The soulslike style is hardly an unexplored frontier nowadays. Whereas I typically detest utilizing the “like” nomenclature, it’s laborious to disclaim that FromSoftware made some very particular tweaks to the action-RPG style that preserve getting lifted wholesale. I used to be not too long ago perturbed by Lies Of P primarily simply lifting Bloodborne, sprinkling some variations from different Souls video games, after which simply calling it a day. I’ve hassle applauding somebody for simply copying the successes of one other firm wholesale.

However I’m not towards the soulslike style, normally. A developer simply must put their very own twist on issues. Take One other Crab’s Treasure, for instance. There’s a number of Souls DNA blended in right here. The basic techniques boil right down to primarily the identical place. However just by mashing it with the polluted ocean flooring and engaging creatures which can be hermit crabs, the builders at Aggro Crab have created one thing that’s uniquely theirs.

You’ve acquired crabs

I truly preserve land hermit crabs as pets. Certainly one of them I’ve had for 13 years. They’re attention-grabbing little crustaceans, having their very own small personalities and their very own shell preferences. Ugly butts, although. You simply often don’t see them.

One other Crab’s Treasure stars saltwater hermit crab, Kril, as they discover the polluted ocean depths. The demo doesn’t have a lot in the best way of narrative, however I’m studying the press launch, and he’s apparently looking for treasure so he should buy again his repossessed shell. That’s incredible.

The large twist right here is that Kril can soar into varied trash to put on as a shell. Every bit of rubbish has its personal “Umami Capability” that can be utilized in fight. Not solely that, the shells have completely different sturdiness, and also you’ll be swapping them out on a regular basis as they break, generally even throughout boss battles. A part of the sport’s enjoyable is simply attempting out completely different shells and watching Kril put on the whole lot from a pop can to an ice cream cone.

Trials of trash

The variations in fight between One other Crab’s Treasure and any of the Souls video games threw me off at first. Studying when and the best way to use Umami Skills and the very best methods for protection isn’t solely easy, so I had some issue at first. Even after I started to get the dangle of issues, I used to be afraid of utilizing my shell, figuring out that relying an excessive amount of on it will lead to it breaking.

It doesn’t assist that the demo has two speeds: a tutorial and a stage later within the sport. I really feel like if I acquired dropped earlier on the problem curve, I might have had issues internalized earlier than I needed to cope with archers and samurai. 

Loads has been simplified from its influences. There are solely 4 very easy stats to fret about, and whereas you are able to do some fancy issues together with your grappling hook, there’s no crucial hit from hitting an enemy within the butt. This makes the entire sport really feel lots quicker and nearly akin to an N64 platformer.

Talking of which, there’s platforming. There’s your typical method of avoiding hazards by leaping on small environmental objects, however then there are additionally nets to climb and hooks to shot. Kril’s fairly spry for somebody carrying rubbish on their again. 

For the umami

Then again, there are a number of unfastened threads within the demo. I get the sensation that it’s nonetheless comparatively early within the growth of One other Crab’s Treasure, because the developer expects to ship it in 2024. As such, there are some points with the texture of the sport and simply the final circulation of fight. The digicam was notably troublesome. It might have issue seeing round objects and would generally clip proper by way of the bottom in a really unhelpful method. The lock-on helps in fight, however it’s too gluey at occasions and unreliable at others.

Nevertheless, a number of the problems I had will be evened out with the sharpening brush. I’d be extra involved if the sport was out, say, subsequent week. Because it stands, there’s loads of time to tighten up the screws.

Because it stands, I’m simply enamored by the idea. The intense visuals that depict a garbage-strewn wasteland and the twisting of acquainted ideas simply make for a extremely enjoyable tackle the style. There’s a number of creativity and character on show, which makes One other Crab’s Treasure one to look at.

If you wish to check out the demo for One other Crab’s Treasure your self, you possibly can discover it proper right here as a part of Steam Subsequent Fest.