Mango Protocol are back with their latest game, CLeM

I first discovered Mango Protocol through their game “MechaNika” and instantly became a fan of their unique style of adventure games. So, when I got the opportunity to play their latest game, CLeM, I was thrilled to dive into this new world of adventures (review code provided by BigGamesMachine).

CLeM is a narrative-driven adventure puzzle game, a classic “point and click” game for those who remember the vintage days of gaming. This game marks a return to the developers’ roots following the release of “MechaNika” and “Agatha Knife.” In this new release, the two eponymous heroines join forces in “Colossus Down,” a side-scrolling beat ’em up. I can’t help but wonder if we’ll see CLeM added to that game via DLC in the future?

The game begins in a dark and dank basement as a mysterious voice tells you to wake up. Playing as a voodoo doll-shaped character with a zipper on the back of your head, you must set out on your adventure in response to the voice’s call.

Clem, the enigmatic voice, assigns you the task of finding her beauty. Although this may sound vague, there is a guide book on the floor that will serve as your journal, crucial for keeping track of clues. Beauty, in this case, refers to a bug, among other attributes that you will be sent to look for.

Early in the game, it becomes evident that Clem dabbles in magic—real, powerful magic, not the kind found in the world of Harry Potter. This Psychotic adventure is quirky and dark, with an art style that gives everything a soft, adorable edge but hides deeper layers of complexity, much like Mango Protocol’s previous titles.

The game’s experience and narrative are so intertwined that I hesitate to spoil too much in this review. But I’ll share that Clem’s love for magic is encouraged by her missing mother, although her father strongly disapproves. In fact, he has gone so far as to hide most of Clem’s magical items. As you progress, you will recover these items to aid in your bug hunt, each delightfully whimsical and accompanied by a journal entry explaining their significance.

As with any point and click adventure, puzzles are key to the experience. In CLeM, Mango Protocol has upped their game, presenting puzzles that are brilliant and logical within the context of a magic-wielding child, offering just the right amount of challenge. They are more taxing than those found in the developers’ previous titles but are still accessible enough that you shouldn’t feel the need to cheat.

Visually, the game’s presentation is consistent with the Psychotic Adventures universe. It’s charming, with a unique art style that personally left me eager to see more, perhaps in the form of a comic book series—how the characters first came to life—expanding on all their adventures.

The narrative in CLeM is a perfect blend of creepy and charmingly innocent, with emotional impact that may surprise you based on the game’s art style. Don’t let appearances deceive you; the tale is as upsetting as it is heartwarming. The themes present in CLeM are universal, resonating with a broad audience but particularly impactful for those with a bit more life experience.

For fans of point and click games, CLeM is a must-play, and for those new to the genre, it’s an ideal game to start with before diving into Mango Protocol’s other titles.