KILL CRAB
- July 19, 2023
- Tumbleweed Games
![KILL CRAB Game Cover](https://img.gamebrain.co/games/771/kill_crab_tumbleweed_2023_1_xl.jpg)
KILL CRAB is the outcome of a devoted University student team comprising five developers who worked for five months to bring the game to life. Your mission is to descend to the ocean floor and confront the colossal goldfish, The Nugget Nibbler. To get its attention, you must first fight and eliminate an army of crabs in the surrounding areas. These crabs, along with other sea creatures, will act a…
Reviews
- The game is free to play, making it an accessible option for players.
- The graphics and artistic direction are well-received, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere.
- The gameplay, while short, is fun and features a unique concept of battling underwater enemies.
- The playtime is very short, leaving players wanting more content.
- Gameplay mechanics can be frustrating, with enemies spawning too close and movement feeling floaty.
- The game lacks depth and balance, making it feel more like a demo than a fully realized title.
- story9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story of "Kill Crab" intertwines a simple survival narrative with deeper themes of human struggle and psychological torment, drawing inspiration from the short story "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream." Players navigate through increasingly challenging waves of aquatic enemies, fostering a connection to the emotional weight of the narrative. While some players desired a more structured progression, the game ultimately offers a heartfelt exploration of survival and resilience against overwhelming odds.
“As in the short story, 'Kill Crab' delves into the darker aspects of the human psyche.”
“This relentless pursuit for survival, even in the face of hopelessness, creates a profound sense of connection between the narrative elements of both the short story and the game.”
“Overall, 'Kill Crab' succeeds not only as an engaging underwater FPS but also as a thought-provoking narrative that draws inspiration from the literary brilliance of 'I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream.' As players dive deeper into the game's challenges and the intricacies of its themes, they are sure to gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind both the short story and the game.”
“I would have much preferred a thought-out pattern of waves increasing in challenge or a linear format story mission.”
“The game's story is simple; you are a diver who tries to survive on four different maps that are crab-infested, plus a boss fight in the end.”
“In the short story, the characters face an all-powerful AI that torments them ceaselessly, while in the game, players must combat relentless waves of aquatic enemies, each more formidable than the last.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for its poor mechanics and lack of depth, overshadowing the impressive artistic direction and arena design. While some find enjoyment in the quirky elements, such as battling unique bosses, the overall experience is deemed lacking and more suited for a university project than a polished game.
“Despite the wonky mechanics, it's a blast to be a sheriff taking on giant crabs and a huge fish with a captain's hat as the final boss.”
“I felt the arena areas themselves presented poor gameplay.”
“Looks and sounds good for a university project, but severely lacks in gameplay.”
“More attention has gone into crafting each of the arenas than the basic mechanics.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their artistic direction and visual appeal, with many finding the art style and theming enjoyable. However, some players feel that while the graphics are fun, they do not compensate for gameplay shortcomings, such as overwhelming enemy spawns and unsatisfying mechanics. Overall, the visuals are a highlight, but they are not enough to elevate the overall experience.
“Well, I thought the graphics and theming were pretty on point.”
“Good graphics, fun gunplay; it's worth taking 30 minutes out of a day to play.”
“Ultimately, I feel the artistic direction in terms of graphical integrity was great.”
“The idea is cute, the art style is nice, but the mumbly narrator and unsatisfying shooting left me feeling cold.”
“The graphics look outdated and lack detail, making the game feel less immersive.”
“While the character designs are interesting, the overall visual presentation feels flat and uninspired.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the enjoyable atmosphere and contributing to a smooth gameplay experience, with some players highlighting its quality alongside the voice acting. However, one user noted that the risk music during the tutorial was distressing, indicating a mixed response to specific musical elements.
“Just as good as I remember it when I got to play it early. Fantastic game, smooth flow, enjoyable atmosphere, great music and voice acting, gunplay is fun and exciting, and also teaches you crowd control the hard way!”
“Decent game, but the music in the tutorial gave me PTSD.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and quickly becomes annoying.”
“The music doesn't fit the game's theme and feels out of place.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a haunting and eerie ambiance that effectively conveys a sense of dread and psychological turmoil, reminiscent of "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream." Players appreciate the immersive experience, enhanced by great music, voice acting, and engaging gameplay elements that contribute to an enjoyable overall atmosphere.
“Just as good as I remember it when I got to play it early. Fantastic game, smooth flow, enjoyable atmosphere, great music and voice acting, gunplay is fun and exciting, and also teaches you crowd control the hard way!”
“The constant exposure to the hostile underwater world takes its toll on the players, mirroring the psychological turmoil faced by the characters in 'I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream.' The haunting ambiance, combined with the eerie and mysterious atmosphere, heightens the sense of dread and vulnerability.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its powerful storytelling and the ability to evoke deep emotional responses through meaningful characters and universal human experiences, akin to literature.
“The comparison will likely highlight the power of storytelling to evoke emotional responses and convey universal human experiences through different mediums, be it literature or interactive video games.”
“Heartfelt storytelling with deep, meaningful characters.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as simple yet effective, contributing to an enjoyable experience that balances challenge and fun, making it compelling to play through.
“It's simple and short, but it is so much fun and has a solid mix of difficulty and humor that made it hard not to beat.”
“The humor in this game is spot on, making even the toughest challenges feel lighthearted and enjoyable.”
“I found myself laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been criticized for its buggy movement mechanics, which detract from the overall experience.
“Movement was super buggy.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”