Claw

Claw
Title Screen
Developer	Monolith Productions
Publisher	Monolith Productions
Release date	1997
Platforms	Windows

First Release: 1997, Windows

Story

"Loved by many... feared by all. Captain Claw, surveyor of the 7 seas, is perhaps the greatest pirate ever to grace the Animalian Lore Realms. His courage? Legendary. His followers? Loyal to the death. His claws? Well, let’s just say that more than a few sailors have permanent reminders of their razor-sharp tips.

The Proclamation
Several years ago a proclamation, signed by the King, was issued to the realm. This proclamation read:

For numerous crimes against the Realm, and for the repeated destruction and theft of the property of the Cocker Spaniard Kingdom, and for a complete and utter disregard for the authority of the Crown, a bounty in the amount of 1,000,000 gold pieces is hereby issued for the capture, dead or alive, of Captain Nathaniel J. Claw, dreaded pirate, enemy of the Realm, and known scallywag.

Because of this proclamation, every bounty hunter and magistrate in the Realm has sought to capture the elusive Captain Claw. Many have tried to capture this infamous pirate, but none have succeeded—until now.
Claw's ship is overtaken on the high-seas by Captain Le Rauxe, a high-ranking officer in the King’s service and a pompous and unscrupulous dog. Subsequently, Claw’s ship is scuttled, and Claw and his crew are captured and taken to La Roca, a prison run by the Cocker Spaniards.
While imprisoned Claw discovers a letter written by Edward Tobin, a former prisoner executed for crimes against the Crown. Tobin’s letter tells of the existence of the Amulet of Nine Lives—a mystical amulet that, according to myth, provides the wearer with near immortality.
With his strength and hope renewed by the promise of adventure, Claw breaks out of his prison cell and begins a quest to reclaim his crew and locate the remaining gems for the Amulet of Nine Lives.
With a million "golden" reasons to separate Claw from his head, every servant of the Realm will be out to stop Claw from completing his quest. If he fights skillfully, Claw may avoid death and uncover the remaining gems for the Amulet of Nine Lives. With enough luck, ultimately Claw may complete his quest and reassemble the powerful Amulet of Nine Lives."
---Official Game Website in year 1996
---Game Manual in Polish Translation

Gameplay

Player

Character

Captain Claw is the main character in the story. He’s a heroic cat pirate.

name	image	attack	defense
Nathaniel Joseph Claw a.k.a. Captain Claw		MAIN: - sword swipe - jab punch - uppercut punch - kick (all randomly interchangeable) SPECIAL: - pistol shot - dynamite throw - magic claw spell	100 HP (health meter) - refills with Provisions and Health Potions (see: 'Items') - no permanent upgrades - temporary Power Ups: Invisibility, Invulnerability

FAMOUS QUOTES:
- 'Haha, take that!'
- 'Eat lead!'
- 'Scallywag!'
- 'Landlubber!'
- 'Chew on this!'
- 'Chew on that!'
- 'Touche!'
- 'Weakling!'
- 'Yum, looks yummy'
- 'Oo, is that gold I smell?'
- 'Meh, this'll be tough'
- 'This looks challenging'
- 'Whew, that was close'

Moves

Basic Moves

• Attack (single fire)
• Run (no walk)
• Jump (no double jumping)
• Crouch
• No Fall Damage

Special Moves

move	image	description	how to perform
Pick Up + Throw		- pick up Barrels or Enemies - walk carrying them as long as needed - throw on short or long distance - enemies take damage but lower than from close combat - enemies thrown on each other both take damage	- on close contact press: 'Z' to pick up (or holding 'Arrow Up' press 'Ctrl') - wanking left or right as normal walk - press 'Z' or 'Ctrl' to throw on short distance - hold 'Z' or 'Ctrl' then release to throw on longer distance
Rope Grab		- swing on ropes to reach far distances	- jump on the end of the rope to grab - swinging is idle - to let go the rope jump when needed
Special Weapon		- change between 3 special weapons on loop: Pistol --> Magic Claw --> Dynamite - ammo is limited	- CHANGE: press 'Shift' - USE: press 'Alt'

Forbidden Moves

• Crawling
• Swimming
• Edge hanging

Weapons

name	image	damage	description
Cutlass
Pistol
Dynamite
Magic Claw

Game Environment

Levels

no.	name	map start	objective
1	La Roca
2	Battlements
3	Footpath
4	Dark Woods
5	Township
6	Puerto Lobos
7	Docks
8	Shipyards
9	Pirate Cove
10	Cliffs
11	Caverns
12	Undersea Caves
13	Tiger Island
14	Temple

No regular level codes are obtained through gameplay. Cheat codes available, see: 'Cheats'

Items

name		icon	type	characteristics
Coin			score consumable	+ 100 score points
Gold Bars			score consumable	+ 500 score points
Ring	Red		score consumable	+ 1500 score points
	Green		score consumable
	Blue		score consumable
	Purple		score consumable
Chalice	Red		score consumable	+ 2500 score points
	Green		score consumable
	Blue		score consumable
	Purple		score consumable
Cross	Red		score consumable	+ 5000 score points
	Green		score consumable
	Blue		score consumable
	Purple		score consumable
Scepter	Red		score consumable	+ 7500 score points
	Green		score consumable
	Blue		score consumable
	Purple		score consumable
Gecko	Red		score consumable	+ 10 000 score points
	Green		score consumable
	Blue		score consumable
	Purple		score consumable
Crown	Red		score consumable	+ 15 000 score points
	Green		score consumable
	Blue		score consumable
	Purple		score consumable
Skull	Red		score consumable	+ 25 000 score points
	Green		score consumable
	Blue		score consumable
	Purple		score consumable
Provisions	lv. 1-2		consumable	+ 5 health points
	lv. 3-4		consumable
	lv. 5		consumable
	lv. 6		consumable
	lv. 7-8		consumable
	lv. 9-10		consumable
	lv. 11-12		consumable
	lv. 13		consumable
	lv. 14		consumable
Medicine Potion	Small		consumable	+ 10 health points
	Medium		consumable	+ 15 health points
	Large		consumable	+ 25 health points
Catnip	White		power up consumable	- higher jump, faster run and harder hit for a certain period of time - duration varies; most common - 15s - does not affect projectile weapons and health - time cumulates for multiple pick up (any catnip)
	Red		power up consumable	- higher jump, faster run and harder hit for a certain period of time - duration varies; most common - 30s - does not affect projectile weapons and health - time cumulates for multiple pick up (any catnip)
Invisibility			power up consumable	- grants invisibility (ghost mode) for a certain period of time - duration varies
Invulnerability			power up consumable	- grants invulnerability (god mode) for a certain period of time - duration varies
Fire Sword			power up consumable	- grants fire sword for a certain period of time - sword gains fire projectile power that hits all enemies on the way - duration varies
Frost Sword			power up consumable	- grants frost sword for a certain period of time - sword gains frost projectile power that hits all enemies on the way - duration varies
Lightning Sword			power up consumable	- grants lightning sword for a certain period of time - sword gains electric projectile power that hits all enemies on the way - duration varies
Extra Life			consumable	+ 1 life (ALSO GAINED FOR: -- every 1000000 points -- perfect scored level)
Pistol Shots			ammo consumable	+ 5 ammo
Pistol Shots Bag			ammo consumable	+ 10 ammo
Dynamite			ammo consumable	+ 5 dynamite
Magic Glow Ball			ammo consumable	+ 5 Magic Claw spell casts
Magic Starglow Ball			ammo consumable	+ 10 Magic Claw spell casts
Treasure Map Piece			quest item	- 6 pieces in total; found at the end of level 1,3,5,7,9 and 11
Amulet of Nine Lives Gem	first		quest item	- awarded after: level 2 boss defeat
	second			- awarded after: level 4 boss defeat
	third			- awarded after: level 6 boss defeat
	fourth			- awarded after: level 8 boss defeat
	fifth			- awarded after: level 10 boss defeat
	sixth			- awarded after: level 12 boss defeat
	seventh			- awarded after: level 13 boss defeat
	eighth			- awarded after: level 13 boss defeat
	ninth			- awarded after: level 14 boss defeat

Interactable Objects

name	icon	type	characteristics
Crate		smashable	- DURABILITY: --- one hit from any weapon --- barrel explosion - LOOT: --- treasures --- possible provisions or health potion --- rare: power up (only at few specific places) - can not be picked up and thrown
	lv.9,13
Crystal	lv. 11
Statue	lv.5
	lv.14
Powder Keg		destructible	- blows up at single pistol shot - explosion gives damage to enemies or hero if close enough (20 DMG) - can be picked up and thrown (see: 'Special Moves')
	lv.3
Flag		checkpoint	- enables level checkpoint when activated (does not save game state on exit, just during current gameplay as a respawn point) - several per every level
		savepoint	- enables level savepoint when activated (saves game state on exit) - 2 per every level
Warp		portal	- teleports to hidden level areas, usually full of treasures an sometimes with some level of difficulty - placed in areas that are hard to reach or can't be reached without Catnip high jump
Boss Warp		portal	- teleports directly to boss fight chamber - located at some level exits

Enemies

All enemies LOOT:
- often: treasures
- possible: provision, health potion
- rare (only specific places): power up
- no score

name		image	attack	durability (main attack hits)	level encounter
Rat	Bomb-Throwing		- bomb throw: 10 DMG	1	lv.1,8
	Punk (Cannon)		- operates a cannon (lights up a fuse with a punk) - cannon blast: 20 DMG	1	lv.2,8
	Bomb-Throwing		- bomb throw: 10 DMG	1	lv.3,4,6
Cocker Spaniard Soldier			- rifle shot: 10 DMG - gun butt: 10 DMG	1	lv.1
			- rifle shot: 10 DMG - gun butt: 10 DMG - low rifle shot: 10 DMG	2	lv.2
Officer			- sword lunge: 10 DMG - low sword lunge: 10 DMG	1	lv.1
			- sword lunge: 10 DMG - low sword lunge: 10 DMG	2	lv.2
Robber Thief			- crossbow shot: 10 DMG - low crossbow shot: 10 DMG		lv.3
			- crossbow shot: 10 DMG - low crossbow shot: 10 DMG		lv.4
Cutthroat			- knife throws: 10 DMG - low knife throws: 10 DMG - double-knife stab: 10 DMG		lv.3
			- knife throws: 10 DMG - low knife throws: 10 DMG - double-knife stab: 10 DMG		lv.4
Seagull			- dive attack: 10 DMG	1	lv.5,6,7,9
First Town Guard			- sword attack: 10 DMG - low sword attack: 10 DMG - able to jump back		lv.5,6
Second Town Guard			- sword attack: 10 DMG - low sword attack: 10 DMG - able to jump back
Hermit Crab			- claw pinch attack:	1	lv.7
Bomber Hermit Crab			- bomb throw:	1
Bear Sailor			- paw swat: - bear hug:		lv.7
			- paw swat: - bear hug:		lv.8,13
Red Tail Pirate			- sword attack:		lv.7
			- sword attack:		lv.8,13
Peg-Leg Pirate			- double pistol attack: - able to roll back		lv.9
			- double pistol attack: - able to roll back		lv.10
Crazy Hook Pirate			- sword attack: - hook attack:		lv.9
			- sword attack: - hook attack:		lv.10
Fish			- jump attack:		lv.11,12
MerCat with Trident			- trident stab attack: - trident magic attack: 20 DMG		lv.11
			- trident stab attack: - trident magic attack: 20 DMG		lv.12
Cat Mermaid (Siren)			- siren call: 0 DMG, paralyzation		lv.11
			- siren call: 0 DMG, penalization		lv.12
Chameleon			- tongue attack: 10 DMG - can become invisible		lv.13,14
Tiger Guard			- dagger stab: 15 DMG - dagger roll attack: 15 DMG - dagger and claw jump attack: 20 DMG - able to jump back - able to roll jump back		lv.14
White Tiger Guard			- dagger stab: 15 DMG - dagger roll attack: 15 DMG - dagger and claw jump attack: 20 DMG - able to jump back - able to roll jump back

Bosses

name	image	attack	durability	loot/score	level encounter
Le Rauxe				First Amulet Gem	lv.2
Katherine				Second Amulet Gem	lv.4
Magistrate Wolvington					lv.6
Mr. Gabriel					lv.8
Captain Joseph Marrow					lv.10
King Aquatis					lv.12
Lord Omar					lv.14

Dangers

• CREATURES

name	image	mechanics	level encounter

• OBSTACLES

name	image	mechanics	level encounter

Characters

name	image	description	interaction
Mr. Tabby		Captain Claw’s 1st mate — his assistant on the ship. Smart, trustworthy and strong.
Edward Tobin		Tobin’s voice read’s the letter that Claw finds in during the Intro. Tobin died in the prison, and when he wrote the letter he was no doubt tired, hungry and weary.
Captain Spot LeRauxe		One of Claw’s main enemies. Commander of the "La Roca" prison. An expert swordsman. Dog. Spanish. He boarded Claw's ship and captured him.	- game intro - as level 2 boss
Katherine		Leader of the Thieves. Katherine was once a member of Claw's crew. Claw banished her from his ship because of her recklessness.	- as level 4 boss
Magistrate Wolvington		Captain of the Guard and leader of the El Puerto del Lobo town. An excellent swordsman.	- as level 6 boss
Mr. Gabriel		Red Tail’s First Officer	- as level 8 boss
Captain Joseph Marrow		Leader of Pirate’s Cove; Marrow and Claw have known each other for some time, and are considered rivals. Marrow has a green parrot.	- as level 10 boss
King Aquatis		Guardian of the Undersea Caves exit.	- as level 12 boss
Lord Omar		Captain of the Royal Tiger Guard. The Grand Tiger Guardian of Princess Adora's Temple. After obtaining the Amulet by Claw Omar will accompany him as a guardian to both himself and the Amulet (following Princess Adora's will).	- as level 14 boss - game outro
Red Tail		Lion. He is Claw’s arch-nemesis, an evil and powerful pirate.
Princess Adora		The Great Cat Princess.

UI

Menu

main menu options	submenu options
Single Player	New Game	- 1-14 'Level Name'
	Load Game	- 1-14 'Level Name' --- Start --- Save Point 1 --- Save Point 2
	Load Custom Level
	Save Game	'Your game is automatically saved at checkpoints One ant Two as well as the End of each level'; see: 'Save Options'
	Upload Scores
Multiplayer
Replay Movies
Options	Edit Players
	Controls
	Display	- Detail: High/Low - Front Layer: off/on - Game Play Area: -/+ - Movies: Stretched/Interlaced
	Audio	- Sound: On/Off Vol: -/+ - Voice: On/Off - Ambient: On/Off -Music: On/Off Vol:-/+
Credits
Help
Quit		'Are you sure you want to quit'? - Yes/No

Game Modes

• No difficulty levels
• Singleplayer and Multiplayer

Save Options

• No manual saving.
• Every level has 'hard' autosave at: two Savepoints (Gold Flag) and the End of level. Can be loaded after game quit.
• Numerous Checkpoints (Silver Flag) at every level. Save works only for current gameplay (respawn).
• Menu Save option only displays info message, see: 'Menu'

HUD

name		image	description
HUD			- general layout and HUD overview - always visible
Health Bar			- health points counter - max. 100 HP - refills: Provisions, Health Potions (see: 'Items') - no upgrades
Special Weapon Slot	Pistol Ammo Bar		- pistol ammunition counter - max 99 - refills: Pistol Shots and Pistol Shots Bag items (see: 'Items') - no upgrades
	Dynamite Bar		- dynamite sticks counter - max 99 - refills: Dynamite item (see: 'Items') - no upgrades
	Magic Claw Bar		- magic spell cast counter - max 99 - refills: Magic Glow Ball and Magic Starglow Ball items (see: 'Items') - no upgrades
Life Bar			- shows number of Lifes - max 9 - 1 Life is gained by: -- Extra Life item (see: 'Items') -- every 1000000 score points -- perfect scored level
Treasure Bar			- score counter - shows total score for the entire game
Timer			- timer for all Power Ups - counts down time given only for current picked up item - cumulates only for Power Ups up of the same type - visible only when any Power Up is taken

Controls

peripheral	button/key	action
Keyboard	Arrow Left	move left
	Arrow Right	move right
	Arrow Up	climb up
	Arrow Down	- climb down - crouch (duck); (see: 'Basic Moves')
	Space	- jump - grab/let go rope (see: 'Special Moves')
	Ctrl	hand attack (sword or punch) or kick
	Alt	special weapon (projectile) attack
	Shift	special weapon (projectile) switch
	Z	- pick up - throw (after pick up) - see: 'Special Moves'
	+	increase play area
	-	decrease play area
	F1	help
	ESC	- toggles in game menu - back to previous menu

Scoring

Score points are gained only by collecting treasure items: Gold x 100, Gold Bars x 500, Rings x 1500, Chalices x 2500, Crosses x 5000, Scepters x 7500, Geckos x 10000, Crowns 15000 and Skulls 25000; see also: 'Items'.
Treasure collection is summarized at the end of every level.

lv. no.	number of treasures									max score
	COIN	GOLD BARS	RING	CHALICE	CROSS	SCEPTER	GECKO	CROWN	SKULL
1	420	6	35	24	37	35	50	17	3	1435000
2	513	25	42	19	28	61	36	15	4	1456800
3	494	20	37	8	23	40	23	14	3	1064900
4	418	3	45	22	43	58	66	15	5	1825800
5	541	76	70	42	80	18	22	5	5	1257100
6	477	14	44	23	38	52	63	16	5	1753200
7	623	69	56	30	43	80	29	21	4	1775800
8	848	32	35	38	36	40	48	15	5	1558300
9	1183	115	49	41	40	62	36	15	3	1676800
10	755	40	28	29	45	56	58	28	9	2080000
11	699	40	40	24	23	37	26	9	5	1122400
12	639	48	30	25	38	42	27	7	4	1175400
13	857	10	19	38	32	31	72	43	7	2146700
14	448	32	9	9	9	9	9	9	10	679300

Releases & Credits

platform	first release
	box cover		date	developer	publisher	authors

OTHER RELEASES:

platorm	box cover		date	publisher	country

Manual

language	file
English [EN]
Polish [PL]

Game Series

• Kapitan Pazur 2 (Captain Claw 2)
• Nikita: Tajemnica Skarbu Piratów

Development Phase

• 8 pieces of treasure map (instead of 6) was intended; level 9 and 11 was meant to give two treasure map pieces
• unused enemies:
  • lv.1 - BattleAxe Guard; attack: single axe swing; visible at the end of the first cutscene
  • lv.13 - Cocount-Throwing Monkeys