Summary
Another Crab’s Treasureis an upcoming Soulslike by Aggro Crab that not only aims to be unlike any Soulslike before it but may also succeed in being the last of its kind. As Kril the hermit crab, players will explore the underwater world on a quest to recover his beloved shell, all while fighting bosses similar to traditional Soulslike games along the way. It’s safe to say thatindie gamedeveloper Aggro Crab has taken a daring leap of faith withAnother Crab’s Treasure —one that other Soulslike developers may never take — which means its reception could go either way. However, it still possesses the potential to set a new precedent for the genre if it exceeds expectations, thus inspiring future imitations.
What truly makesAnother Crab’s Treasureunique is that there will likely never be another Soulslike game like it. As aSoulslike based on crabs,Another Crab’s Treasure’s premise is already enough to set it apart from other games in the genre, but it manages to distinguish itself in a variety of other ways as well.
Another Crab’s Treasure Is a One-of-a-Kind Soulslike
Another Crab’s Treasure Takes Place Underwater
Another Crab’s Treasure’s most prominent feature is undoubtedly its underwater setting. In fact, it has been marketed as an “underwater Soulslike” because its setting is such a significant part of what makes it a unique take on the Soulslike genre.Soulslike games are known for their dark, foreboding atmospheres, and while it might be possible to recreate them in the unknown depths of the sea, it would be rather difficult to accomplish without making a game’s visuals a bit more animated and its tone a little less serious, asAnother Crab’s Treasure’s is. Having an underwater setting immediately establishes certain physics limitations that traditional Soulslike games might have difficulty adapting to, butAnother Crab’s Treasure’s premise allows it to take full advantage of those limitations without any questions as to its legitimacy.
Another Crab’s Treasure Has a Unique Sense of Humor
Another wayAnother Crab’s Treasuresets itself apart in the Soulslike genre is in its unique sense of humor. Even before its release,Another Crab’s Treasure’s unashamed approach to comedy can be seen in footage of the game’s demo and announcement trailer, and comedy as lighthearted as this can’t be found anywhere in the Soulslike games that have come before it. In all respects,Another Crab’s Treasureis as silly as they come, almost to the point of willfully holding its dignity out on a limb and potentially exposing itself to mockery. One of its favorite ways to express its humorous side is in its wordplay, with even one of its collectible shells, the LEGAL Brick shell, taking on the appearance of a LEGO brick.
Another Crab’s Treasure Features Traditional Platforming
After the release ofAnother Crab’s Treasure’s demo, many players were enamored with its platforming to the point of requesting that more of it be added in the game’s final release. PastSoulslike gameshave typically not implemented traditional platforming mechanics, butAnother Crab’s Treasuremakes platforming one of its core gameplay features. Players can perform traditional platforming maneuvers to traverse the varied levels of the seafloor, along with a grappling hook that can be used for platforming as well as in combat.
Another Crab’s Treasurewill likely be leaving some sort of mark on the Soulslike genre when it launches in April, but whether that mark is positive or negative remains to be seen. Still, it will clearly bring a variety of elements to the table the genre has never seen before, and unless it turns out to be a massive success, it may very well be the last of its kind.
Another Crab’s Treasurereleases on June 22, 2025, for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
