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Crawl

Crawl stands out as a must-own title for Nintendo Switch owners who love a unique take on competitive (and at times co-operative) local multiplayer action.
Crawl Game Cover
93%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, stability
95% User Score Based on 5,017 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchLinuxXbox Series X|SPCMac OSPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
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Crawl Game Cover

About

Crawl is a single player and multiplayer arcade hack and slash game with horror and fantasy themes. It was developed by Powerhoof and was released on April 11, 2017. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Crawl" is a local-multiplayer dungeon crawler where friends control the monsters in a race to gain XP and loot, competing to become the final boss. The game features single-player AI, challenges, and item unlocks, with up to 4 players controlling 60 unique monsters and leveling up in 30-minute sessions. It offers fast-paced role-playing with a variety of weapons, spells, and items to collect.

Genres & Tags
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Crawl screenshot
Crawl screenshot
Crawl screenshot
Crawl screenshot
Crawl screenshot
Crawl screenshot
Crawl screenshot
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Crawl screenshot
Crawl screenshot
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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,017 reviews
gameplay327 positive mentions
grinding26 negative mentions
  • Unique and fun gameplay that combines dungeon crawling with competitive multiplayer mechanics.
  • Great pixel art style and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Highly replayable with a variety of monsters, weapons, and upgrades to unlock.
  • Lacks online multiplayer support, making it difficult to play with friends who are not physically present.
  • Can become repetitive after a few playthroughs due to limited boss variety and dungeon aesthetics.
  • Initial setup for multiplayer can be cumbersome, especially when using Steam Remote Play or other third-party applications.
  • gameplay
    726 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Crawl is characterized by its unique 3v1 mechanic, where one player controls the hero while others take on the role of monsters trying to reclaim their humanity. This asymmetrical setup fosters intense competition and chaotic fun, especially in local multiplayer settings, though some players find the mechanics can become repetitive without a group. Overall, the game is praised for its fast-paced, engaging gameplay loop, intuitive controls, and a variety of unlockable content, making it a standout choice for party gaming despite some criticisms regarding depth and online play.

    • “The gameplay loop is really fun, albeit simple, and I absolutely love the idea of 3 players controlling the creatures of the dungeon to try to gain their humanity back from the current hero.”
    • “It captures the communal spirit of old-school gaming nights—when everyone gathered around the same screen, laughing at each other’s failures and victories—and wraps it in a modern, tightly designed gameplay loop.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and dynamic, with a lot happening on the screen at any given time, but the low-resolution pixel art used for the graphics is a poor choice that hinders the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “In theory, this game is chaotic fun with 3 friends, but in practice and especially with the resurrection mechanic, it feels too tedious.”
    • “Firstly, the game lacks depth and variety in gameplay.”
    • “The combat mechanics are overly simplistic and repetitive, making each playthrough feel like a chore.”
  • graphics
    369 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, which effectively evokes a nostalgic 16-bit arcade aesthetic while maintaining clarity during chaotic gameplay. Many reviewers appreciate the vibrant visuals and atmospheric design, noting that the retro graphics enhance the overall experience, despite some criticism regarding their low resolution and potential difficulty in tracking action during intense moments. Overall, the art style is considered a significant strength, contributing to the game's fun and engaging multiplayer dynamics.

    • “The pixel art style enhances readability amid the mayhem, keeping battles clear even when the screen is crowded with chaos.”
    • “The stylish pixel art style is presented beautifully alongside the eerie yet enchanting soundtrack.”
    • “The graphics give it a good retro feel while still being pretty and the soundtrack is great too!”
    • “The pixelated graphics look outdated and unappealing, and the sound effects and soundtrack are forgettable and unremarkable.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and dynamic, with a lot happening on the screen at any given time, but the low resolution pixel art used for the graphics is a poor choice that hinders the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “Another related issue that hinders the overall experience is the badly pixelated graphics, which makes reading anything difficult, and it has nothing to do with the font size; the letters are pretty damn big already.”
  • music
    260 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and atmospheric chiptune soundtrack, which perfectly complements the retro pixel art style and enhances the overall gameplay experience. Many players describe it as nostalgic and fitting for the game's themes, although some express a desire for more variety in the tracks to prevent repetition during extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “The soundtrack amplifies this energy perfectly—a pulsing, synth-driven score that evokes the tension and momentum of classic horror arcade games.”
    • “The stylish pixel art style is presented beautifully alongside the eerie yet enchanting soundtrack.”
    • “The music fits the game incredibly well and really works with the environment to immerse you into the dungeon atmosphere.”
    • “I only wish that it had more variety in its music and stages.”
    • “Same goes for the dungeon environment which lacks almost any variety in its aesthetic, and the music which begins to feel repetitive after a few playthroughs.”
    • “Also, at this point, the music is very limited and gets pretty repetitive.”
  • replayability
    134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability, particularly in multiplayer settings, with many players highlighting its fun mechanics, unlockable content, and procedural generation that keeps each playthrough fresh. While some users note limitations in solo play and a desire for more content, the overall consensus is that the game offers a wealth of replay value, especially when played with friends. The combination of competitive and cooperative gameplay, along with numerous unlocks and varied experiences, contributes to its enduring appeal.

    • “Delightfully fun game with infinite replayability.”
    • “Incredible game with tons of replayability and room for fun in every corner, with competitive gameplay or cooperative gameplay dependent on what you and your mates want to do.”
    • “The customization of gameplay on each run makes this game almost infinitely replayable and a blast each time, but the key feature of this game is having it played with people.”
    • “I completed this in 46 minutes, enjoyed my time with it - although it got too hectic at times - the big complaint for me is that once you complete this game, unless you just want to replay this with friends or retry the exact same experience you’ve been through, you’re out of luck when it comes to replayability.”
    • “It's a fun game but it has an oddly low amount of replayability for a rogue-like.”
    • “Although, lack of online multiplayer and only 1 boss makes this game spoil replayability.”
  • humor
    83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players consistently highlighting its chaotic and hilarious multiplayer experience. Many reviews emphasize the joy of playing with friends, where moments of betrayal and unexpected gameplay mechanics lead to laughter and memorable interactions. The combination of dark humor, funny animations, and engaging gameplay creates a uniquely entertaining atmosphere that keeps players coming back for more.

    • “Each run is a self-contained story of shifting power, wild luck, and grim humor.”
    • “Hilarious moments come from simple but useful game mechanics that make Crawl an infinitely replayable package as a party game, and one that does just enough to keep you invested for multiple long sessions.”
    • “Crawl is fantastic, just simply an amazingly vicious and unforgiving co-op party experience that will leave you and your friends screaming at each other, laughing, and sometimes crying.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat; it tries too hard to be funny but ends up being cringeworthy instead.”
    • “I expected some clever jokes, but the humor is mostly juvenile and misses the mark.”
    • “The attempts at humor feel forced and often detract from the overall experience.”
  • story
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is minimal and often described as a light touch that enhances the gameplay without being a central focus. Players experience self-contained narratives during each run, featuring elements of dark humor and a Lovecraftian backdrop, but many express a desire for a more developed story mode or cooperative narrative experience. Overall, while the voice acting and introductory scenes are praised, the lack of a deeper storyline leaves some players wanting more.

    • “Each run is a self-contained story of shifting power, wild luck, and grim humor.”
    • “In the depths of darkness, where shadows dance and malevolent spirits whisper, this game unfolds like a spooky campfire story, where heroes rise and fall, and monsters seize their chance for revenge.”
    • “The brief story-like introductions have some great variety to them, and there's nothing more awesome than going through all the new monsters, weapons, and items you unlock after every game.”
    • “The progression system, which unlocks new monsters and items over time, adds longevity, but players seeking deeper storylines or online multiplayer will find those elements missing by design.”
    • “There really isn't much of a story.”
    • “From what I have seen so far, there is no story behind any of the game, purely focuses on the gameplay elements.”
  • atmosphere
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in Crawl is widely praised for its captivating blend of minimalist pixel art, haunting soundtracks, and immersive design that evokes a sense of trepidation and nostalgia. Players appreciate how the game's aesthetic and audio elements work together to create a unique and engaging dungeon-crawling experience, enhancing both competitive and cooperative gameplay. Overall, the atmosphere is described as intense, charming, and integral to the game's appeal, making it a standout title in the indie gaming scene.

    • “The aesthetic may be minimalist, but it’s delivered with flair and a keen understanding of how to evoke atmosphere without overcomplicating the presentation.”
    • “The atmosphere is on point in terms of making you feel as if you're exploring a dank dark dungeon that's haunted by an ancient evil presence, the spirits that haunt you, follow you and possess traps and summon monsters only add to this feeling.”
    • “Crawl makes a spectacular first impression with amazing atmosphere, solid chiptune music, and 'right to the action' gameplay.”
    • “The atmosphere was thick with trepidation, as my fellow adventurers and I navigated the treacherous dungeon, unaware of the betrayal that awaited us.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is just creepy enough to send the willies up newcomers, not to mention the new intro cutscenes narrated by the magnificent old shrimpeyes.”
    • “While the look could understandably be considered 'played-out' to some extent, in the current indie environment, the atmosphere cast over the room by the up-tempo horror-midi soundtrack is both appropriate and exceptional.”
  • grinding
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience, often feeling tedious, especially when playing against AI bots, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate the unlockable content and the satisfaction of progression, many find solo play and grinding for achievements to be unfun and repetitive. The game shines in multiplayer settings, but the grind can become overwhelming without friends to share the experience.

    • “There's no grinding; it's a classic arcade cabinet style where you just jump in and get the full experience right away. However, I acknowledge that some people enjoy progression, which can be seen as either a pro or a con.”
    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “There's a lot of grinding involved.”
    • “Unless you have friends to constantly play this, it just is a tedious grind.”
    • “In theory, this game is chaotic fun with 3 friends, but in practice and especially with the resurrection mechanic, it feels too tedious.”
    • “Technically you can play on your own against the AI, but since the gameplay is so simple, it gets tedious very fast.”
  • stability
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting frequent freezes and controller issues, particularly during remote play. However, others have noted that it runs smoothly on platforms like Steam Deck and Linux, with minimal bugs for an early access title. Overall, while there are significant stability concerns for some players, others have experienced a relatively bug-free experience, highlighting the need for ongoing improvements.

    • “The game is super unique, everything runs fast, and there are no glitches!”
    • “Crawl is a great game in many regards, a fun art style, polished gameplay, surprisingly bug-free for an early access game, and constantly changing how you play.”
    • “Firstly, as an early access game, I was astonished when I picked this up because I found little to no glitches or bugs and it was bursting with content right from the start.”
    • “Game freezes every thirty seconds.”
    • “It's a buggy mess though... constant problems with the controllers and don't get me started on trying to remote play.”
    • “Important things to note: the game can be a little buggy regarding controllers.”
  • optimization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance and consistent 60 fps, alongside well-executed combat animations. However, some users have experienced issues with performance on specific systems, indicating that while the game is well-optimized, individual experiences may vary. The variety of options for play optimization adds depth, making the gameplay engaging for those who enjoy exploring different strategies.

    • “Some deities aren't as powerful as others, but there's enough room for cleverness and play optimization that all the options feel interesting.”
    • “It's extremely well optimized, has an arcade/pixelated appearance of Gauntlet on the arcade, and overall it's just a smooth running game.”
    • “The game itself runs a smooth 60 fps at all times, and the combat animations themselves run smoothly.”
    • “I really wish it was a thing in the past; that way they could have optimized the idea!”
    • “But on the tryhard side, there's a host of options and optimization to sink your teeth into, as well as plenty of things you can pick up to make things more interesting.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players who describe it as a powerful and heartfelt experience, evoking strong feelings that can lead to tears. Many express that it serves as a nostalgic tribute to classic gaming, with moments of triumph and heartbreak that resonate deeply, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

    • “I cried.”
    • “So good, it makes me want to cry...”
    • “Overall a heartfelt love letter to gaming days of yore, a must-buy for anyone who remembers a video game arcade.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for misleading advertising, particularly regarding its multiplayer capabilities, which do not meet player expectations. Users feel that the promotional materials do not accurately represent the game's short and simple story, leading to disappointment after purchase.

    • “Misleading advertising, be warned!”
    • “The deceptive advertising regarding multiplayer capability also ticks me off.”
    • “This game features a very short, simple story, and is promoted with a short, simple advertisement that compliments the game's most attractive qualities very well.”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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12h Median play time
26h Average play time
9-30h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Crawl is a arcade hack and slash game with horror and fantasy themes.

Crawl is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac OS and others.

On average players spend around 26 hours playing Crawl.

Crawl was released on April 11, 2017.

Crawl was developed by Powerhoof.

Crawl has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Crawl is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Crawl (Horror Game), Hammerwatch, Risk of Rain, Wizard of Legend, Heroes of Hammerwatch and others.