appeal to those looking for more interactive gameplay or action.

story
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
57%
8%
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth and character development, often leaving players heartbroken yet fulfilled. While some found plot holes and moments of confusion, the overall narrative is described as beautiful, unique, and well-paced, making it the standout feature of the game. Players appreciate the blend of a heartwarming love story set against an apocalyptic backdrop, with many expressing a desire for more content in this engaging narrative.
- “I am devastated and heartbroken at the story, but I love every second of it.”
- “Even though the game takes place in a world currently undergoing a form of the apocalypse, the story between the two characters was incredible.”
- “This is an absolutely beautiful story of love and redemption, with some light cleaning elements to the game.”
- “The plot seems to have some holes here and there that don't really make much sense... but maybe there is more work planned in the future to fill in those gaps.”
- “It did leave me quite confused about a lot of the overall story of what is happening in this world.”
- “Of course, if you don't like story-centered games and if you don't want to read, you won't like this game, but personally, that's what I love about it.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is widely praised for its deeply emotional narrative, with many players reporting intense feelings that led to tears and sobbing. Reviewers describe it as a heartwarming experience that is both satisfying and impactful, often leaving them with a sense of emotional turmoil. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking a poignant storytelling experience.
- “Such a heartfelt and emotional game, would highly recommend.”
- “I ugly cried at a certain part but the narrative was very emotionally satisfying.”
- “Overall great narrative pace, great story, great characters, I cried many times and if you're considering buying this game I 100% recommend it!”
gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
47%
41%
The gameplay primarily revolves around repetitive cleaning mechanics, which some players find boring but fitting for the game's atmosphere. While the mechanics are simple and consist mainly of clicking objects and quick time events, they serve to break up the dialogue rather than provide substantial gameplay. Despite its shortcomings, the story is often praised for compensating for the lackluster gameplay experience.
- “The game mechanics aren't that overwhelming, but somewhat innovative, so I wish more RPG-type games would have these different minigames.”
- “The only gameplay mechanic is 'cleaning'.”
- “The only 'mechanics' involved here are cleaning a room over the course of multiple days.”
- “The cleaning mini game is most of the gameplay here, and it's mainly clicking objects or mini quick time events.”
- “The game is roughly 2 hours long and the gameplay isn't the best.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique art style that complements its interesting story, featuring humorous cleaning elements that, while repetitive, add charm. Additionally, the use of the DALL-E image generator for some artwork is thematically appropriate and enhances the overall visual experience.
- “This game uses the DALL-E image generator for some artwork, but it fits thematically.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted through its amusing cleaning elements, which, while somewhat repetitive, contribute to an interesting story and appealing art style. Overall, players find the humor to be a charming aspect, even if it's considered a minor detail.
- “But truly this is such a small nitpick, I just thought it was funny.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The music in the game is noted for its pleasant style that contributes to a relaxed atmosphere, even in darker themes, but it ultimately fails to make a significant impact on players. Some users also mention the presence of AI-generated art, which may be a concern for certain players.
- “The art and music have a nice style, and help set that chill mood (even at the end of the world, cleaning up after dead people!) - although there is some AI-generated art, if that's something that will put you off (since it doesn't mention this on the main page).”
- “The music didn't stand out much for me.”
- “The music didn't stand out much for me.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a captivating sense of mystery that engages players and keeps them pondering throughout the experience. This intriguing ambiance enhances the overall storytelling, drawing players deeper into the narrative.
- “I really like the mysterious atmosphere that runs through the story, as it keeps you wondering throughout the game.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and boring, suggesting that more engaging writing in the conversations could have improved their experience.
- “If the conversations were at least written in a more engaging way, it could have been a game I'd enjoy; however, I just found it tedious and boring.”