{{Short description|2017 video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Serial Cleaner | image = Serial Cleaner cover.jpg | alt = | caption = | developer = Draw Distance | publisher = {{unbulleted list |[[Curve Digital]] |[[Plug In Digital]] }} | designer = | programmer = | artist = | composer = | series = | engine = | platforms = {{plainlist| * [[Linux]] * [[macOS]] * [[PlayStation 4]] * [[Windows]] * [[Xbox One]] * [[Nintendo Switch]] * [[iOS]] * [[Android (operating system)|Android]] }} | released = '''Windows, PS4, Xbox One'''<br/>July 14, 2017<br/>'''Nintendo Switch'''<br/>November 30, 2017<br/>'''iOS'''<br/>June 20, 2019<br/>'''Android'''<br/> February 11, 2025 | genre = [[Stealth game]] | modes = [[Single-player]] }} '''''Serial Cleaner''''' is a [[stealth game]] developed by Draw Distance and published by [[Curve Digital]]/[[Plug In Digital]]. Players attempt to remove evidence from crime scenes without being caught. It was followed by ''[[Serial Cleaners]]''.
== Gameplay == Players control a [[fixer (person)|cleaner]] who is hired to remove evidence at crime scenes in the 1970s. Besides moving corpses, this takes a literal aspect as they vacuum up blood. Police are already at the scene, and if they see the cleaner, they chase. Player can hide in various spots on the map, which causes the police to lose interest in them. Being caught forces players to replay the level and randomizes the locations of the objects that need to be cleaned.<ref name=rps>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/serial-cleaner-review|title=Wot I Think: ''Serial Cleaner''|last=Meer|first=Alec|work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|date=2017-07-19|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref>
== Development == ''Serial Cleaner'' was initially released by Curve Digital for PCs, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on July 14, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-murder-scene-tampering-serial-cleaner-out-today|title=The murder-scene-tampering ''Serial Cleaner'' out today|last=Purchese|first=Robert|work=[[Eurogamer]]|date=2017-07-14|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> The Nintendo Switch version followed on November 30, 2017,<ref name=nlife>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/serial_cleaner|title=''Serial Cleaner'' Review (Switch eShop)|last=Cousins|first=Jon|work=[[NintendoLife]]|date=2017-11-30|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> and it was released on iOS on June 20, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://toucharcade.com/2019/04/26/serial-cleaner-mobile-release-date-confirmed-ifun4all-east2west/|title=Crime Scene Cleanup Game 'Serial Cleaner' Finally Has a Release Date for iOS from iFun4All and East2West|last=Madnani|first=Mikhail|work=[[TouchArcade]]|date=2019-04-26|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> On February 11th, 2025, the game was rereleased for iOS and Android by Plug In Digital.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Iwan |date=2024-11-28 |title=Serial Cleaner tasks you with cleaning up crime scenes while under the influence of a moustache |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/serial-cleaner-21768/coming-soon/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=www.pocketgamer.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Reception == On [[Metacritic]], ''Serial Cleaner'' received positive reviews on the Switch<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/serial-cleaner/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=''Serial Cleaner'' (NS)|work=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> and mixed reviews elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/serial-cleaner/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=''Serial Cleaner'' (PC)|work=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/serial-cleaner/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=''Serial Cleaner'' (PS4)|work=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/serial-cleaner/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one|title=''Serial Cleaner'' (XB1)|work=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> ''[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]'', ''[[NintendoLife]]'', and ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' liked the game's concept but found the idea of restarting randomized levels infuriating.<ref name=rps/><ref name=nlife/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/serial-cleaner-is-a-great-idea-wrapped-in-an-infuriating-game/|title=''Serial Cleaner'' Is a Great Idea Wrapped In An Infuriating Game|last=Diver|first=Mike|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|date=2017-07-17|access-date=2023-04-21}}</ref> Conversely, ''[[GamesRadar]]''{{'}}s reviewer found the scenes where he was caught funny, and he enjoyed the level design.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/serial-cleaners-luscious-puzzles-blend-hotline-miami-with-clean-70s-chic/|title=''Serial Cleaner''{{'}}s luscious puzzles blend ''Hotline Miami'' with clean '70s chic|last=Agnello|first=Anthony John|work=[[GamesRadar]]|date=2017-03-21|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> ''[[Push Square]]'' wrote, "Its difficulty and slight release content are offset by a number of options, a great premise, and some uniquely engaging gameplay."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/serial_cleaner|title=''Serial Cleaner'' Review (PS4)|last=Talbot|first=Ken|work=[[Push Square]]|date=2017-07-11|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref> ''NintendoWorldReport'' praised the gameplay and retro charm but felt that the Switch controls were sometimes inconsistent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/46037/serial-cleaner-switch-review|title=''Serial Cleaner'' (Switch) Review|last=Burkum|first=Perry|work=NintendoWorldReport|date=2017-12-16|accessdate=2023-04-21}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}{{Authority control}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://drawdistance.dev/serial-cleaner/}}
[[Category:2017 video games]] [[Category:Curve Games games]] [[Category:Draw Distance games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:Linux games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:Puzzle video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Stealth video games]] [[Category:Video games set in the 1970s]] [[Category:Video games set in the United States]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]]