Attic of the Underdogs

Operation Cleaner

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Review by Underdogs:
Operation Cleaner is a unique and compelling business simulation game that puts you in control of a demolition firm. Your job: make money by successfully demolishing the target building without destroying anything else in the vicinity. The game lets you control every facet of the business, including buying explosives and other equipment, hiring workers and bulldozers, and actual placement of explosives on the job. There are 134 buildings to be demolished in the game, spanning across 9 cities. Every new job offer shows you the picture of the target building, and there is always more than a few offers you can choose from.

Needless to say, the game gets more challenging the more you play (and the more money you make). From simple one-story outdoor toilets in the middle of nowhere, you will soon need to demolish highrises in a crowded city. Big buildings require more careful planning, because you must minimize both explosives (i.e. cost to you) as well as damage to surrounding area (because you'll have to pay the insurance amount for any neighboring structure you inadvertently destroy). You can build up barricades around the target building to prevent other buildings from being damaged, but it could cost a lot of money. The game therefore requires a fine balance between practical strategic planning and a shrewd business sense. There is a wide range of explosives in the game, from basic dynamites, anite, and TNT to the powerful C-4. Once you finish demolishing all the 134 buildings included in the game, you can design your own buildings and cities using the included editor.

Operation Cleaner is an immensely enjoyable game that should appeal both to engineers and fans of unique strategy games. It's original, it's fun, and it will challenge you for hours on end. It's even educational - I learn a lot of interesting factoids about different building materials and physics from playing this game. Graphics are pretty ugly, but it's the gameplay that counts especially for strategy games - and here you won't be disappointed. Two thumbs up, way up!

Average Rating:7.42 [85 votes]
Genre:Strategy
Designer:Jan Nyman
Developer:Freeware
Publisher:Freeware
Year:2001
Software Copyright:Jan Nyman
Theme:Unique, Business, Design Tool
Multiplayer:
Related Links:Official site
More Info:Mobygames | The Web
System Requirements:DOS
If you like this game, try:Pyro 2, Pontifex, International Bridge Contractors
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Technical Notes: