Clockwork Apple Demo

Steampunk stories are usually quite exciting and enjoyable, depending on whether the writers put some thought into the concepts. However, it’s all about the artwork, because steampunk has an established art style that mixes Victorian designs with modern technology. Hence, even if the characters and the story are brilliant, it doesn’t feel right without the appropriate art.

Clockwork Apple is a visual novel/interactive story in which the main idea is that every bit of technology is mechanical, as it usually is the case in steampunk fantasies. However, the game doesn’t look at all like it features steampunk technology, which is a bit of a bummer. On top of that, it also mixes fantasy elements like magic, so it certainly sounds interesting to say the least.

To begin with, the story revolves around three main characters, namely Adriel, Ethan and Mina. Adriel is a person with powerful special abilities, and his job is to teach Mina, his student, how to develop her own powers and learn how to control them. The real story starts when Mina’s parents are kidnaped and the three companions must go after them and bring the ones responsible to justice.

Another thing that’s very important in a visual novel is the writing itself, because that’s what comprises 90% of the whole game. While the writing in Clockwork Apple is not necessarily terrible, the writers fail to make you feel anything for the characters or the game world in general. Not only that, but the dialog feels empty and soulless, especially between the main characters.

The artwork disappoints in the same manner, since it’s pretty obvious that the designers did not take the time to create a living, breathing world. Instead, the game is just a collection of random backgrounds that fail to create an atmosphere and make it difficult to imagine anything. The music is poorly chosen as well, although that’s the least important flaw of the game.

In the end, Clockwork Apple could have easily made a better impression on the players, but it fails to provide you with anything worthy in regards to story, graphics or general atmosphere. Thus, it needs a lot more work in order to convince anyone, even if this is a small indie production.