In a time where it seems less and less likely to ever see
another Mega Man game or even more so a Mega Man Legends game, it’s crucial to
discover and support games like Gunman Clive. The sole creator, Bertil Horgberg,
sees the potential in classic game play with the polish of modern graphics. Although
Gunman Clive may be built on the difficult platforming and shooting bones of
Mega Man, its old school roots doesn’t end there. The game also combines weapon
power-ups and a run-and-gun style of Contra with platforming elements pulled
from the great Mario games, and even Donkey Kong Country.
Showcasing the art style of a sepia toned Wild West poster
coming to life, Gunman Clive looks like no shooter before it. The game plays up
the Wild West theme with town shootouts, bad guys on horse back and even gunplay
on speeding locomotives. But what makes the game unique is when the Once Upon A
Time in The West themes are left behind and the more fantastical elements are
added. One of the boss fights is with a dancing steam locomotive and you even
get to fly to the moon in a SHMUP inspired rocket ride level.
Gunman Clive is short but the game boasts tons of
replay-ability, I played through the game on Normal
difficulty with Clive and then again on Hard difficulty with Mrs. Johnson (the
other playable character). There is also a third way to play the game once you complete
it and this interesting addition just backs up how great the level design is. The
game is also difficult, but not impossible, and every time I died I knew it was
because I made the mistake not because the game was being cheap. Gunman Clive
is available for $1.99 on Android, iOS and 3Ds eShop. I have my copy on the
eShop and although it was the last version to come out it’s already more
popular that any of the previous versions. I think anyone who can play the game
should buy it for what ever platform they prefer but if you have the choice get
in on the eShop. I also hope that the success of Gunman Clive on the eShop
proves to developers that a successful indie game can to well on the 3DS and
maybe more games that would have only seen Android and iOS would come our way.
Stay Classy,
Travis (Jarv)
