amazon Serial Cleaner reviews
The stealth category, or we still call it surreptitious, has a lot of modern game monuments. But Serial Cleaner does not go that route. Developers choose a very specific way for the game, with its distinctive graphics and 2D top-down gameplay. The main character of the game is Bob, doing a “cleaning up of the field” job for a friend in the mafia gang nicknamed Cleaner. Through this connection, Bob is given a mysterious assassin named Echo Killer who is often assigned the task of “cleaning up”. But as time goes on, things get even more complicated until the unexpected happens.
Serial Cleaner’s graphics use mostly brown, yellow, and cream colors, which match the theme of the game. It carries a lot of cartoon drawings in the 70s, perhaps to follow the plot of the game. I personally do not feel the need to use these colors, it makes the eyes look not so tender. But that seems to be the purpose of the design, to make it more difficult for people to monitor progress on the screen. On the other hand, Serial Cleaner uses a modern top-down view. It helps you cover the game overall, and makes decisions that match the game’s stealth mode.
At first, the content idea in Serial Cleaner surprised me a little. Probably because I often see this kind of story in the movie. It’s not that great, but it does a pretty good job of bringing the characters’s backgrounds and well-designed screens. Every time after completing “work”, the character returned home with his mother to prepare for the next mission. Through the information that you can “see” in newspapers, radio and television, players will gradually understand the story of the main character and why Bob does this job.
With the stealth mode, the Serial Cleaner gameplay is almost the same as hide and seek with every new level of play that adds new elements. The player’s task is to collect “steel evidence,” clean bloodstains and “fix” the bodies to certain areas of the map. Of course not everything just stops there. You also have to avoid police or security, take shortcuts and play “cheat” to make way for “work”. Later on, this gameplay requires high accuracy and the level of difficulty increases, is wider and more vulnerable.
Although speaking is quite simple, but experience brings a different feeling. Serial Cleaner has “team” A.I. quality uneven. They can very quickly give up finding the character of the player upon discovery, to catch up with Bob endlessly. On the other hand, each level has a number of presets, changing every time the main character is captured by the enemy and playing again. This means that in the next turn, you may encounter a different level than you did before. The position of some things that the task requires to solve will change, only the enemy is still “remain old”.
It is this element that makes the game experience unbearable after you get too caught up. Not to mention, if you like a challenge or a certain level of play, you can revise some elements of that level. For example, “delete” all the places can hide in the game, or experience the two colors in black and white. Developer is also quite delicate when hiding some items collected in the game. If found, players can unlock Bob’s outfits and some special non-plot related scenes, inspired by such famous 70’s movies as Taxi Driver or Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
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Serial Cleaner (Indie) – PS4 [Digital Code]: Buy it now
Serial Cleaner [Online Game Code]: Buy it now
Actually, the default difficulty of the game is enough to cause difficulties for players. Later, the map is also larger and more accurate. Every time you get caught up near the end of the game is a “never-ending pain” that you easily give up. Players are forced to play from the beginning of the screen, starting everything from scratch, losing all of their effort from the beginning. These “pains” are quite permanent in the Serial Cleaner experience. You will need a lot of patience to be able to complete the entire game.
Music in the Serial Cleaner is one of the most interesting aspects of the game. The soundtrack of the game almost all are gentle jazz or rock music rhythmic strength. I do not often listen to music but the tone of the music in the game sounds very different. It feels old enough not to bring modern music of today. So I guess the Serial Cleaner also uses 70s for the soundtrack. Just a pity, the game has a lot of dialogue in and between games. All are only text, not dubbing.
Last, Serial Cleaner is a very stealth game titles. Despite the high difficulty level and the gameplay is a repetitive but very interesting, causing the players many times feel “crazy”. Not to mention, the graphics and soundtrack are impressive, that is likely to be your experience of the game experience.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Core Gameplay
At its core, “Serial Cleaner” is a stealth puzzle game that challenges players to clean up crime scenes and avoid detection by the police. Players assume the role of a cleaner who must remove evidence, such as bodies and bloodstains, from crime scenes to ensure that no trace of the crime is left behind.
The gameplay revolves around a combination of strategic planning, stealth tactics, and problem-solving. Each level presents a new crime scene with specific objectives and constraints, requiring players to carefully navigate the environment and avoid detection.
Levels and Objectives
The game features a variety of levels, each with its own unique crime scene and set of objectives. Objectives include:
- Removing Bodies: Players must find and dispose of bodies to prevent the police from discovering them.
- Cleaning Bloodstains: Bloodstains must be cleaned to remove any evidence of the crime.
- Collecting Evidence: Players may need to collect and dispose of other forms of evidence, such as weapons or documents.
Each level presents a different challenge, with varying layouts, obstacles, and police patrols. Players must plan their actions carefully and use stealth tactics to avoid being spotted.
Stealth Mechanics
Stealth is a crucial element of “Serial Cleaner.” The game’s stealth mechanics involve avoiding detection by police officers and other characters in the environment. Players must use a variety of strategies to remain hidden, including:
- Hiding in Shadows: Players can hide in shadows or behind objects to avoid being seen by patrols.
- Distraction: Distraction techniques, such as creating noise or moving objects, can be used to divert the attention of police officers.
- Timing: Players must carefully time their movements to avoid crossing paths with police officers.
The stealth mechanics are designed to be intuitive yet challenging. Players must balance speed and caution to complete each level successfully while avoiding detection.
Controls and Interface
The controls in “Serial Cleaner” are straightforward and easy to learn. Players use a combination of keyboard or controller inputs to move their character, interact with objects, and execute actions. The game’s interface provides clear indicators for objectives, character position, and police patrols.
The controls are responsive, allowing players to navigate the environment and execute actions with precision. The interface is designed to keep players focused on the gameplay, providing essential information without overwhelming them.
Difficulty and Challenge
“Serial Cleaner” offers a range of difficulty levels, allowing players to tailor the challenge to their preferences. The game’s difficulty is influenced by factors such as:
- Police AI: The behavior and awareness of police officers can vary based on difficulty, with higher difficulty levels featuring more vigilant and challenging patrols.
- Objectives: The complexity of objectives and the number of tasks required can increase with difficulty.
- Time Limits: Some levels may impose time limits, adding an additional layer of challenge.
The game’s difficulty is well-balanced, providing a challenging experience without being overly frustrating. Players can adjust the difficulty level based on their skill level and experience, ensuring that the game remains engaging and enjoyable.
Graphics and Art Style
Visual Design
“Serial Cleaner” features a distinctive art style that captures the retro aesthetic of the 1970s. The game’s visual design is characterized by:
- Stylized Graphics: The game employs a stylized, top-down perspective with a retro-inspired visual style. The graphics are colorful and detailed, reflecting the setting and atmosphere of the 1970s.
- Detailed Environments: The crime scenes are meticulously designed, with a range of objects and elements that contribute to the immersive experience. The environments are diverse, including locations such as houses, warehouses, and offices.
- Character Design: The character designs are expressive and fit the retro theme of the game. The cleaner and police officers are depicted with distinct visual styles that enhance the overall atmosphere.
The visual design of “Serial Cleaner” contributes to the game’s unique identity and creates an engaging and immersive experience. The retro aesthetic adds charm and personality to the game, making it stand out in the stealth genre.
Performance and Optimization
The performance of “Serial Cleaner” is generally smooth and consistent. The game is optimized for a range of platforms, including PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Players can expect a polished visual experience with high-resolution graphics and well-designed animations.
The game runs smoothly on most systems, with few issues related to frame rate or graphical glitches. The optimization ensures that players can enjoy a seamless and immersive experience without technical disruptions.
Sound and Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of “Serial Cleaner” features a blend of retro-inspired music that complements the game’s 1970s setting. The music is upbeat and fitting for the game’s tone, adding to the overall atmosphere and immersion.
The soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience by creating a dynamic and engaging audio environment. The music is well-suited to the game’s action and helps to maintain a consistent mood throughout the levels.
Sound Effects and Voice Acting
Sound effects play a crucial role in “Serial Cleaner,” with each action, such as cleaning bloodstains or moving objects, accompanied by distinct sounds. The sound effects are well-designed and contribute to the game’s overall realism and immersion.
The game features minimal voice acting, with most dialogue delivered through text. While the lack of voice acting may limit the narrative experience, it does not detract from the overall gameplay.
Story and Narrative
Plot and Setting
“Serial Cleaner” is set in the 1970s and follows the story of a cleaner who is hired to clean up crime scenes and remove evidence. The game’s narrative is delivered through a series of levels and in-game events, providing context for the gameplay and setting.
The story is relatively minimal, with the primary focus on the gameplay and objectives. The narrative elements provide background information and context for the crime scenes, but the main emphasis is on the stealth and puzzle mechanics.
Character Development
The game features a range of characters, including the cleaner and various police officers. While character development is limited, the characters add depth to the game’s universe and provide context for the gameplay.
The character development is achieved through in-game dialogue and background information, allowing players to learn more about the world and its inhabitants. The focus remains primarily on the gameplay and mechanics, with the narrative serving as a supplementary element.
Replayability
Levels and Challenges
Replayability is a key feature of “Serial Cleaner.” The game offers a range of levels, each with its own unique crime scene and set of objectives. Players can revisit levels to improve their performance, complete achievements, and explore different strategies.
The game’s difficulty levels and variety of objectives provide ample opportunities for replayability. Players can experiment with different approaches and tactics to achieve the best results and discover new strategies.
Achievements and Unlockables
The game features a range of achievements and unlockables that add to the replayability. Players can earn achievements by completing specific objectives or performing well in the levels. Unlockables, such as new equipment or customization options, provide additional incentives for replaying the game.
The achievements and unlockables contribute to the overall experience, encouraging players to revisit the game and explore different aspects of the gameplay.
Critique and Conclusion
Strengths
- Unique Stealth Mechanics: The combination of stealth and puzzle elements creates a unique and engaging gameplay experience. The need to avoid detection while cleaning up crime scenes adds depth and challenge to the gameplay.
- Retro Aesthetic: The game’s retro-inspired visual design and soundtrack contribute to its charm and atmosphere. The 1970s setting is well-realized and adds personality to the game.
- Challenging Gameplay: The game’s difficulty levels and diverse objectives provide a challenging and rewarding experience. The balance of stealth and strategy ensures that players are constantly engaged and motivated to improve their performance.
- Well-Designed Levels: The levels are meticulously designed, with a range of environments and obstacles that contribute to the gameplay. The variety of crime scenes and objectives adds depth and variety to the game.
Weaknesses
- Minimal Narrative Depth: The story and character development are relatively minimal compared to other narrative-driven games. The focus remains primarily on the gameplay, with limited exploration of the game’s world and characters.
- Repetitive Gameplay: While the core mechanics are engaging, the gameplay can become repetitive over time. The objectives and tasks may feel similar across different levels, potentially impacting long-term enjoyment.
- Limited Voice Acting: The lack of voice acting may detract from the narrative experience for some players. The reliance on text-based dialogue may limit the game’s overall immersion and emotional impact.
Conclusion
“Serial Cleaner” is a distinctive and well-crafted stealth puzzle game that offers a unique blend of gameplay mechanics and retro aesthetics. Its innovative stealth mechanics, challenging gameplay, and charming visual design make it a standout entry in the genre.
While there are some criticisms regarding the minimal narrative depth and repetitive gameplay, the game’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. “Serial Cleaner” provides an engaging and immersive experience for fans of stealth and puzzle games, with ample opportunities for replayability and experimentation.
In conclusion, “Serial Cleaner” is a compelling and enjoyable game that delivers a fresh and unique experience. Its combination of stealth mechanics, retro aesthetics, and challenging gameplay make it a worthwhile addition to any gamer’s collection.