| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Release Date | 1/5/23 |
| Cost | $14.99 |
| Publisher | Ocean Media |
| ESRB Rating | E |
There is an old saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This applies to Clutter 12: It’s About Time – Collector’s Edition. If you’ve never heard of Clutter, and I didn’t before running this site, it’s a series of casual matching puzzle games. I’ve reviewed this series before with Clutter Evolution, and I gave it a Recommended at the time. If you’re interested, go read that review to get an idea of what the game is, as I’m not going to copy and paste the same description here.
Two versions later, the series has not changed all that much in Clutter 12. Sure, there are a few new variations, but it’s still the same clutter, with a main quest of a hundred-something puzzles, and then a truckload of bonus puzzles of various types, including sliders and square jigsaws. This is a collector’s edition with 25% more puzzles for a total of 2100. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m playing early in the morning, my glasses are smudged, or my visual acuity is just plain, but I’m far worse at this than I was for Evolution. The developer claims this is the most difficult Clutter yet. I can believe that.
In the end, I’m going to give this game a Recommended. Some video games series try to innovate with each installment but eventually lose their identity. Clutter 12 is still Clutter at its heart, and its fans are fine with that. Can’t fault the developer for giving people more of what they want. So if you like this series, you cannot go wrong with this installment.
Overall: Clutter 12 is part of Clutter, a series of casual matching puzzle games. It delivers what fans expect, and I can’t find fault with that.
Verdict: Recommended
Game received for free from the publisher.
