It’s hard to get away from the term Soulslike in gaming; titles inspired by FromSoftware’s Soulsborne games have appeared with remarkable regularity in the last few years. Some may feel like the term is applied too liberally and given to games that simply have a similar aesthetic to the dark and often fantastical settings of many of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s creations. Sometimes titles that just have particularly punishing combat are called Soulslikes, even if they don’t have any other similarities toFromSoftware’s popular releases. But some games manage to emulate the formula of a Soulslike to perfection and even provide their very own twist, like Aggro Crab’s upcomingAnother Crab’s Treasure.
The indie developer revealed its upcomingAnother Crab’s Treasureat the Nintendo Indie World livestreamearlier this month, giving gamers a look at the gameplay and the rather surprising but undoubtedly adorable “crab-themed Soulslike.” There seems to be an endless parade of Soulslikes available on the market, and while some have interpreted the basic mechanics and themes of the genre in interesting and unique ways,Another Crab’s Treasureseems to be the first to offer an earnest and competent Soulslike with an undeniable air of silliness.
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The Souls Formula
There is still some debate about what constitutes a Soulslike, with some even arguing that it’s a term that describes a loose amalgam of gameplay elements and is not in fact a genre. However, general consensus is thata Soulslike is an action RPGwith an emphasis on high levels of difficulty, often featuring environmental storytelling and methodical combat that requires players to learn enemy attack patterns. There are some other elements as well, and each game usually adds its own particular flair to make it distinct.
Another Crab’s Treasurebrings the Soulslike formula to an underwater world that is in disarray. Playing as Kril the hermit crab, gamers will need to collect the various human detritus that has drifted down to the seabed and use them as shells to help defend Kril from enemy attacks. Kril is on a mission to buy back their repossessed shell, and along the way, players will uncover the dark secrets at the heart of the ocean’s corruption (or, in the words of Aggro Crab, “dismantle crabitalism”). On the surface, this doesn’t seem like it has much in common with the grittier, more harrowing entries in theSoulslike genre, but Aggro Crab has found a way to put its own stamp on the tried and tested blueprint.
A Whole New Take
Underwater setting and crab protagonist aside,Another Crab’s Treasureappears to skillfullyadopt the Soulslike formulawhile repackaging it to fit its colorful aesthetic. Players must find trash in the world around them to equip their tenacious crustacean to face up to the much larger (and much scarier-looking) enemies they’ll encounter, similar to finding gear and upgrading armor. The combat is methodical – blocks and rolls need to be timed, enemy moves need to be learned, and attacks need to be performed to perfection to take out the gigantic foes. However, this self-described “Shellslike” is designed to be far more accessible than some of its challenging brethren, offering a slower pace and a variety of approaches for players of various skill levels.
With its Soulslike-inspired combat, diverse underwater world to explore, and variety of enemies to defeat,Another Crab’s Treasureis shaping up to be an enjoyably challenging game. While other titles have approached the formula in some slightly less serious ways, like thesatirical SoulslikeThe Last Hero of Nostalgaia,Another Crab’s Treasureappears to be the first to do so while moving away from the familiar macabre atmosphere and darker aesthetics. Instead of creepy castles, poisonous swamps, and decrepit structures,Another Crab’s Treasurehas coral reefs, sunlit stretches of sand, and kelp forests for players to explore.
But there is still a serious note among the abundance of crabs and cartoonish creatures.Another Crab’s Treasureexplores a society that is on the brink of ruin, with a mysterious infection called the Gunk that threatens the whole ocean thanks to the trash that litters the seabed. Aggro Crab’s first game,Going Under, was a satiricaldungeon crawlerabout an unpaid intern navigating the cursed ruins of failed tech startups in a dystopian hellscape.Another Crab’s Treasureis a similarly nuanced look at societal issues, coated with a colorful outer layer and fun designs to act as a tonic to the darker Soulslikes that players are used to.
Another Crab’s Treasurewill release in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.
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