Summary
The most recent release in a long line of excellent Indie Soulslike games,Another Crab’s Treasurehas clearly paid close attention to those that have come before it, learning what makes a good Soulslike and what definitely doesn’t, and then condensing that down to produce a smaller-scale, highly-accessible adventure that offers a new type of Soulslike experience. Though it wears its influences on its sleeve,Another Crab’s Treasureis something wholly its own.
Another Crab’s Treasurehas no shortage of excellent qualities, from its bright and lively art style and world design to its responsive combat to its well-themed boss design, and all of these qualities come together to lift the game right to the top of the pantheon ofgreat Indie Soulslikes. But despite its pleasant presentation and fair mechanics,Another Crab’s Treasureis still a Soulslike game that can be pretty challenging, and if players are struggling, then they may want to turn to the following unwritten rules.
The Unwritten Rules of Another Crab’s Treasure Explained
Experiment With Different Shells
One ofAnother Crab’s Treasure’s defining features is its shell system. Taking on the role of a hermit crab, players are able to wear a variety of different objects on their backs as temporary shells. Wearing a shell allows the player to block oncoming attacks and use a special power playfully named “Shell Spells.” These Shell Spells can vary greatly depending on the equipped shell, ranging from a homing projectile attack to a heavy aerial attack to a way to gain instant health.
Shells inAnother Crab’s Treasurealso have a distinct weight class that determines the player’s speed, and a durability rating which determines the shell’s health. With69 shells inAnother Crab’s Treasure, players are heavily encouraged to experiment with each and every one they find during their travels so that they find the right combination of abilities, weight classes, and durability that best suits their own unique playstyle.
Level Up and Upgrade as Much as Possible
As is the case in just about any Soulslike, leveling up is a vital part ofAnother Crab’s Treasure’s gameplay loop. On its standard difficulty settings, enemies inAnother Crab’s Treasurewill continue to grow stronger throughout the game, requiring the player to level up steadily alongside them. Whenever the player has spare Microplastics, they should be heading to the nearest Moon Snail Shell and investing their money into one of the game’s four stats, particularly Vitality and Attack. Players should also ensure that they’re visiting the Moon Snail frequently to use up any crystals they’ve obtained, unlocking the game’s incredibly useful special abilities.
Equip Stowaways Strategically
When Stowaways are first introduced inAnother Crab’s Treasure, they don’t seem overtly useful, with the first few ones the player unlocks offering minor stat boosts. As players progress throughAnother Crab’s Treasure, they’ll start to find some Stowaways that can drastically affect gameplay, such as the little fish pet follower that will attack enemies alongside the player. But with limited equipment space, players need to strategically choosethe best set of Stowawaysfor their playstyle, just like with shells.
Don’t Worry About Changing the Difficulty
There’s a lot of stigma surrounding the desire foreasier Soulslike games, butAnother Crab’s Treasuregoes out of its way to remind players that their enjoyment of the game is what really matters. If players are hitting a brick wall withAnother Crab’s Treasureand simply can’t find enjoyment in its challenge, then it’s more than okay to use the game’s Assist mode to lower various difficulty factors, after all, it’s what they’re there for.
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.
