Hey everyone! Here with a cozy deep dive into Another Crab’s Treasure. This vibrant undersea souls-like from Aggro Crab hooked me in from shell one. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
Overall Impressions
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I heard “cute crab meets Dark Souls.” But this game blends charm and challenge like a perfectly mixed cocktail. Its bright colors and bubbly characters hide a tight, skill-based combat system that reminded me of Sekiro and Lies of P. Unlike most souls-likes, it feels forgiving yet deep. It stood out for its humor, tight pacing, and creative level design. On the flip side, some NPCs feel thin, and a few grapple points bugged out. Still, it ranks up top among cozy souls-likes.
Gameplay Mechanics
Combat feels slick and clean. You wield a trusty tri-bident (aka a fork) and swap shells to unlock unique abilities. Learning enemy timings rewards you with satisfying parries and punishing ripostes.
What Works in Aggro Crab’s Latest Game
Aggro Crab nails the fundamentals with a tight core gameplay loop centered on fork-based combat, shell-swapping strategy, and pure skill. Players won’t get bogged down in excessive menus or crafting systems—instead, the action stays streamlined and satisfying. One standout feature is the perfect parry mechanic, which delivers a satisfying “clink” sound that practically lights up the screen. It’s as addictive and gratifying as popping bubble wrap. Build variety also shines thanks to the ability to swap shells on the fly, letting players lean into different styles like powerful mage blasts, tanky resilience, or agile poke-and-run tactics.
What Feels Off and Room for Improvement
While the gameplay foundation is strong, a few rough edges hold it back from perfection. The grapple hook, though a fun traversal tool, can occasionally fail to latch properly, sometimes resulting in soft-locks—especially frustrating when trapped in spike pits. Another notable omission is the lack of a co-op feature. With no option to summon friends for boss battles, solo players are left to face challenging encounters alone. Still, the game’s charm shines through in its humor and voice acting—one player even joked they died a million times but kept laughing throughout. That joyful resilience is part of what makes the experience memorable.
Story and Characters
You play a humble hermit crab whose shell got repossessed. Your quest? Buy back your home by hunting treasure across the reef. World-building shines when you explore wrecked ships and coral ruins. Human trash becomes eerie architecture. Most side characters deliver punny dialogue that had me kraken up. They rarely steal the show, but their one-liners keep the tone light. Truth be told, the cast feels a bit one-dimensional. You’ll remember the crab dad who sells shells, and the disgruntled pufferfish banker. But expect more gameplay thrills than deep drama.
Visuals and Graphics
Art style hits the sweet spot between cutesy and atmospheric. Characters have rounded designs that contrast with massive underwater structures. Every area has its own “salty flavor.” The poison swamp tested my patience with toxic lungfish, but it looked stunning. I noticed repurposed human junk—tin cans, broken glass—woven into levels. It adds a subtle environmental message without preaching. Performance stayed stable at 120 FPS on my Ryzen 7 7700X and RTX 4070 SUPER. I saw no major visual glitches, aside from that one grapple hiccup.
Sound and Music
Aggro Crab nailed the sound design. Shells clink and forks clang with satisfying weight. The soundtrack flows from peaceful coral gardens to driving boss themes. It never overstays its welcome. Voice acting shines in key moments. Your crab hero, the villainous octopus, even a gossiping shrimp banker all sound great. I only wished every line had VO. Some flavor text still reads silently on screen.
Difficulty and Replayability
Another Crab’s Treasure strikes a cozy balance.
Challenge
Aggro Crab’s latest title delivers a satisfying level of difficulty without feeling punishing. Boss fights are crafted with solid mechanics and clear telegraphed moves, allowing players to learn and adapt quickly after each defeat. While you’re bound to fall a few times, the game encourages progress through smart design rather than cheap tricks. For those moments when things get too tough, Trader Shells offer a built-in way to lower the difficulty. Impressively, even using this “easy mode” earns you an achievement—reminding players that there’s no shame in finding your own path through the chaos.
Replay Value
This quirky crustacean adventure isn’t just a one-and-done experience. Replayability is baked in, starting with the New Game Plus mode that dropped shortly after release. It amps up the difficulty while adding new loot and opportunities to test out fresh shell combos. Explorers and completionists will appreciate the game’s hidden bosses, collectible shells, and optional upgrade materials that reward those who poke around every corner. While some players hit 100% in around 16 hours, the allure of NG+ has others diving back in repeatedly, eager to discover every secret the game has to offer.
Another Crab’s Treasure delivers a charming souls-like experience that’s as cozy as it is challenging. I dock a half-star for minor bugs and thin support characters, but its snappy gameplay and bubbly style win me over.
Behind the Scenes Trivia
Aggro Crab’s newest title marks an exciting evolution from their debut, which centered on arena-style combat. This follow-up embraces open-ended exploration, offering players a more expansive and immersive gameplay experience. One standout element is the unique voice cast, featuring indie actors recording from home studios around the globe—contributing to the game’s distinctive, quirky charm. Notably, the developers demonstrated their responsiveness with a New Game Plus patch released just one week after launch, a fast-paced update driven by community feedback and a testament to their dedication.
Final Thoughts
If you want a cozy entry into the souls-like genre—one filled with puns, vibrant levels, and solid combat—Another Crab’s Treasure makes waves. It proves you don’t need hundreds of weapons to deliver depth and fun. So slip on your shell, grab that fork, and dive into this crabulous adventure. You might just find home again while you’re at it.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Happy gaming, and stay cozy beneath the waves!
