

One final note on the graphics: they don't slow you down all that much in a normal game.

All graphics and effects are in sync with each other, and nothing seems out of whack in the world of Claw. Lighting effects and background effects, such as columns and vines that Captain Claw disappears behind from time to time, add a nice touch to the game. Monolith could expand this work to be a Saturday-morning cartoon. Beyond the story itself, the 20 minutes of cinematic quality cut-scenes are simply a joy to watch. If one takes the time to watch all of them as they progress through the game, one will find that Claw has a well-written and intricate plot. The graphics that stand out in my mind are the myriad of cut-scenes between each level. If you use TEN or Mplayer (or any other online service besides Engage), you are out of luck. If you don't use online services, there's no need to concern yourself with this minor detail. This is only a big deal if you use Engage. Įngage has exclusive rights to Claw as the online gaming service of choice. I only tested the DirectPlay capabilities of Claw, and found them to be direct and easy to use.

Expect to see more of DirectPlay in other Monolith games such as Riot and Blood 2 in the future. Multiplayer (64 players!) LAN and serial connections are supported in Claw, using DirectPlay, which works well with programs like Kali that can run an IPX session.

This is a bad sign for parents, husbands, wives, boyfriends, and girlfriends. As I played Claw, I had that feeling of days gone by, when I would think, "Just a few minutes more, and I'll beat this level!" Although with each little victory is yet another challenge which will keep you in the game for hours: you'll find yourself losing track of time. As you make your way through the various levels of Claw, you'll be whisked back to the days when you fell to your death in Super Mario Brothers and countless other games like it. He can climb using ladders, and look up and down, much like Jazz Jackrabbit. Captain Claw can crouch, jump, and pick up enemies and items and throw them. At Captain Claw's disposal are a number of useful weapons and power-ups to aid you on your quest to find all the gems, and make them one with the Amulet of Nine Lives. The player must guide Captain Claw through each level, taking heed of danger and gathering treasure, all the while avoiding or destroying the evil denizens after his head. GameplayĬlaw is a side-scrolling action game similar to Jazz Jackrabbit and Abuse. Watch the adventure unfold before your eyes, as you gather gems, map pieces, untold treasure, and put together the Amulet activating its powers, and fulfilling your destiny.
