The Clockwork Man

About the Game

The Clockwork Man is an adventure and hidden-object game developed by Total Eclipse Games, a Greek studio based in Thessaloniki. The original version of the game was released in 2009, while it was later released on additional platforms, including Steam in 2011.

The game takes place in an alternate version of the Victorian era, where steam-powered technology has developed far beyond its real historical counterpart and has become an essential part of everyday life. The Clockwork Man combines Victorian aesthetics with machines, gears, robots, and advanced steam-powered technology, creating a distinctive steampunk setting.

The protagonist is Miranda Calomy, a young woman from a long line of engineers and inventors. Miranda has a natural talent for creative problem-solving and mechanical inventions. Her adventure begins when she receives a strange letter from her grandfather at her London flat. The letter causes her to abandon her original plans and embark on a journey that will take her across different parts of the world.

Miranda's objective is to collect the necessary components for a remarkable invention. To accomplish this, she must explore different locations, find hidden objects, and solve a variety of puzzles. She is accompanied by Sprocket, a small robot who acts as her companion and also provides assistance during the adventure.

The core gameplay is based on the hidden-object adventure format. Players examine detailed painted scenes and search for specific objects hidden within them. The environments contain hundreds of Victorian-inspired objects, machines, and steampunk constructions, often arranged in ways that require careful observation.

In addition to hidden-object challenges, the game includes logic and adventure puzzles. Players must use objects they discover, combine clues, and understand how various mechanisms work in order to progress. As a result, the gameplay goes beyond simply finding hidden objects and combines observation with traditional puzzle-solving.

One of the game's distinctive features is Sprocket, who serves as a hint system. When players have difficulty finding an object or figuring out how to progress, the robot can provide assistance. The game also includes a Freeplay mode, allowing players to revisit completed levels, with object positions changing during subsequent playthroughs.

The visual presentation is an important part of the experience. The scenes are hand-painted, with a strong emphasis on Victorian and steampunk aesthetics. Environments can be explored using scrolling and zooming, allowing players to examine scenes in detail and search for objects that may not be immediately visible.

The story and visual design of The Clockwork Man combine the familiar imagery of the Victorian era with an imaginative technological evolution. Rather than presenting a world where technology is still in its early stages, the game depicts a reality in which steam power has become the dominant technology. Machines, automatons, and robots are integrated into everyday life within this alternate universe.

The game is also a notable example of Greek involvement in the casual and downloadable games market of the late 2000s. Total Eclipse Games, based in Thessaloniki, created The Clockwork Man as an internationally oriented production aimed at audiences outside Greece.