The Last Clockwinder

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 512 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Last Clockwinder Game Cover
The Last Clockwinder beautifully takes advantage of what VR offers and marries it with elegantly simple design that allows us to create some beautiful chaos we can each take ownership of.
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In "The Last Clockwinder," players repair a clocktower and uncover ancient secrets using Clockwinder’s gloves. These gloves create looping clockwork clones that repeat actions, enabling players to automate tasks, coordinate teamwork, and solve puzzles. The game is a cozy sci-fi experience with a watchmaking, sci-fi-inspired setting and a focus on natural beauty.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Virtual Reality
  • Windows
  • Oculus Rift
  • Play​Station
  • Play​Station VR2
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 512 reviews
story120 positive mentions
stability5 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and innovative cloning mechanic that allows players to automate tasks creatively, making it a standout experience in VR.
  • The visuals and sound design are charming and immersive, contributing to a cozy atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
  • The puzzles are engaging and provide a satisfying challenge, with opportunities for optimization that encourage replayability.
  • The game is relatively short, typically taking around 4-6 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • There are occasional bugs and inconsistencies with the physics and clone behavior, which can lead to frustration during gameplay.
  • The lack of smooth locomotion and turning options may detract from the experience for some players who prefer more control over their movement in VR.
  • story214 mentions

    The story in this game is widely praised for its charm and heartwarming qualities, effectively complementing the engaging puzzle mechanics. While it is generally described as short and simple, many players appreciate its whimsical atmosphere, delightful voice acting, and the way it unfolds through exploration and audio logs. Overall, the narrative enhances the gameplay experience, making it a memorable part of the game despite some critiques regarding its brevity and occasional lack of depth.

    • “The last clockwinder combines the system-design puzzling of a game like Factorio with the precise, complex body movements only feasible with VR, a simple yet powerful story, and likable, well-acted characters, all within a whimsical, mysterious setting.”
    • “The story is genuinely charming so far, but the focus is certainly the gameplay.”
    • “The storytelling mostly via audio and short transition cutscenes is non-intrusive while usually allowing you to keep on doing whatever you were doing, weaving a bittersweet but heartwarming tale of someone exploring a cherished childhood past through older, wiser eyes and uncovering the secrets they were too young to understand.”
    • “The story is told in a way that it's boring for VR.”
    • “I don't feel like these types of games benefit from having a bunch of backstory and lore.”
    • “Its limited scope works in favor of its world, but the otherwise relatable story being told only through audio recordings is a little disappointing.”
  • gameplay178 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Last Clockwinder" is widely praised for its unique and innovative mechanics, particularly the cloning system that allows players to automate tasks in a satisfying and engaging manner. Reviewers highlight the game's effective use of VR to create a cozy atmosphere and enjoyable puzzle-solving experience, though some note minor mechanical issues and a desire for more content. Overall, the gameplay is described as smooth, fun, and a standout example of what VR can offer in terms of interactive mechanics.

    • “The core mechanic is so fun and different.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are one of a kind, and I don't think there is another game that's coming close.”
    • “Easily the best VR puzzle game I've ever played, with one of the most ingenious and satisfying uses of mechanics that I've played in a long while.”
    • “I discovered a bug that disrupted the main mechanic so much that I couldn't bear to play it anymore.”
    • “Gameplay concept is unique and has exciting potential, but the execution leaves something to be desired.”
    • “Clockwinder, however, doesn't wring out its automation mechanics the way those other games do.”
  • graphics64 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and colorful art style, which enhances the overall experience and complements the engaging narrative. Many reviewers highlight the visuals as cozy and aesthetically pleasing, with a unique design that works well in VR, although some note a desire for more realistic textures and interactivity. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's delightful atmosphere and immersive puzzle mechanics.

    • “The art style is quite nice and easy on the eyes, and quite colorful unlike most VR games. The combination of puzzle automation and VR works really well together.”
    • “The visuals are really pretty yet simple, so the game runs very well. The puzzles are semi-easy to solve yet still make you use your brain.”
    • “The graphics are nice and fit well with the theme of the game; the voice acting is outstanding!”
    • “You can't change the graphics, only have a snap turn as an option and no smooth movement.”
    • “[lacks interactivity, simple visuals, can be awkward to position yourself]”
    • “While Clockwinder had better graphics and an actual story that Transpose lacked, Transpose had more depth, creative perspectives, and had more challenging puzzles.”
  • music46 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful composition and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its calming and engaging qualities. The soundtrack dynamically evolves as players progress through puzzles, adding a layer of enjoyment and immersion to the gameplay experience. Overall, the combination of excellent music, sound design, and voice acting contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The way the music builds up as you create more clones to automate each room just adds to the great feeling you get for solving a puzzle in the most efficient manner.”
    • “The music ranges from great to hauntingly beautiful - I had to look up the composer (Joel Corelitz).”
    • “I've not even touched on the actual gameplay here, but the way the music builds with each clone recorded and combines instruments to create a unique tune brings an immediately noticeable joy to making progress in the puzzles.”
    • “It's the only real thing I was disappointed in: the music room.”
    • “The music and tone is calming (especially given it is about cranking out the most refined machine built entirely of your collective recorded actions).”
    • “Very polished in terms of aesthetic, music, and story.”
  • optimization28 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is well-received, with many players noting smooth performance and minimal bugs, particularly on PC and VR platforms. While some users experienced occasional stuttering, the majority found the optimization puzzles engaging and creatively challenging, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. The game is designed to be accessible, allowing for both casual play and deeper optimization strategies, making it enjoyable for a wide range of players.

    • “Took about 5 hours to play through the story, but it would have been longer if you take the time to hit all the optimization goals (I did on a couple I felt were really cool).”
    • “Optimization is easily the funnest challenge, but it's a comfortable 10 hours of creativity and fun.”
    • “I get that it was optimized for mobile first; my PC performance doesn't get taxed at any point.”
    • “Even though the VR performance graph showed plenty of headroom, I'd get some inconsistent stuttering, which could make it hard to do that throwing and catching.”
    • “Of course, the game never requires you to do either of these things -- but if you were specifically going in hoping to pull off clever optimizations, just bear in mind that that aspect of the experience isn't quite what you might hope it to be.”
  • emotional27 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and touching narrative, which evokes feelings of nostalgia and wonder. Players appreciate the wholesome characters and the bittersweet story that unfolds through engaging puzzles and beautiful visuals, often leading to a satisfying and emotional conclusion. While some find the story underdeveloped, the overall sentiment is that it successfully creates a memorable and impactful experience that resonates deeply with players.

    • “I don't say this often, but in the best possible way, there were parts of this game that made me feel like a kid again in how strangeness would turn to wonder.”
    • “Oh, and the story was so touching it *literally* made me cry.”
    • “The storytelling mostly via audio and short transition cutscenes is non-intrusive while usually allowing you to keep on doing whatever you were doing, weaving a bittersweet but heartwarming tale of someone exploring a cherished childhood past through older, wiser eyes and uncovering the secrets they were too young to understand.”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy, relaxing, and whimsical qualities, enhanced by beautiful art, pleasant music, and engaging lore. Reviewers highlight the perfect blend of a calming environment with fun puzzles and a charming story, creating an inviting experience that players find enjoyable and immersive. Overall, the game's atmosphere significantly contributes to its appeal, making it a standout feature.

    • “Cozy environment with pretty lighting and a very pleasant atmosphere overall.”
    • “The lore is pretty well-done; it contributes nicely to the atmosphere of the game, as do the music and visual style.”
    • “Art and music are outstanding; the clocktower feels inviting and relaxing just to be in, which lends an enjoyable atmosphere to the whole experience.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is driven by the challenge of optimizing sequences and achieving higher efficiency in each level, which some players find engaging. However, many users express a desire for additional content, such as a New Game+ mode or more challenging puzzles, as the game can be completed relatively quickly, leading to limited replay value once all challenges are mastered. While some players appreciate the satisfaction of refining their strategies, others feel that the lack of substantial new content diminishes long-term replayability.

    • “The only critique I have is that the main game is the right amount of length. It does have replayability if you want to be obsessed with optimizing your sequences, but I would like a New Game+ mode where it would be the same exact game but with much harder puzzles, giving people like me something to chew on.”
    • “It only took me about 4 hours to finish the game, but that being said, most of my solutions were very inefficient, and there is replayability in going back and optimizing.”
    • “Typically with these kinds of games, I just go through once, but the satisfaction of setting up a little assembly line like this has more replayability value than I expected, especially since each level has various challenges (more production per minute and/or fewer clones) -- but really, the drive to go back and redo things is just for the joy of creating an efficient system.”
    • “For the full price, I'd expect more content/playtime and replayability.”
    • “Once you've beaten all the challenges, there's not much in the way of replay value.”
    • “Not very long though and not much replay value.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability is mixed; while it runs smoothly on some platforms with high-quality presentation and voice acting, users report various bugs, particularly with gameplay mechanics like fruit interactions and cloning features. Overall, the experience can feel inconsistent, with some elements functioning well and others being notably problematic.

    • “Runs great.”
    • “Runs great on the Index.”
    • “It can be fun at first, but it's quite buggy and feels really half-baked.”
    • “The flying fruit could be very buggy; one minute lining up perfectly, the next unsynced.”
    • “The float fruits can be very buggy, and one of the pipes will not accept the fruits, overflowing the pipe.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky interactions and absurd scenarios, leading to moments of genuine joy and laughter. Players appreciate the comedic elements of the gameplay, such as the amusing challenges and the unexpected outcomes of their actions, which create a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Overall, the humor is described as both funny and complex, enhancing the enjoyment of the game.

    • “What’s funny is it’s near-impossible to explain the appeal to someone who hasn’t seen the game.”
    • “I found myself laughing out of pure joy and excitement after setting tight sequences between the gardeners.”
    • “Overall super pleasant game, I found myself laughing at my own shenanigans far more often than I'd thought.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be well-balanced, with a gradual introduction to mechanics that avoids overwhelming or tedious gameplay. While some later puzzles can become repetitive, the overall experience is engaging and maintains a fun pace without feeling excessively drawn out.

    • “It's fun and original, but not made for tethered HMDs; mine was constantly twisting around the cable from performing all the actions... some later puzzles/tasks get quite tedious (building the large 'molecules'), but it's still worth it.”
    • “Just the right length where it doesn't begin to feel tedious.”
    • “I was afraid it would be a tedious battle trying to avoid bugs of minutia.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Buy The Last Clockwinder

Play time

5hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
5hMain story
9hCompletionist
4-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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