Crime Scene Cleaner
Finished Crime Scene Cleaner by President Studio, and spent the time to 100% the achievements too. Forced into cleaning up crime scenes for the mob, your character has no choice but to get scrubbing to keep himself and his daughter alive.
While the conceit may be quite macabre, the gameplay itself feels very meditative. This is one of those games I played for the mechanics, not story. The storyline isn’t particularly innovative or interesting, and the quality of dialogue writing varied from fine to a little cringe, as did some voice acting. While I’m sure other people feel differently, the main character’s unnecessary spouting of bad quips served more as an irritating interruption to my flow state rather than an enhancement. I just turned down the volume and listened to podcasts while scrubbing horrible murder scenes until they sparkled. The levels are clever, intricate, well-designed, and varied. The gradual access to better tools and abilities helps as the level difficulty ratchets ever upwards. Do not make the mistake I did and be a goodie two-shoes, instead, steal ALL THE THINGS!
I know it's a 2024 game, so the devs have had time to create content, but there is a surprising amount of game to play. The devs didn't stick to just a serving up a main campaign, but also an Act 2, and another 2 extra "Communiti" levels. In addition, there is True Cleaner mode, which are the main campaign levels but with restrictions on Kovalsky's access to certain tools and abilities. And finally, there's Nightmare mode, a warped redux of the main campaign as experienced in Kovalsky's dreams.
I really enjoyed Crime Scene Cleaner, and I'm looking forward to the forthcoming Biohazard DLC with gleeful anticipation.