Dark Shells
Confession to make. I have not played any soulslikes or soulsbornes before. You might remember Chris’ issue 2 review of Bloodborne, one of the most famous games in the “Souls” subgenre of rock-hard action RPGs. For-tuna-tely, in 2022, a new “shellslike” was announced, combining Soulslike combat with platforming and a good chunk of humour and environmental messages. That was Another Crab’s Treasure.
In ACT, you play as Kril (with one L), a small hermit crab who has just had his shell repossessed by an imposing duchess. You have to find some treasure to trade for your shell. Sounds easy? Wrong.
Just like your average soulslike, this game contains realistic swordfighting (read: fork swinging) action, with parrying, dodging and more. However, the main gimmick of the game is the ability for Kril to wear most things he finds around the map as a “shell.” Each shell gives him a certain amount of protection from danger. But wait! Before you go, there’s some more to talk about.
Each shell also gives Kril a different kind of Umami (attack magic). For example, if Kril is wearing a cola can, he can shoot carbonated bubbles that lock on to targets, and if he’s wearing a bottle cap, he can do a spin attack. Cool.
Another thing ACT does differently is provide some more metaphorical “Nintendo energy” to the genre. For example, the visuals are colourful and cel-shaded, like a modern Zelda game, while there are also platforming segments, assisted by a fishing line Kril can use as a grappling hook and an item retriever.
There are also many accessibility features, such as slowing down the game, modifying enemy health, and the ability to “give Kril a gun,” which replaces Kril’s shell with a giant pistol, giving him the Umami of being able to kill anything in one hit, without needing to spend energy.
It also prides itself on its sense of humour, which is mainly puns, minced oaths and boxes for fake products like “sulfur-flavoured cheesy guns.” Thse are well-written, though.
This game is amazing in every way. It has reinvented the soulslike the way the likes of Pizza Tower, A Hat In Time and Billie Bust Up reinvented platformers.
9.8/10
Written by Finley. F
