Cloning Clyde XBOX LIVE Review:

A smaller game gets a smaller review. Nothing against the game, but since its more simple in nature, it will just save me from my verbosity if I keep Xbox Live Arcade Game reviews shorter. Since this is the FIRST! xbox Live arcade review I have to set precedent, even though I will be using the same scale. So onto the review....Cloning Clyde is a really quirky and fun platform/puzzle game. Basically, Clyde has been the subject of some screwy cloning and DNA experiments and Clyde (all of em) want to escape. Each Level involves moving your clyde to the exit in typical platform fashion. To complete a level 100% you have to get all of the cloned copies to safety and collect all the Killer Kenn Dolls.

Gameplay: 8/10
Pros: Like most Xbox Live games, the gameplay is simple and easy to pick up and play. Changing a Clyde into a chicken clyde, frog, sheep, etc. is the best part of the gameplay because it gives him different powers and is just a riot. The co-op mode is quite sufficient as well.

Cons: There is no penalty for dying. If Clyde runs out of power don't worry because a new one will respawn right where you were. This helps to keep the game from frustrating, but hurts the replay value since it makes it easier to help all the Clydes escape and collect all the kenn dolls. The switching between Clydes mechanic needs work.

Graphics: 8/10
Pros: Unique sort of clay-mation /pseudo 3D look. Character models and animations are perfectly wacky.

Cons: Background environments get repetitive...there''s a snow level, an office level tileset, a forest tileset, and a sort of rocky/grassy tileset. The graphics get stale and there should have been more variety in enemies and backgrounds.

Sound/Music: 8/10
Pros: Clyde's "duh" and moronic sounds are absolutely perfect. The squawks of the chickens as you punt them are humorous and work really well. The sounds really outshine the music which is just sufficient.

Cons: The sound and music is very minimalistic and forgetable. What's there is good, but more Clyde voicework would've been great.

Lasting Appeal: 8/10
Pros: If you decide to download this game from the Xbox Marketplace, you will be absolutely dedicated to playing and completing all the levels. It's the perfect game to play a level or two while you download your new demo or expansion pack and then move on.

Cons: After playing 3+ levels in a row, the game gets a little repetitive. You can easily collect all the dolls, escape Clydes, on your first play of a level. Difficulty is too easy and the game isn't necessarily that challenging.

Average: 80.00%
Tilt (+/-): + 0%

For a more casual game, this is way more my style. It takes some of the old school puzzle and platform elements and puts a wacky and humorous spin on the classic Mario formula. The puzzle elements never quite reach Lolo proportions (now that's an old school NES reference) but are enjoyable. Of the Live Arcade games it is one of the better ones available, since Cloning Clyde is an original release and not a rehash of a game I've already played a million times (MK3, Street Fighter 2, etc.). By the way, what's the deal with Ultimate MK3, everyone knows MK2 is the best Mortal Kombat.

Verdict: 80%