This isn’t a game you can easily speed through in your first try. The difficulties mean it can be a frustrating experience at times, but also very rewarding when you’re finally able to solve the puzzles.

I’ll admit not all the puzzles in Clocker made sense to me. There are a few where the logic baffles me -- maybe it’s because my puny brain couldn’t understand it. Those became some of the most disheartening moments for me in the game.

Another feature that frustrated me: The controls. With so many moving pieces in each scene, it was difficult to toggle between different characters and their stopwatches. At times, I found myself wishing this was a point-and-click game instead.

What Clocker does best though is holding its plot and gameplay tightly around a central theme: The concept of missed opportunities. It’s ultimately a tale of love between a father and daughter. Without spoiling the story, I’d say that I appreciate how well it delivers the message of carpe diem, especially with a catch at the end of the game.

If you don’t mind spending hours on end trying to solve laborious puzzles, Clocker is a compelling game that leaves you with a deep appreciation about the wonders of how time and space work. It’s an arduous experience though, so be prepared if you’re not a hardcore puzzle fan.