Another Crab’s Treasurewill take players into the depths of the sea as they follow the journey of a lone hermit crab, Kril, who is set on reclaiming his home. InAnother Crab’s Treasure, players are not only taken on a dark-fantasy adventure, but they also witness how the underwater society that the creatures have always known changes after trash starts contaminating their habitat.
Game Rant recently spoke with Caelan Pollock, creative director/narrative lead ofAnother Crab’s Treasure, who said the moral of the story is not that “pollution is bad,” but instead, it is something much deeper than that. He, studio head/art director Nick Kaman, and others at Aggro Crab decided early on in development what they were and weren’t trying to say with the game, and as Pollock said, pollution being bad was “taken as a given” inAnother Crab’s Treasure’s story.
The Use of Trash in Another Crab’s Treasure
There are a plethora of games that try to tackle humans' mistreatment of the planet and how, if nothing is done, it’ll turn into a wasteland. For example,Terra Nil’s objectiveis to transform a wasteland into an ecological paradise by restoring biomes and reintroducing animals to their natural habitats.Abzûfollows a diver who explores the ocean in search of what is harming the environment. ForAnother Crab’s Treasure, players are left in the middle of the atrocity; trash is “falling from the sky” and heavily affecting the underwater society. Pollock and Kaman made it clear: they’re not making a video game for people who “don’t know” throwing trash in the water is bad, nor those who “don’t believe climate change is a real thing.” Instead, Pollock explained that it was more about maintaining something in the world’s current state:
I was very interested in less approaching it from the perspective of “How do we solve climate change or pollution?” and more about how do we, as people, build community and maintain something to live for in a world that feels like it’s dying.
Kril does use the trash to his advantage, though. Players will have exactly69 shells inAnother Crab’s Treasureto try on and fend off attackers with; these “shells” range from beat-up sneakers, chipped mugs, busted metal cans, and more. This feature is inspired by the true behavior of a hermit crab. Real-life hermit crabs choose their shells according to shape, weight, and how they fit. InAnother Crab’s Treasure, Kril has less of a luxury to be picky, but utilizing trash as a makeshift shell proves to be worthwhile for him during his pursuit.
The ‘Climate Catastrophe’ In Another Crab’s Treasure
Kril isn’t the only character who uses trash as a means of defense. In different fights, Kril will come across foes who are protected by gear like loose bottle caps, metal thimbles, or mini paper umbrellas. Still, these game mechanics are not meant to promote polluting water, but instead show the aftereffects of it. When asked about whatlessonsAnother Crab’s Treasureis trying to communicate, Pollock laughed, “You could keep the ocean clean, you know? How’s that for a lesson?”
This is very much a game about not just climate change, but climate catastrophe. That’s what’s shown to be going on in the underwater world here. I think a lot of people in general, especially people growing up right now, have this sense of “the crumbling world right now.”
Sharing how we feel about that, or helping people find catharsis and what that feels like, was always much more important to me than “Oh, hey, the moral is pollution is bad.” That’s taken as a given in the game’s storyline. “What do we do from here?” is more of the open question.
Another Crab’s Treasureis a refreshing take on environmentally-aware video games. At the core of the game, it shows how pollution affects sea life, but it adds interesting creative twists—like shells that can explode as a defense mechanism—and sprinkles humor to lighten up the darker tones of the game. With a cute, motivated main character like Kril, who just wants his shell back, it’ll be interesting to see howAnother Crab’s Treasurebalances the bigger issue at hand with its approach to humor and overarchingSoulslike game design.
Another Crab’s Treasure
WHERE TO PLAY
As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll need to wear the trash around you as shells to withstand attacks from enemies many times your size. Embark on an epic treasure hunt to buy back your repossessed shell, and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean.TRASH OR TREASURE?In this undersea society, trash is not only a way of life, but a valuable resource, used for everything from fashion to firearms. But with the presence of trash comes a mysterious infection known as the Gunk, which could spell doom for the entire ocean.LEARN FROM NATUREAs Kril explores the ocean, he’ll gain a variety of Umami Techniques—powerful attacks learned from the denizens of the seas. Punch your enemies with the overwhelming might of a Mantis Shrimp, ensnare them with the horrifying Bobbit Worm, and much more.UNEXPLORED DEPTHSThe ocean goes deeper than one can imagine. Fight your way through kelp forests, coral reefs, sand castle cities, and even the unfathomable darkness of the deep-sea trenches, all in the name of getting back your prized shell.
