At first glance, it would be easy to mistakeAnother Crab’s Treasureas something akin to lighthearted early 2000s action platformers (such asBattle for Bikini Bottom), but Aggro Crab is delivering a rather serious Soulslike game in terms of game mechanics. Befitting of the genre,Another Crab’s Treasuretaps into the satisfaction of conquering challenging bosses after numerous failed attempts by mastering the move set and getting a feel for the rhythmic pace of combat.
Despite occupying the same genre, Soulslike games can differ tremendously with just a few minor mechanical tweaks, as evidenced by FromSoftware’sDark SoulsandSekiro. Due toSekiro’s more aggressive pace and reliance on parrying and even jumping, a seasonedDark Soulstrilogyveteran may have serious trouble initially, as the game calls for an entirely different approach to combat where spamming dodge roll doesn’t quite cut it. According to Aggro Crab creative director and narrative lead Caelan Pollock,Another Crab’s Treasuretends to lean more towardSekiro’s brand of fast-paced, reactive, aggressive combat.
Another Crab’s Treasure Emphasizes Aggressive Playstyles
The first hurdle for Aggro Crab was coming up with a Soulslike combat system for a game featuring a hermit crab as a protagonist rather than a typical humanoid character. Understanding that hermit crabs are all about using shells they find for protection, much of the game is centered around the ability to block and parry with the all-important shell. Departing from the more dodge-orientedDark Soulscombat stylein favor of a system that frequently rewards blocking and parrying helps the game lean more towardSekiro’s approach.
It all starts with combat, and how do you get thatSoulscombat across in a game that doesn’t look anything likeSouls,right? So we started with: Okay, you’re a hermit crab. What does the hermit crab want to do? He wants to hide in his shell. A lot of our gameplay is focused around that ability to block with your shell, parry, counter-attack, that sort of thing.
Another Crab’s Treasurealso seems to draw some inspiration fromSekiroin more subtle ways. For example, a blue “aggro symbol” appears when enemies are about to unleash an unblockable attack, which indicates that the player should try to dodge rather than risk their guard being broken. This is reminiscent ofSekiro’s “perilous attack” kanji, andgames likeStar Wars Jedi: Survivorhave also started to borrow this. Such a warning keeps the game feeling fair, as it’d otherwise be rather tedious to be punished for guessing incorrectly.
Sekiro’s Lack of Stamina System Completely Changes Soulslike Gameplay
Possibly the biggest design choice that takesAnother Crab’s TreasureintoSekiroterritory is its deliberatelack of a stamina system. Managing limited stamina has long been a staple ofSoulsgames and their genre contemporaries likeThe Surge, regulating the flow of combat and ensuring that players economize their attacks and dodges. This departure from a stamina system doesn’t necessarily make the gameplay trivial, but rather it opens things up to a faster-paced playstyle. After all, if players can attack with no limits, then they’re also given proportionally more opportunities to make costly mistakes.
In that sense, it gets us closer to aSekirostyle of gameplay, as opposed to straight-upDark Souls,where you’re encouraged to stay up close in the fight. Our game doesn’t have stamina, as well. You really do just want to get in there, take some hits with your shell, dodge when you’re able to, but keep whaling on your opponent.
Of course,Another Crab’s Treasureis very much its own game. There might be some inspiration fromSekiroin terms of the underlying combat system, but deciding between equipping a soda can or a bottle cap before jumping into a furious duel with a much larger crab is undoubtedly a first for the Soulslike genre.
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.
