Clockwork Aquario | PS4 Review

Welcome to the review of a 30 year old retro game that almost didn't see a console release. A Westone point focused platformer known as, "Clockwork Aquario". A game meant to be a SEGA release inspired by the Monster World games of yesteryear. Shelved in the early 90's, and almost forgotten, ININ Games in conjunction with Ratalaika Games finished, polished, and released this product with all the features fitting of their latest retro re-releases. You get six modes of play, a gallery, and instant access to the game's original soundtrack as well as it's remixed soundtrack. Host to 3 cartoony characters, and their fight against a fishy mastermind the game comes to life in the most vibrant of ways. With levels of lesser enemies in place for maximum point combos, as well as extra life opportunities, health refills, and a star powered power-ups. It's a short lived adventure where score matters, and how you take out the enemy equally as much.

From the start you'll gain access to the usual screen filters, and settings associated with an ININ Games and Ratalaika retro resurrection. This includes a detailed CRT screen filter with multiple numeric adjustment toggles as well as a few screen size options. Additionally you'll gain immediate access to the training mode which allows you to play through the first two stages to get a feel for the game's mechanics. There are no tutorials though, and most of it will be learned from hands on experience. Beyond the training stages lies three difficulty based modes where the main difference is the amount of continues that you get. Easy mode allows for 9 continues whereas Normal allows for 5, and Hard, 3. As bonus side options the game also offers unlockable access to a bonus minigame mode for up to four players, and an Arcade mode that gifts the gamer access to the arcade cabinet options. Options which allow for the changing of things like life stock, and continues. 

In training mode, easy, normal, hard, and arcade the goal per stage is all the same. You begin by selecting one of three characters including Huck Londo, Elle Moon, or Gush the robot. Once in-game you will face off against stationary, and moving lesser enemies that will have you killing them off with a melee attack, jumping head bump, jumping stomp, or throwing of a stunned enemy that has been hit once, and picked up. By defeating enemies in rapid succession you will get bonus combo points that progressively increase in value. Adding to a score total shown in the upper left hand character icon display. As you move forward through light puzzle platforming stages defeating the lesser enemies they will sometimes drop red potion bottles which will restore one of three hits. Hits taken alter the character's icon appearance, and their own personal appearance onscreen. Along with the potions come the occasional star bubble drop which allows the character to briefly gain invincibility, and shoot three stars forward when the melee button is pressed. An attack which can kill off multiple onscreen enemies at a time. Sometimes combo'd enemies will also drop gems which will fill up a literal ONE UP meter. The ONE UP meter, when filled up, grants the player an extra life. Beyond the lesser enemy engagement there are sub-bosses, and big bosses to face. Sub-bosses open up locked areas with a key while big bosses end a stage gifting bonus points for proper application of mechanics. In general sub-bosses, and big bosses are defeated using the spawning lesser enemies or by using your character's basic melee or head stomping/bumping attacks. 

The Verdict ...

This simple, and somewhat easy point based platformer brings with it a style of gameplay I've honestly never seen before. The point based scoring mechanics really make this game pop, and stand out from the rest. It adds a layer of competitive scoring that can be utilized in the local and online streaming scenes. I have no doubt there are record holders among the current players. The added fact that it comes with ININ & Ratalaika Games' signature feature trimmings really adds extra value to it all. I'd say that this is the type of game for gamers who are looking for something unique. A part of gaming history that would have never been realized had the publishers onboard not picked it up, and polished it for modern consumers. It is a mostly competent, and playable game that makes you question why it wasn't released back in the 90's. It get's the Inferno's star studded seal of approval. A must have for all retro gaming enthusiasts and collectors!!!