Cloning Clyde is a side-scroller platform

Platform game

A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...

 computer game developed by NinjaBee

NinjaBee

NinjaBee is a game development studio that develops downloadable games for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, handheld consoles, the Wii's WiiWare service and the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade. As a sub-division of Wahoo Studios, NinjaBee is primarily involved in portable or downloadable games, with Wahoo...

. Cloning Clyde was released on July 19, 2006 for the Xbox 360

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...

's Xbox Live Arcade

Xbox Live Arcade

Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...

 and March 15, 2011 for Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...

. The game features a group of identical clones all known as "Clyde" as they work together to try to escape the laboratory in which they are trapped.

Gameplay

Though borrowing heavily from predecessors in the genre, Cloning Clyde adds a new dynamic to gameplay, the ability to switch (at any time) between the various clones in order to complete puzzles that require more than one hand. Additionally, Clydes can combine their DNA with various animals or inanimate objects in special machines that give them access to new abilities. Each Clyde may only be mutated once, but, upon completion of all levels under par time, the player may choose "Mutant Clyde" under the cheat menu and gain access to all abilities simultaneously, except for those of the Rock Transformation.

The Clydes must complete a series of 24 levels, accessible by entering various portals scattered across the lab, in order to be free. Like many platformers, the levels are often themed, taking on the appearance of swamps, the Arctic, etc. Additionally, there are 10 optional challenge levels that are not required to beat the game (but must be completed to attain all 12 achievements).

Only one Clyde may exit the portal in each level, however, there are a number of air vents into which the excess Clyde clones can escape. Though not required to complete the level, completion of this task offers bonus points and the chance to earn an achievement.

There are also a number of "Killer Kenn" action figures that were also cloned and can be collected for bonus points. Two achievements are also tied into the collection of these figures.

Xbox Live

Cloning Clyde offers two online modes of play to subscribers of Xbox Live's Gold service, Co-Op and Versus. Co-Op features the original levels of the game, but allows multiple players, each controlling a Clyde, to work together. Versus, on the other hand, features two teams of Clydes, each responsible for defending a set of security machines from their opponents. The first team to destroy all of its opponents' machines wins.

External links

• Cloning Clyde Reviews at Metacritic.com
• Developer Interview