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Cloning Clyde Review - Page 1
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| - Luke, Staff Writer |
| Friday, July 21, 2006 |
| | Title:
Cloning Clyde
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System:
Xbox Live Arcade
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Genre:
2D Side-Scroller
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Publisher:
Wahoo Games
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Developer:
NinjaBee Studios
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Release:
7/19/2006
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Online:
Yes
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ESRB:
E
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Can a game get any weirder? From booting chickens across large areas to controlling a man with his backside completely naked, Cloning Clyde certainly takes the term unique and defines it more than any other Live Arcade game has done to date. Its quirky setting, innovative gameplay mechanics, and all around play are certainly something that developer NinjaBee can be proud of. For 800 Microsoft Points, this could well be the very best Arcade title out to date.
Cloning Clyde takes all the elements of the old successful 2D side-scrolling games, but gives it a 3D environment in which to showcase this interesting style. The story is highly comical in itself, and really is a classic tale of a below-average intelligence human being. Clyde will do anything for some money, and when an organization known as Dupliclone Inc. offers him twenty bucks for some rudimentary tests, he jumps with glee and follows them into their building test lab. Soon after however, Clyde realizes that this wasn’t some standard test, as he has in fact been cloned extensively. Now, with the help of his clone army and the notes they leave, he must secure his freedom cohesively along with his clones.
As said before, Cloning Clyde plays from a 2D perspective but with 3D models and environments, all which certainly add up to the whole gameplay experience. The games story takes place across 25 different individualistic levels, all of which are played across different types of terrain. From the outset, the objective of each level is simple. Take Clyde across the area and destroy all of the security robot guardians while collecting the legendary Killer Kenn action figures in hope of escaping Dupliclone’s evil clutches. It’s all very simple stuff, but when playing, it’s wonderfully fun and intuitive, and incredibly funny.
Clyde himself needs some kind of offensive maneuvers to get him through the numerous baddies he will face, and NinjaBee have provided the very best action available, and the one that makes sense the most - Kung-fu. That’s right, Clyde is a master of the martial art, and he can use his prolific moves with a simple press of the X button. One press will send Clyde into an insane mannerism, in which he uses his lightening quick reflexes to take down any potential threats ahead of him. Collect enough DNA Strands in the level and you can activate the crazy attack. Pressing the right bumper when this is charged will simply obliterate anything in site, all the while making the screen a nice shade of blue to indicate Clyde’s newfound rage.
Puzzles are something that make Cloning Clyde so different and original, and is a sheer tribute to the great developers at Ninja Bee. By using the clone machines in the building, you can solve puzzles quicker and more efficiently than before. Need four buttons pressed down at one time? Simply duplicate yourself enough times and place the clones on the buttons. Likewise, sometimes you will need access to higher places which Clyde cannot reach himself. Solution? Duplicate yourself and place them on a giant catapult. It’s very witty and great fun, and is not just there for the gimmick or novelty of it; it all contributes to the actual game.
When playing in the later stages of the opening section, you will notice some very interesting machines indeed. Pull the lever next to them, and an animal will drop on the opposite platform from you. This is the cross-cloning machine, and will allow Clyde to transform himself into a whole range of intoxicating breeds. These include Frog-Clyde, Chicken-Clyde, and even Sheep-Clyde. Again, these aren’t flashy gimmicks, for they all have different attributes and characteristics that you can use to your advantage. For instance, being part chicken allows you to reach higher places, thanks to its ‘flying’ abilities. Being part sheep gives you great speed and agility, and enables Clyde with the capability to jump tremendously high. All of these elements are brilliantly executed, and are integral in completing all that Cloning Clyde has to offer.
There are, however, some minor flaws in the gameplay. The first of which is moving around the environment. Clyde’s normal jumping sometimes is frustrating to use, as you will slide off of ledges when reaching them. While the way he controls is excellent, it can be tough attacking things such as security robots, due to the fact that he is not accurate enough because of the 2D view you have. Another flaw which is pretty evident is the fact that the game, being a 2D scroller, can become tedious and repetitive after long periods of play.
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