Another Crab's Treasure

Gameplay – 8.5/10

Another Crab's Treasure turns that loveable Soulslike paradigm upside down and fills it with oceanic delight, replacing knights and castles with crustaceans and coral reefs. You play Kril, an unadorned hermit crab struggling to restore his lost shell, journeying through gorgeous underwater environments made to accompany sometimes grueling, methodical combat.

Although it roots itself in some of the core gameplay of Dark Souls, it also has a special shell-swapping mechanic that's unique to it: Kril doesn't have a real shell, so he has to scavenge for shells from torn-out objects such as tin cans, bottle caps, and even shattered teacups. All the shells provide various defensive stats and abilities, so the battle must take a strategic tack. Fighting is weighty and deliberate, with dodge rolls, parries, and excessively timed charges making up each individual combat encounter. It may not reach the apex of punishing difficulty that its predecessors attained, but Another Crab's Treasure does provide quite the challenge-one that requires patience and skill.

Expedition is yet another enthralling highlight featuring underwater levels that hold treasures, NPCs, and rich lore-based secrets. In addition, the game has an impressive accessibility system, which allows a player to change the level of difficulty so they can enjoy it a little more indulgently without removing too much of the inherent Souls-like flavor.

Story & Atmosphere – 8/10

The game is full of life, but deep down, this title is about pollution, avarice, and his survival in an ocean brimming with discarded human refuse. The clever blending of parody with environmentalism makes Another Crab's Treasure more than just a fun little oddity Soulslike; it has commentary on the world.

From the ancient crabs to the little sea slugs with vexing ways, all are animated through the funny dialogue and plenty of life builds up their personalities. Setting a relatively direct main story with Kril's journey, the lore-building in the world, which is told either through environmental storytelling or NPC interactions, adds to the experience.

Graphics & Sound – 9/10

The graphical aspect of the game is a treat indeed. The underwater world is bursting with vivid bioluminescent caves, coral forests, and sunken ruins, all animated beautifully in the painterly art style. Everything makes movement fluid and character designs so expressive that exploration feels like a whimsically plunging dip into an aquatic wonderland.

Equally joyous was the sound designer who imagined such atmospheric underwater soundscapes, satisfying sounds of action, and beguiling music traversing a spectrum from tranquil explorations to heart-pumping battle tunes. From the crabby gibberish (with subtitles) voiceover acting, it really felt like every interaction had some form of animated personality lending itself to the ocean's life around you.

Challenge & Replayability – 8/10

According to this Soulslike genre, Another Crab's Treasure gives a rewarding challenge. Even though one would find tough encounters standing in the way, they are always justified, while bosses oftentimes require one to be patient in observation and execution skills. Because of the shell-swapping mechanism, players can have a varying experience due to the encouraging experimentation with playstyles.

Replayability is solid, with multiple hidden secrets, different shells to collect, and optional challenges that test your mastery of the combat system. The adjustable difficulty settings also allow for different experiences, catering to both hardcore Soulslike veterans and those just dipping their claws into the genre.

Final Verdict – 8.5/10

Another Crab's Treasure is a refreshing take on the Soulslike genre with combat that is tough but fair, set against an endearingly humorous underwater world that acts as a core setting for social commentary. Whereas it may not always be as punishing as Elden Ring or Dark Souls, its accessibility options and unique mechanics, coupled with its charming aesthetic, undoubtedly rank it among the friendliest and enjoyable entries in the genre. If ever there was an example of a game that is as challenging as it is charming, then this is one treasure worth excavating.