Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Claymates introduces a refreshing take on side-scrolling platformers by centering its mechanics around shape-shifting. As Clayton, you’re not simply jumping and dodging—you’re transforming into different clay forms to overcome unique obstacles. Each level features hidden power-ups that unlock new transformations, from a speedy clay blob that zips through narrow tunnels to a heavy behemoth that can smash through barriers. This constant evolution of your abilities keeps the platforming challenges feeling fresh and inventive.

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Controls are intuitive yet precise: a single button press triggers each form change, and diagonal inputs let you maneuver in creative ways. Mastering the timing of transformations becomes crucial in later stages, where moving platforms, bottomless pits, and patrolling enemies demand split-second decisions. The pacing strikes a comfortable balance between leisurely exploration and heart-pounding segments, ensuring that both newcomers and seasoned players find something to enjoy.

Between main stages, Claymates presents a quirky world map peppered with small puzzle sequences. Here, you guide a group of rudimentary robots who march forward until blocked, then turn at right angles. Manipulating walls and platforms to shepherd them to exit gates adds a strategic layer that breaks up the platforming with lighthearted brain teasers. These map puzzles reward you with shortcuts, bonus lives, or secret levels, encouraging replay and experimentation.

Graphics

True to its Clay Fighter lineage, Claymates dazzles with colorful, hand-crafted visuals that mimic the tactile charm of real clay. Backgrounds brim with vibrant hues—from dense jungle canopies to fiery volcanic caverns—each rendered in a style that feels both playful and immersive. The clay-model aesthetic extends to every element on screen, creating a cohesive and distinctive artistic identity.

Character animations shine when Clayton morphs into his various clay forms. Each transformation is accompanied by a satisfying stretch, squish, or bounce, lending weight and personality to his new shape. Secondary characters, such as the bumbling robots and the menacing shaman’s minions, move with comedic exaggeration, reinforcing the game’s whimsical tone without distracting from the core platforming action.

While the Super Nintendo’s hardware imposes occasional sprite flicker in very busy scenes, Claymates largely avoids slowdown, even when several animations play simultaneously. The parallax scrolling backgrounds add depth to each level, and subtle details—like drifting clouds, rippling water, or glowing lava—elevate the visual experience, making exploration all the more engaging.

Story

At its heart, Claymates tells a classic rescue tale with enough twists to keep you hooked. Clayton’s scientist father has developed a serum capable of turning humans into animals—a breakthrough that draws the ire of a power-hungry shaman. When Clayton’s father refuses to hand over the formula, the villainous sorcerer turns Clayton himself into a ball of clay and whisks away the serum. Your mission is simple yet compelling: rescue Dad, recover the serum, and save the world from dark magic.

The narrative unfolds through brief cutscenes and on-level vignettes that avoid bogging down the action. Instead of long exposition, each environment subtly expands the story: ancient ruins hint at the shaman’s dark past, while laboratory stages remind you of your father’s scientific genius. Friendly NPCs scattered on the map cheer you on or offer cryptic hints, adding personality without interrupting the flow of gameplay.

Although the plot follows familiar tropes, the combination of charming characters, playful dialogue, and imaginative set pieces elevates the storytelling. You genuinely care about Clayton’s quest and the fate of his father, and the final showdown with the shaman delivers a satisfying conclusion that ties together the game’s humorous and heroic elements.

Overall Experience

Claymates stands out as a memorable platformer that blends inventive mechanics, delightful visuals, and a lighthearted narrative into a cohesive package. Its shape-shifting core offers gameplay variety from start to finish, and the addition of world-map puzzles provides welcome strategic interludes. While some players may find the difficulty spikes in later levels demanding, the game’s generous checkpoints and extra-life secrets strike a fair balance.

Replay value remains high thanks to hidden areas, optional robot-routing puzzles, and the lure of improving your traversal times. Speedrunners will appreciate the nuanced controls and sequence-breaking opportunities, while completionists can hunt for every power-up and secret exit. The well-paced level design ensures that even repeat playthroughs feel fresh.

Overall, Claymates captures the offbeat charm and creativity that fans of the Clay Fighter series will recognize, while forging its own identity as a platforming classic. Whether you’re drawn by nostalgia or discovering it for the first time, this clay-morphing adventure delivers a satisfying blend of challenge, humor, and artistic flair that makes it a worthwhile addition to any retro game collection.

Retro Replay Score

6.9/10