Clockwork Cleanup is a free-to-play auto-battler with roguelike flair that puts you in charge of protecting a spell factory from relentless creatures. Every decision matters, because your options are intentionally limited and the challenge ramps up fast once bosses enter the mix.
The core of the game revolves around powering up MAC (Magical Automatic Custodian), your factory’s automated defender. You do this by placing and connecting tiles on a grid to generate energy. The bigger and smarter your tile network, the stronger MAC becomes—turning it into a more effective enemy-sweeping machine as each wave closes in.
There’s a catch, though: space is tight. Like the best strategy roguelikes, Clockwork Cleanup forces you to think several moves ahead because the grid has limited room. Slapping tiles down without a plan can box you in and cap your potential power. To help you fine-tune your build, certain tiles can also be merged to create stronger effects, giving you a satisfying sense of progression as you learn what combinations work best.
Between battles, you’ll earn rewards that let you shape your run in meaningful ways. You can expand the grid for more building room, restore health to stay alive longer, or even rotate tile directions to improve efficiency. Those choices matter because you’re working through a full set of 35 battles, each made up of five waves, featuring 22 different enemy types along with tougher boss encounters that demand careful planning.
If you’re looking for a lightweight but engaging free-to-play strategy game with auto-battler systems and roguelike decision-making, Clockwork Cleanup is available on Steam at no cost. It’s earned an extremely strong reception from players, with 99% positive reviews, and many fans specifically highlight the enjoyable gameplay and the lack of microtransactions. The most common downside mentioned is that it can feel short and could use more content, especially for players who want deeper long-term progression.
