Game Review: Clea (Nintendo Switch)

Clea, a horror game developed and published by InvertMouse, with its initial punishing gameplay might leave gamers feeling frustrated. However, perseverance will result in a satisfying and at times, frightening experience.

You take on the role of the young red-headed (and creepy) looking child, Clea. Tasked with exploring the large Whitlock Mansion where she lives with her family to protect them from monstrous creatures. Of course, while you can explore to your heart’s content, there’s a reason to do so carefully… the Chaos Servants.

The game drops you into the action quickly. After a short dinner table introduction, you’re left to roam the halls and discover just how spooky it all is.

The mansion is split into 6 sections or 6 chapters as it were. Along the way to your eventual final goal, you must solve puzzles and collect clues and notes to unveil just what has been happening within the walls. The latter helps deepen the story as they’re notes from members of the Whitlock family and staff. Some can be truly chilling to read.

Which is what Clea absolutely nails… a chilling atmosphere. Visually, the 2D style works but the clarity and detail to the characters against the gloomier backgrounds really makes them jump off the screen. Be you playing it on a full-screen TV or handheld, Clea looks great, minimal but great, however it’s with sound that Clea stands up to be counted. Every noise, every shuffle of feet, every thump of a heart-beat… it ramps up the strain to levels of uncomfortableness not experienced often in gaming.

The Chaos Servants can hear you but you can also hear them.

It is this, mixed with the limited view of what is in front or behind of you that makes for such an incredibly tense experience. Walk, creep or run, the threat of the Chaos Servants is always there, and should they catch you, it’s game over. It can be frustrating but, you’ll always bemoan the fact that your latest failure was no-ones fault but your own.

Now normally, these sorts of games have little replay value but Clea actually has a ton. There are 3 difficulties and 3 different goals for each chapter. Such as finishing the chapter without making a sound! Good luck with that.

It’s just another reason to constantly re-enter the twisted and horrifying world of Clea. A very well done horror game that leaves an indelible mark.