Review: Clash Force (PlayStation 4)

by Jim Smale · July 17, 2020

The Evil Crackman and his minions are causing mayhem, and only Clash Force is up to the task of stopping his fiendish plans! Guide Voom, Scorpido, or Echid through forest bases, hydrofied deserts, underground mines, and eventually to Crackman’s Flying Fortress where the final battle will unfold.

Pros:

Chunky pixel art graphics.
69.12mb download size.
Platinum trophy.
Practice area.
2D shooter gameplay.
3 save slots.
3 characters-Vroom, Scorpido, and Echid.
Over 20 stages.
Bonus stage after each level where you jump up and claim a weapon upgrade.
Simple run and gun.
Weapon upgrades drop from choppers.
3 hits then level restart.
One hit and you lose your gun.
Shield-protects you from one hit.
Learn the level layout.
Instant restart.
Boss fights.
Easy Platinum trophy list.

Cons:

Simple.
Difficulty spikes.
No replay level.
Little difference with each character.
Dubious hit detection.

7/10

Graphics - 7/10
7/10

Sound - 7/10
8/10

Accessibility - 8/10
7/10

Length - 7/10
8/10

Fun Factor - 8/10

7.4/10

Summary

Clash Force is a run and gun platformer that looks and feels like a retro game. You have 3 hearts and can get weapon upgrades from drops. One hit and the gun is gone, 3 hits, and its a level restart. To be honest that’s the difficult part, in a nutshell, the fear of a level restart is very much the thing that adds stress and difficulty to it all. I like it in one way as it teaches you to learn the flow and layout but on the other hand, it’s annoying when you get hit and lose it all. Levels are small in the grand scheme of things but then it also feels it’s just that little bit too big. Boss battles are quite simple but again you need to use restraint with placement. Overall it’s a game you play, you enjoy but then move on and never come back.