Clean Living is an indie RPG adventure game developed for PC by a single creator. Players step into the role of Carmen, a vampire focused on basic survival in a 1970s setting filled with campy horror and interpersonal tension. The story introduces Lana, a local serial killer whose path crosses with Carmen's in ways that blend mystery, choice, and consequence.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on exploration and deduction through a growing collection of jigsaw pieces. Players assemble these pieces to uncover clues, pinpoint locations, and piece together details about the world and its inhabitants. This system expands as the inventory grows, turning each new fragment into a potential revelation that advances the narrative.
A separate timing-based minigame handles the vampire element. Carmen must hunt for blood through precise actions that test reaction and rhythm. Success keeps the character going, while the overall experience weaves these mechanics into a larger mystery focused on the deuteragonist's life and secrets.
Hand-drawn artwork defines every scene, with additional mixed-media horror elements drawn from public domain sources. The result is a consistent 2D visual style that supports hours of engagement without relying on complex 3D systems or external assets.
Game Modes
Clean Living operates entirely as a single-player experience. There are no multiplayer components or separate modes listed. The structure revolves around a linear yet branching narrative path where puzzle-solving and minigame segments feed directly into story progression and decision points.
Progression remains tied to the central mystery. Players advance by resolving jigsaw-based clues and managing the vampire survival element, with no alternate formats or competitive layers confirmed.
Story and Choices
The narrative unfolds around Carmen's attempts to avoid starvation while navigating a morbid, sapphic relationship with Lana. The title draws from historical clean living movements and moral panics of the era, applied here with tongue-in-cheek intent to contrast conservative backlash against themes of liberation, murder, and personal freedom.
Multiple endings exist and alter the outcome substantially. Decisions influence the fates of the characters involved, particularly the two women at the center. The mystery builds gradually through clues tied to Lana's background, encouraging players to connect pieces both literally and figuratively.
Is It Worth Playing?
Clean Living targets players who enjoy narrative-driven puzzle adventures with horror undertones and meaningful choice. The hand-drawn presentation and jigsaw mechanics offer a distinctive loop for those drawn to atmospheric indie titles. The timing minigame adds a light action layer to the vampire survival aspect without overwhelming the focus on story and deduction.
Since the game remains unreleased with no player reviews available, any assessment rests on the confirmed features. Fans of single-player RPG adventures that emphasize inventory management, clue assembly, and branching endings may find the described systems appealing. Those seeking extensive multiplayer options or frequent seasonal updates will not find them here. The mature content notes cover stylized blood, non-graphic murder, morbid humor, and references to trauma, which align with the overall tone.
