Clockwork Aquario Reviews
Clockwork Aquario is a retro two-dimensional platformer. After going through various development cycles, this game has hit the shelves boasting excellent visuals, intuitive gameplay, and a lovely accompanying soundtrack. Does it stand up against modern games? Or should it have been left in the dust? Find out in this Rapid Review.
With its huge character sprites, vibrant colors, and old-school side-scrolling design, Clockwork Aquario should certainly charm retro gaming fans...
The arcade roots of Clockwork Aquario are proudly on display - for better or worse. While it proves to be a fun side-scrolling romp, it is also far too cheap and short for its own good. This time capsule is still worth a go, but even the staunchest side-scrolling fan should be aware of what they’re getting into.
Clockwork Aquario is a product of its time. The short game length and high difficulty are similar to its 90s counterparts. Unfortunately, due to this, there aren’t many reasons to revisit the game after playing through the meager number of stages. The score-based gameplay is a fresh twist and makes for an addictive platforming experience. Gaining multipliers and working out routes is fun whether playing on your own or with a partner. Even with its beautiful, chunky pixel art and vivid backgrounds, the game’s shortage of content and high price, make this a forgettable re-emergence rather than a celebrated return.
Clockwork Aquario is an old-school and colorful arcade game which sticks to its original roots. Developed to be a coin consuming experience, its shortness will only be forgiven by those willing to perfect their score. Simple and still quite fun, Clockwork Aquario is more valuable when shared with a friend.
Review in French | Read full review
Is it a fun classic side-scroller that’s worth £17 of your money? Yes, if you like or liked these games and want something both fresh and classic all in one joyous colour bundle.
On the one hand, I can say Westone's arcade "treasure" was worth the wait when viewed as a piece of gaming history. But, as an ININ Games published release in 2021, not as much. Once the warm fuzzies wear off, you're left with a short game with little replay incentive due to a lack of online leaderboards. Combined with a lack of both standard and extra features, I'd wait for this $19.99 release to get a sizable discount unless you're an arcade fanatic who has someone readily available for two-player co-op.
Sadly Clockwork Aquario offers little challenge and can be completed in next to no time at all. Once the game has been beaten for the first time everything is unlocked and the only thing left to do is look at a rather nice gallery or try to beat your own high scores. If there is one element that saves Clockwork from being forgotten for another thirty years, it is it’s co-op mode. While the levels stay the same, save for a few extra baddies, the frantic experience of simultaneously playing with and against Player Two is the genuine highlight of the game.
Clockwork Aquario is just a wonderful arcade experience that had me grinning throughout. As a retro gamer and Wonder boy series fanboy this seemed like probably the best early Xmas present I could ask for this year (that’s gaming related). Now putting my fandom to the side I will point out this is a very short arcade game with very minimal extras. Some may feel this doesn’t justify the price of entry. However, this art style is gorgeous, the game is co-op and the feel-good factors I had playing this more than justifies the praise that this product deserves. Clockwork Aquario may have been deemed unsuitable for the industry back in the day but it sure fits in now and I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to experience it.
It's a great retro novelty, capable of filling the hearts of fans. It just doesn't melt them due to poor longevity.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Was it worth the wait? Absolutely; a restoration project of this magnitude is worthy of note, if nothing else — but when the final game ends up being a lot of charming fun on top of all that, then yes, it most definitely was worth the wait.