Summary
The more popular the Soulslike genre is getting, the more difficult it is for new games to stand out. Thankfully,Another Crab’s Treasurehas no shortage of unique qualities that set it apart from its contemporaries, from its vibrantcartoon-y art styleto its surprisingly deep satirical themes to its tongue-in-cheek dialogue. And that’s just scratching the surface.
When it comes to gameplay,Another Crab’s Treasurehas a wealth of unique Soulslike hooks, but few are quite as important to the core experience as the game’s shell-swapping mechanic. Taking on the role of a hermit crab named Kril, players are able to swap out their shell on the fly, with each one possessing a unique ability and having a unique set of stats. It’s a simple yet effective mechanic, butAnother Crab’s Treasure’s shell-swapping feature does come at a high cost for one other area.
Another Crab’s Treasure’s Shells Are a Double-Edged Sword
Another Crab’s Treasure’s Shell-Swapping System Is Great
There are a total of 69 shells inAnother Crab’s Treasure, each one boasting a unique visual design, from everyday items of trash like soda cans and solo cups, to objects like shot glasses and party hats, to some pretty out-of-left-field options like anAmong Us-themed Impostor backpack. Each of these 69 shells has its own distinct set of statistics, including a weight class that determines how fast the player can move and dodge, and a defense number that determines how much health the shell has. Already, these two statistics add a nice layer of strategy toAnother Crab’s Treasure’s combat, requiring the player to choose a shell that best suits their playstyle.
But there’s another layer of strategy to find inAnother Crab’s Treasure’s shells. Many of the game’s 60+ shells have some kind of unique ability that the player can use in combat. These abilities range from special attacks that deal a lot of damage, to more unique effects like dropping a decoy to attract enemies or activating a burst of health regeneration. Players will have a lot of fun discovering which powers fit their desired build, and the ability to swap shells on the fly encourages players to really experiment with every new shell they come across.
Shell-Swapping Comes at a Cost of Weapon Variety
ButAnother Crab’s Treasure’s shells aren’t without their drawbacks. While shell-swapping is a fairly in-depth and engaging mechanic, it does seem as though it’s resulted in the game sacrificing weapon variety. For the entire 15-20 hour adventure under the sea,Another Crab’s Treasurewill only equip players with one weapon, a trusty fork that can be used to stab and slash at enemies. While this weapon can beupgraded at the New Carcinia blacksmith by using Stainless Relics, it only increases the attack power of the weapon, and gives it an upgraded visual design. There are no ways to permanently change the weapon’s moveset, or the type of weapon that it is.
Players can technically use a makeshift hammer after unlocking the Scrap Hammer Skill, though this is only temporary and is only a slight variation to the regular fork moveset.
This isn’t a huge issue in the grand scheme of things, withFromSoftware’sSekiroonly having one weapon, but it is a bit disappointing for those Soulslike fans who like to experiment with different weapon types, or use weapon types that aren’t just the standard hack-and-slash-focused sword. This lack of weapon variety could also end up harmingAnother Crab’s Treasure’s replayability, as even with all 69 shells in the game, there aren’t really many ways to drastically change the player’s build between playthroughs.
Another Crab’s Treasure
WHERE TO PLAY
As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll need to wear the trash around you as shells to withstand attacks from enemies many times your size. Embark on an epic treasure hunt to buy back your repossessed shell, and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean.TRASH OR TREASURE?In this undersea society, trash is not only a way of life, but a valuable resource, used for everything from fashion to firearms. But with the presence of trash comes a mysterious infection known as the Gunk, which could spell doom for the entire ocean.LEARN FROM NATUREAs Kril explores the ocean, he’ll gain a variety of Umami Techniques—powerful attacks learned from the denizens of the seas. Punch your enemies with the overwhelming might of a Mantis Shrimp, ensnare them with the horrifying Bobbit Worm, and much more.UNEXPLORED DEPTHSThe ocean goes deeper than one can imagine. Fight your way through kelp forests, coral reefs, sand castle cities, and even the unfathomable darkness of the deep-sea trenches, all in the name of getting back your prized shell.
