Controls and Mechanics

[jglowacki]

Hey guys! Since we’re still working on a proper tutorial, we’ve prepared these notes to help you get your head around how the game plays.

The controls are shown on the first level of the game, but let’s reiterate here:
Left Stick / Arrow Keys - Movement
X / S - Pick up/Drop Body
A / A - Use
Left Trigger / Space - Zoom Out
Right Trigger / Left Shift - Cleaning Blood

There is also an alternative control scheme for the keyboard: WASD, K, L, Space and Left Shift. You can choose between them in the Options menu.

In terms of mechanics, here are a few things that may not be quite clear from the gameplay alone:

Goals - to complete a level, you need to pick up all bodies and place them in body drops, pick up all pieces of evidence (you don’t need to carry them anywhere, just pick them up), and get to the car (or, in one level, the elevator) to escape. Later on there are more bodies, more evidence to clear and more body drop options, plus you need to clean a certain amount of blood to proceed.

Zoom Out - this option is very useful, as it allows you to have a look at the whole location, so you can see all the active objects, bodies and body drops, and observe enemy paths. You can’t move while using this ability though, so be careful!

Making noise - when you walk around, there’s a visual representation of the sound you’re making under your feet. Enemies will react to it, even through a wall, so be careful where you walk! Also, the noise you make will be bigger if you’re carrying a body, or if you’re cleaning blood.

Cleaning blood - you can clean blood by using the Right Trigger or Left Shift key. Note that if you don't clean blood, you will slide over it instead, which gives you extra speed. Cleaning blood also makes more noise than walking, so be careful when you use it!

Carrying Bodies - the only object you can use while carrying a body is the Shortcut. You won’t be able to hide, move objects or clean blood when carrying a body. You also move a bit slower, depending on the weight of the body - so it makes sense to drop the body when running away!

Enemy reactions - enemies will investigate if they see a body or piece of evidence missing, or if they see a body bag lying around. They won’t actually tamper with it, but they will get distracted for a while. Use this to your advantage!

Hiding - you can hide even if you’re being pursued, as the cops of the 1970s are a bit corrupt, maybe a bit lazy, and they don’t really care about running after you to the ends of the earth. When leaving cover, you can choose where to reappear by using the left thumbstick or arrow keys.

Moving objects - you can use these elements to change enemy paths or even lock them out! You won’t be able to use moving objects if an enemy is in their path. Some moving objects are activated by a button - seek them out using the zoom out ability.

Sound objects - these will create a sound after a short delay, that will draw enemies to the object for a limited amount of time. Experiment to learn to use them most efficiently!

Please share your thoughts on the possible optimization of controls!

Best,
Jacek

[TribalSage]

You should list it as controller support on the store page. I know it might seem like a small detail but I'm pretty sure you missed out on some sales because of it not being mentioned on the store page. I always go to the discussion pages now and look or post asking, but a few months back if I didn't see it I would just pass the game by.

[jglowacki]

Hi TribalSage,

Thanks a lot for this advice, of course we will add this, thanks again!

Best,
Jacek @iFun4All

[konradrawinski]

Morning,
Guys, please reduce input lag in main menu while using X360 controller. Atm is a second like lag when you use left stick untill action is reflected in game. It's bit uncomfy.
cheers,
btw. game's great, soundtrack is awesome, keep up a good work!

[jglowacki]

Hi Konrad :)

We're looking into this! Thanks for your feedback and kind words about our game! :)

Best,
Jacek @iFun4All

[TiltingMills]

Just grabbed the game and had a quick play before work, really digging it so far! Some initial thoughts:

1. what's the point of two different action bindings (pickup body+pickup item)...can you pick up an item while lugging a body? Would be simpler to just have the one action command if not
2. I noted the noise-making indicator, but not actually making audible footsteps while moving makes it harder to gauge how much noise I'm making
3. From a mechanics perspective, I was a little surprised that the fuzz could see me when I was behind trees - if you're working on a tutorial it would help to outline what is solid vs non solid cover
4. Unless I'm imagining it, do fat and skinny cops move at different speeds? If so, that's really cool, but also something you should explain :-) I also feel like the cleaner sometimes moves faster in some circumstances, possibly while walking through blood
5. non mechanical really, but if you do walk through blood it'd be novel if the cleaner left some footprints and made extra mess!

Looking forward to playing more later!

[jglowacki]

Hi TiltingMills! Thank you so much for your feedback - I passed it to the rest of the development team. We're acquiring data from players to prepare a patch in the 2 weeks or so, which will address some issues and your ideas to make Serial Cleaner better!

Now, when it comes to your feedback:

1. You can't pick up items when you're carrying a body. I think that you used really good wording here: "would be simpler" :) Exactly, it would, but we just didn't wan that to be simpler :) Instead it's just a small feature, which makes your life as a cleaner a liiiitle more difficult. Which is good, me thinks ;)

2. You're right, we will take a look at this

3. You're absolutely right. From the developers' point of view it was obvious, that the guard should not be able to see if you're standing behind the wall, but if you're behind a tree, he might in fact be able to see you. The game's perspective is tricky and we needed to find a compromise here. Still, I think you're right, when it comes to the tutorial.

4. Yes, you're right. By default, cops are always faster than Bob. BUT, you're significantly faster while sliding on blood. Also, you're slower, when you carry a body and different bodies have a little different weight. True that some cops are faster than other cops. Something to discover while finishing levels in the campaign :)

5. Yes, we've heard that couple of times already and that's something we're really looking into :)

Thanks again for your feedback, it's absolutely priceless!

Best,
Jacek @iFun4All

[DJ Dostoevsky]

Hi gang.

Really enjoying the game so far.

I understand SC is likely best played with a game pad controller but I like to use keyboard/mouse out of convenience.

So I'm curious if you've considered integrating mouse controls into the k/m presets.

Using left hand for WASD movement, etc. is fine, but using my right on the keyboard for item/body pickups feels unnatural.

Any chance we can have the option to pickup with the L/R mouse buttons?

Thanks for your consideration.

[jglowacki]

Hello DJ Dostoevsky!
Thank you for reaching out, your feedback and kind words about Serial Cleaner :)
When it comes to your comment - we have not yet considered implementing mouse support, but if we notice that a lot of players would like us to deliver such patch, we'll definitely consider that :)
Thanks again!
Best,
Jacek @ iFun4All

[MonkeNeuron]

Maybe I missed it but is it possible to custum key bindings?

[Deadushka]

Originally posted by maarissrsc:

There is no custom key bindings, unfortunately.

Developers, can you please add this control scheme?

W A S D = Move
E = Use
F = Pick Up / Drop Body
Shift = Clean
X = Cleaner Sense

AGREE. seems like original game controls made by console player who newer played on keyboard

[darkside101]

Controls dont work. I cant play the game

[Suehtam]

damn why I can't switch the shift key for other? What is the difficulty in letting us customize the commands ???

[senzapatria]

How can I use steam controller with the game? I'm unable to make it work. Please help!

[Carl]

Originally posted by Deadushka:

Originally posted by maarissrsc:

There is no custom key bindings, unfortunately.

Developers, can you please add this control scheme?

W A S D = Move
E = Use
F = Pick Up / Drop Body
Shift = Clean
X = Cleaner Sense

AGREE. seems like original game controls made by console player who newer played on keyboard

I don't even have arrow keys on my keyboard. So i can't play this. Wish the Devs would finally add key rebinds.