The Watchmaker takes place inside a giant clock tower, full of gears and platforms, where time is an essential resource. Within the strong steampunk atmosphere of the clock tower, an unusual tale unwinds. The main character is Alexander, a keeper of the clock tower, who realizes one day that his precious clock has been sabotaged, making time run wild.
Gameplay in The Watchmaker illustrates the collapse of time through a unique mechanism, in which the health of the main character is indicated by his age. Alexander ages extremely quickly, as if suffering from a strange disease, his enemies’ attacks further accelerating this process. And so instead of collecting medkits, Alexander collects time to regenerate his youth. The entire ageing process is elaborately animated and reflected in the character’s face, posture and movements.