If you were to tell me to imagine Earthworm Jim but with a Metro 2033 aesthetic and a grimmer sense of humor rather than wacky…I am not sure exactly what I would come up with, but Clid the Snail, from developer Weird Beluga and publisher Koch Media, gave me that type of feeling the moment I laid eyes upon it. Starring the eponymous snail, along with your firefly pal Belu, the game is a dark fantasy tale with hints of Sci-Fi in a seemingly post-apocalyptic setting where humans are gone, but various animals have evolved to Mad Max/Fallout style of living with different settlements, fighting off enemies, and scavenging for survival.
Clid is a sardonic outcast who does not fit in. Belu is a firefly who is optimistic and talkative and frequently gets on Clid’s nerves, but will not leave him due to an oath to repay him for saving his life. Naturally, the two make a great pairing in both character and survival, as they help each other along the way – Clid does the fighting, Belu does the exposition and analyzes the environment for objects or dangers. The world is inhabited by different settlements of different animals, for example, Clid’s own snail settlement versus a grasshopper settlement. Over the course of the adventure, you will travel through beautifully rendered environments that make it really feel like an entire world has popped up in the grass beneath your feet.
The environments tell their own stories of grim endings or unknown fantasy magic. The main enemies are the slugs, viciously mutated from their original form much like the other animals that range from standard troopers that want to hit you with sharp objects to wizards casting spells at you, and even kamikaze bugs and acid-spitting flies. Things such as cauldrons of dark magic, abandoned hovels, and the remains of human being are scattered throughout the land. I cracked up when the med kit gifted by one of your only friends read as having sides effects such as “nausea, gastro issues, and erectile dysfunction” – what a wonderful way to heal battle wounds!
A particularly impactful moment that stood out to me is when Clid and Belu come across an engagement ring still in its box, the two owners clearly meeting an untimely end before the happiest moments of their lives. This is contrasted by the humor of the game, where Clid, unable to understand what it is exactly, figures the diamond would be something he could sell for good money anyway, and yanks it off the ring. As the adventure continues, you will meet a wide variety of unique and well-designed characters (I cannot remember the last time I saw a bat outfitted with technology like a cyborg) that draw you ever so more into the world and story.
The gameplay is well-crafted and a joy to use. It’s essentially a top-down action shooter from a different angle. You will use the “WASD” keys on your keyboard to move, spacebar to roll over pits and out of danger, shift to spring, “g” to throw grenades, and “c” to use a med kit. Mouse 1 fires Clid’s awesome laser rifle that can be supercharged to deliver a devastating shot that will literally blow apart the slug menace in a shower of gore. Other weapons will become available as you continue your quest, because why not have an awesome snail warrior with a flame thrower? – it’s fun!
Clid the Snail is a game full of heart and character that plays just as well as it tells a story with fun and intuitive gameplay, excellent artwork, and worldbuilding. It is an experience I would definitely recommend checking out. A grim fable about a snail with a laser gun on a postapocalyptic setting was the last thing I thought I would be playing at the start of 2022, but that is the magic of a new year and a fun gaming experience!
Gameplay – 9.5/10
Story/Atmosphere/Setting – 10/10
Music – 9/10
Overall: 9.5/10
Check Out the Clid the Snail Trailer:
Clid the Snail is available for PC via Steam for $19.99 as well as Epic Games Store, Humble Store, GOG, PS5, and PS4.
Your local neighborhood nutjob, gamer, and teacher! I'm an avid fan of many genres such as platformers, shooters, horror, etc. I am also an avid tabletop gamer - hugely into the worlds of Warhammer and all of their spinoffs. I'm a big believer in being objective - even if something is not my cup of tea, I want to talk about it on the objective level - is it well made, crafted with love, and with care for the fans? If so, that's a good game in my book for someone and well worth their hard earned dollarydoos!
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