Another Crab’s Treasure Review (PC) – The Most Accessible Soulslike Yet

When I first found out about Another Crab’s Treasure, I’ll be honest—I was put off by the game. It was too cutesy and a departure from the dystopian, desolate Soulslike games I was used to. There was no end of the world, no hollowing, nothing of the sort. Instead, you play as a humble and naïve hermit crab trying to reclaim what was stolen from him. However, based on recommendations from several people who also enjoy the genre, I decided to give it a try. It also didn’t hurt that the game was available on Xbox Game Pass. Now, I’m a believer.

Game Name: Another Crab’s Treasure
Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Reviewed)
Developer(s): Aggro Crab
Publisher(s): Aggro Crab
Release Date: April 25, 2024

To say I was surprised and amused when I finally had the chance to play Another Crab’s Treasure would be an understatement. I laughed, I got frustrated, and in the end, I genuinely enjoyed what I played. For Another Crab’s Treasure being Aggro Crab’s first attempt at developing a Soulslike, you could have fooled me—this is the total package. I even purchased a copy on Steam to support the developers.

I still need to know just how high the developers were when they came up with this game—and whether The Little Mermaid was involved. I have to know!

Let’s get crabby

While Another Crab’s Treasure may look like a cutesy Soulslike, believe me when I say—it only looks that way. The game is just as tough as some of the other Soulslikes I’ve played, yet at the same time, it goes easier on players. How so, you ask? It’s all in the details and implementation.

Unlike many Soulslikes—especially those from FromSoftware—that overwhelm you with multiple attributes like Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, Another Crab’s Treasure keeps things simple. Sure, you’ll still need to manage attributes, but the system is streamlined, focusing only on Vitality, Attack, Resistance, and MSG (which serves as your ability power). This makes everything easier to grasp, lowering the barrier to entry without sacrificing depth.

Going into the game, I thought I’d be frustrated by the simplified stat system, but to my surprise, I actually enjoyed it.

There are also items called Stowaways, which function as perk-providing gear accessories in the game. You can mix and match various perks, such as increasing attack damage or speed, boosting your magic, adding more health, and more. However, some Stowaways come with a “gotcha” effect—granting excellent perks but forcing you to sacrifice something in return.

While the game is linear, that doesn’t mean you have to strictly follow the path in front of you. You could be like me—completely ignoring what I’m supposed to do, wandering into areas far beyond my level, getting my butt kicked, and then aimlessly exploring until I finally speak to the right NPC who sets me on the correct path. That’s just how I’m used to playing these kinds of games.

Enjoyable crabbat… I mean combat

Let’s be honest—the combat is one of the defining aspects of a Soulslike. That punishing, hard-as-nails, makes-you-run-home-to-your-mommy combat. However, like most things in Another Crab’s Treasure, the combat is slightly simplified. Unlike most games in the genre, there’s only a single attack button, but holding it down charges your attack for extra damage. You can dodge, jump, and, yes, block—but only after playing for about 20–30 minutes and unlocking the ability to acquire a makeshift shell. (I’ll talk more about shells in a bit.) You can even parry attacks if you choose to unlock that ability. That said, if I could change one thing (and maybe I can), I’d lengthen the parry window.

Combat-wise, this is still a Soulslike through and through. Cutesy visuals or not, you need to stay focused, or enemies—and especially bosses—will maul you. Getting ganked by multiple enemies isn’t a matter of if but when. Bosses will punish you, trapping you in combos more than a few times. Some areas even have verticality, giving enemies more ways to kick your butt while you struggle to reach them. Oh yes, make no mistake—this is still a Soulslike. Don’t let the cutesy nature of the game fool you.

The game’s version of XP is called Microplastic, earned by defeating enemies or collecting items. You can use it to level up or buy items, but there’s a catch—when you pick up an item that grants Microplastic, you have to haul it back to town and sell it to a vendor to actually claim your loot. It would be much more convenient if you could just use the item on the spot. I understand why it works this way—it ties into the game’s story—but I still don’t love it. Thankfully, teleporting, or rather shelleporting, is quick and easy.

Taking a page from Sekiro’s playbook, you only have access to one weapon—a fork, of all things. This weapon can be upgraded as long as you have the necessary resources, allowing players to focus more on gameplay rather than constantly searching for new weapons or deciding which one to upgrade for maximum damage.

There’s even a skill tree that expands your playstyle, offering abilities like unlocking the ability to parry—and it feels great. You’re never forced to use it, but when you do, it feels natural, and the skills are genuinely useful. Or you can ignore it entirely—it’s up to you.

Exploration also comes with surprises, sometimes leading to unexpected boss fights. I have to say, I really enjoyed that. Here I am, just wandering around, minding my business, and suddenly… BOSS FIGHT. Good stuff, Aggro Crab.

That said, I did run into some issues. At times, my character would clip into walls, or the camera wouldn’t cooperate, causing me to take damage from enemies I couldn’t even see. Movement can also feel clunky, which is a real pain during combat. And early on, ranged enemies can absolutely wreck you the moment they spot you, dealing massive damage.

One shell of a time

When I play Soulslikes, I always wonder what unique mechanic the developer has introduced to make their game stand out. You can’t just copy the FromSoftware playbook entirely. Another Crab’s Treasure has one specific mechanic that I find truly mind-blowing: shells. If you’ve played Mortal Shell, it’s somewhat similar—but much more accessible and versatile.

Since you play as a hermit crab trying to reclaim his home and favorite shell, you’ll come across various objects that function as makeshift shells. This eliminates the need for traditional armor, further simplifying the game’s mechanics. These shells can be equipped at any time, each with its own resilience (how much damage it can absorb) and unique abilities. Some grant momentary invincibility, others enable ranged attacks or dashing strikes that make you feel like Sonic the Hedgehog, and more.

These shells also have their own weight classes, affecting your mobility—some let you move quickly, while heavier ones can cause you to fat roll or even prevent dodging altogether. You’ll find a variety of shells, from soda cans and shot glasses to coconuts and even a computer mouse. You can swap between them at any time, including during combat.

While it might not seem like it at first, the shell system acts as a mini-game, challenging players to choose the best shell for each situation. Do you go for one with high resistance that lets you block more but slows you down? Or do you opt for a lighter shell with minimal protection but greater mobility? Or perhaps you prioritize abilities over defense? The choice is yours.

Play how you like – there’s no judgment here

Plays great on the PC

A lesson to learn

Shelltastic

Another Crab’s Treasure is a surprising and delightful addition to the Soulslike genre. It combines challenging combat, a simplified stat system, and innovative mechanics with a meaningful story. Aggro Crab has crafted a game that is both accessible and engaging, setting a new standard for the genre. Despite my initial reluctance, Another Crab’s Treasure has impressed me with its combat, exploration, and storytelling.

Review Disclosure Statement: Another Crab’s Treasure was purchased by The Outerhaven for review purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media/technology, please review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy.

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