Note – This preview of Clive N Wrench is based on the latest alpha build of the game which has been kindly provided by the developer. It does not represent the quality of the final product, which will be reviewed when the development of the game has reached its completion.

As the indie scene has grown and progressed, certain genres have been given a rise in popularity, such as 2D 8-Bit platformers and point and click adventure games. This trend has now moved forward to 3D platformers, with games such as A Hat in Time and Yooka Laylee proving that there is still significant interest for the run and jump antics of various types of characters. One of these new projects is named Clive N Wrench, with its current development cycle being funded entirely through Patreon.

Clive N Wrench is currently in production by a small studio named Dinosaur Bytes. It follows the journey of a rabbit and monkey buddy duo as they attempt to stop the machinations of an evil time travelling lagomorphic scientist named Dr Daucus. Using a time machine in the shape of a fridge, they must put right what has gone wrong and make the long leap home. If you think the puns are limited only to the names of the characters, you will be in for a delightful surprise. From humorous place names to visual slapstick gags during cutscenes, it is clear that Dinosaur Bytes have been working on the fundamentals and gameplay mechanics in equal measure.

In each level of the game, it is your goal to collect all the pocket watches, ancient stones and keys that are scattered through the different areas of history. Collecting these will unlock new areas and locations in the final game, similar to the mechancis that have been used in the Spyro the Dragon and Banjo Kazooie franchises. The latest version of Clive N Wrench provided to us by the developer has four different areas available for us to explore. Bunny I Shrunk The Chimp is a tutorial level set in the home of the protagonists. Somehow, Clive and Wrench have been reduced in size, so you must bounce, swing and swipe your way through the various orientation exercises provided by everyday household objects.

The Great Wen takes the duo back to the foggy streets of Victorian England, where the streets are lined with smirk worthy shop names, and it is possible to take a stroll through the beautiful green grass of Nick Park. Cajun Mob Bog is set in a swamp in the Deep South, where Dr Daucus has set up a voodoo casino to fund his evil ends. Needless to say, it is better to stay away from the water unless you fancy a trip to a fur-ly grave. Finally, The Chimp, The Bag and The Bunny takes Clive and Wrench to the gun wielding streets of the Wild West, complete with a chase on a runaway train and wanted posters featuring characters from other indie games.

Although some of the character’s moves and animations are slightly stiff, the vast majority of the game runs at a very smooth frame rate, with the response time between the player and the character’s interactions being practically non-existent. The soundtrack that has been included in this early release is filled with plenty of high energy tracks, as well as tenser tunes for some of the creepier areas of the worlds on offer.

Overall, Clive N Wrench is shaping up to be a solid 3D platformer filled with charm, wit and finely tuned gameplay. The newest alpha build is available from the developer for Patreon supporters, and the final game is currently projected to be released sometime in the next few years. If you are interested in offering your support to the game’s development, you can visit the game’s official Patreon page, or check the latest available gameplay trailer which has been provided below.