The Game Developers Conference 2009 was my first GDC experience. I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to be doing in terms of reviewing games while at this industry conference. After wandering around the Expo floor, I finally stopped at a booth tucked in the back. And it was at this booth I did my first Q&A and got to see my first game: Clones.

Clones is a cute and silly puzzle game reminiscent of Lemmings. This colorful and fun game has both single-player and multiplayer capabilities. I didn’t play the single-player game, but I did get to see what it looks like. The single-player game is more of a puzzle game with 10 set levels of differing themes — such as snow, beach, mechanical, etc. — and a variety of Clones of different colors and size. Using a touchscreen PC (if you don’t have one of these, you can easily use your mouse, too), you select individual Clones and then apply the appropriate tasks — such as floating, drilling, building, etc. — to set in motion the events that will accomplish the level’s goal. You can touch the screen (or move the mouse) to reposition the focus or zoom in and out to see different angles of the action. As you progress in the single-player game, the puzzles and task become harder, but you also gain new capabilities for the Clones.

The multiplayer game pits you against another player, both frantically trying to collect each other’s Clones by tasking them to make their way to a collection spot or by sabotaging your opponent’s design and causing their Clones to fall to their doom. I realize death is no laughing matter, but the expressions on the Clones when they die are incredibly amusing. It’s hard not to laugh at them. The multiplayer version of Clones allows up to 16 people playing either online or locally.

I thoroughly enjoyed the art direction of Clones. There’s a lot of color and details, and it definitely suits the game. The Clones are cute and say hilarious phrases … even when they’re not dying. The themed levels do well representing the environments. Clones may not win any art awards, but the developers did an excellent job of creating crisp graphics that are pleasing to the eye. And in the background of the puzzles and levels of the single-player mode, you’ll find plenty of stray Clones goofing around. It’s a nice subtlety gamers can appreciate and adds to the frivolity of the game.

The sound in Clones also is rather pleasing. The music fits the environments and isn’t at all distracting. There is no voice-acting in this game, but you can read thought bubbles of the Clones who have something to say and will hear their little voices chattering or making noises that match their moods. You also can hear the sounds of the tasks you assigned the Clones to do — such as drilling.

Gameplay takes a bit of getting use to, especially if you are using a touchscreen. The game is somewhat intuitive, but I think it could be cleaned up a bit. I often had a hard time trying to figure out how to get my clones where they needed to be and how to select the proper tools, etc. The touchscreen PC was definitely fun to play with, though. I’m not sure about the ease of using a mouse, but it seems like it may be a little easier for those used to using a mouse. And the developers also want to get Clones available for the Wii, which might help gamers ease into the game.

If you like Lemmings or any type of puzzle game, I suggest you try this game when it’s available. It’s cute and fun and an entertaining method of increasing your problem-solving skills and maintaining a sharp mind through the use of puzzles. And if you ever wanted a bunch of cute minions to do your bidding, this game might be for you.

I enjoyed playing Clones and talking to the developers. I wasn’t very good, but it definitely was interesting and fun to play. I’m glad it was my first stop at GDC.