I’m always a sucker for 3D Collect-A-Thon platformers. I grew up in my young days beating games like Banjo Kazooie, Super Mario 64, Spyro, and I’m even crazy enough to have completed Donkey Kong 64! (Don’t ask, painful memories.) Needless to say, I adore the genre, and it’s seen a resurgence lately with games like Super Lucky’s Tale, A Hat In Time, and Yooka Laylee. Now comes another competitor to the genre, Clive N’ Wrench!

So what is Clive N’ Wrench?

Developed by Dinosaur Bytes Studio and published by Numskull Games, 

Clive ‘N’ Wrench is a 3D platformer starring Clive, a rabbit, and Wrench, the literal monkey, on his back. After your cousin Nancy’s time travel blueprints are stolen, you are assigned to go through time to retrieve them. Your adventure takes you hurtling through time and space in a 1950s refrigerator on a heroic quest to thwart the tyrannical Dr. Daucus and stop his evil plans. The game sees the pair traveling around dazzling worlds, collecting pivotal items, and facing off against intimidating bosses.

Look, ask anyone who plays 3D platforming games. They usually don’t have the deepest of stories. And that’s fine. We’re not here for Shakespeare. We’re usually here to explore colorful worlds with a quirky character or duo who need to beat a big baddie. Super Mario 64 and Banjo Kazooie defined the genre for a reason. Although, I do hope Dr. Daucus is as memorable as a villain as Gruntilda. I can hope, right?

So. In other words, it hits all the checkmarks of 3D Platformers?

Yes. Clive ‘N’ Wrench is unapologetically a 3D platformer through and through. But it looks like one crafted with a sense of what makes the genre so special for fans. Experimenting with physics to make impossible leaps and jumps, I noticed you could pull off in the trailer. Plus, worlds look varied, and combat looks simple but effective to execute. 

All this is to say that I believe Clive ‘N’ Wrench will fit into the camp of the great 3D platformers in this renaissance the genre has seen lately. You can tell the game was made by a team that loves 3D platformers for what they are. And that goes a long way because fans will notice the minute details that cheap games in this category miss. 

Clive N’ Wrench’s release is right around the corner!

If reading all this has you excited, great news! Clive N’ Wrench is set for release on February 24, 2023! It will be coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, and Steam. The title will also have a physical copy for both systems. The regular edition with the standard game and case. The complete edition will include a manual, fridge magnet, art cards, and the game’s soundtrack. You can pre-order any edition you desire here.

Are you ready to travel through time with this new duo? Let us know in the comments below!