Unfortunately, Clawfish isn’t without its faults. Instead, it retains the satisfying feeling of nabbing something and drops the ludicrous flimsiness commonly found in arcades. That doesn’t mean it lacks the challenging charm of a real claw machine. The controls are extremely satisfying, and it’s difficult without ever feeling unfair. The claw mini-game was an absolute highlight of the experience, which is great considering it’s the star of the show. However, overall, including the fish found in buckets, there were 30ish to rescue. “The claw mini-game was an absolute highlight of the experience, which is great considering it’s the star of the show.”Īll three of these machines having a varying amount of fish to collect. The final claw machine released the claw automatically whenever you released a movement key. This meant that I had to time each movement perfectly in order to snap up a fish. The second machine I did had me press the spacebar again upon lowering the claw to close it instead of doing so automatically previously. You move the claw with wasd, and lower it with space. The first machine is the most basic and requires you to only catch five fish. Each one has a different theme and a unique gameplay mechanic. To access them you need to collect five tokens from the machine. There are three claw games scattered across Clawfish’s world. Of course, the most important and enjoyable thing you can do in Clawfish is play the claw game. As I previously mentioned, there’s a ton to interact with too, with posters and signs littering the station walls. There’s a boat you can sail around from platform to platform, and a handful of fish trapped in buckets scattered around. You can buy drinks, which nets you with a cute description of each one. You can skip stones across the water, watching as they bounce and leave a faint ripple in their wake. “The most important and enjoyable thing you can do in Clawfish is play the claw game.”Ĭlawfish has a surprising amount for you to do in its small world. No matter where you go, what you do, or who you see, it’s bound to be magical. The only companionship you’ll find in this desolate yet mesmerising station is a talking bird and the fish you’re destined to release. Exploration is accompanied by a faint uplifting tune that feels almost like a distant memory being repeatedly recollected in your head. Every interactable item has a whimsical description that feels incredibly personal and often apt. The magic, charm and character that Clawfish’s world exudes is outstanding. The setting feels entirely plausible, with small intricate details decorating its dreamy world, yet breathtakingly transcendental. And that is not to detract from the game’s outstanding originality. From the way the landscape appears almost ethereal to the dichotomy of the setting (it feels oddly sombre yet truly magical) I felt entirely immersed in this Ghibli-esque experience. Playing Clawfish is not too dissimilar to watching a Studio Ghibli film. “The magic, charm and character that Clawfish’s world exudes is outstanding.” You get up from your seat, passing by the advertisements and smoking signs, and head toward the claw machines. Enshrouded in a thin layer of mist lies the rest of the station, beckoning you to venture forth. Beneath it runs the train tracks, the rails rising and falling as the water ebbs every so slightly. Before you is a sign, welcoming you to the Clawfish Arcade. As the silence settles, you take a seat, listening for the faint breeze that rolls over the sleepy station. As the train pulls away you see nothing but an empty horizon, the sea stretching for miles. The moment you arrive on its dreamlike platform submerged in soothingly calm water, its hard not to stop for a moment and gaze upon its majesty. In-game Screenshotįrom the offset, Clawfish is stunning. But alas, I needed to return to reality, so that I may inform you that playing Clawfish has been one of the most mesmerising experiences I’ve had all year. To remain surrounded by its glistening blue sea, sitting by the shore and sipping a cold green tea, would be bliss. While my heart sunk as I was hurried away on the train, I knew that someday I’d find myself back there. Now, after a brief, but beautiful stay in Clawfish’s ethereal world my departure feels somewhat bittersweet. When I first laid eyes on Clawfish at the Wholesome Direct and saw those sweet words “available now” I couldn’t help but run, metaphorically, of course, straight to Steam and nab it.
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