Platypus Reclayed review

When Platypus debuted in 2002, the shoot ‘em up gained attention for its handcrafted visuals. Developer Anthony Flack molded each element from a single clump of grey clay, before coloring the assets in Photoshop. Nearly a quarter century later, Platypus Reclayed isn’t content with just slapping another coat of paint on the models.

Instead, Fleck resculpted the player ships, as well as every enemy and backdrop, before photographing them all in 4K resolution. He also added additional layers of parallax and widescreen support, making Reclayed resemble more of a televised Claymation special than a student project. Fortunately, the delightful charm of the original game is intact, while enhanced fidelity and animation help to keep Reclayed from looks like an antiqued throw-back.

Cheesing Your Way to Victory

Unsurprisingly, Reclayed remains faithful to the game’s original formula. Here, you’ll pilot one of three ships through waves of enemy ships and bullet formations while grabbing power-ups to survive a succession of increasingly tough levels. Similar to Capcom’s 1943, shooting these star-shaped cycles through several augmentations, often including a “?!” option that provides access to alternative power-ups.

But this time out, Reclayed is more malleable than its predecessor. You’ll find difficulty options that range from being a pushover to being downright punishing. Power-up variety has also expanded. Now, you can use everything from auto-fire and wide-shots to comical weapons like cheese wedges. Sure, these inclusions aren’t a reinvention, but they do improve the original game without tampering with its playful vibe. If you’re a purist or just want to appreciate Reclayed’s changes.

The Cadence of Clay Carnage

One area where Reclayed shines is in its pacing. Levels and their sub-stages flow thanks to tight enemy formations and succession of attacks that don’t leave much downtime. When there is a split-second break between attacks, it’s usually highlighted with grabbing score-bonus fruit that showers down from defeated foes. Like many golden-era shooters, the enticement often puts you in jeopardy from arriving adversaries.

Meanwhile, Platypus Reclayed’s soundtrack is a driving melody of electronic style tracks. It still feels as eccentric as it did over two decades ago, but this time remaster audio provides crispness. And while you can turn off the announcer, the call outs are nearly as distinctive as the game’s Claymation look.

Reclayed Doesn’t Break the Mold and That’s OK

Platypus Reclayed strikes a skilled balance between honoring the game’s roots and modernizing the pliable property. Longtime fans will delight in seeing the game’s clay world resculpted with additional detail and a larger, widescreen playfield. Meanwhile, newcomers will find an engaging shooter that’s both approachable and challenging. Sure, Reclayed might not topple the genre’s heavyweights. But like its clay-build ships, it’s hard not to admire the craftsmanship and care that went into Reclayed.

Platypus Reclayed was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.