Those Who Crawl

About

Those Who Crawl is a single player simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by Hush Fin Games and was released on December 26, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

As you progressed through the cave tunnels, they slowly tightened until you could not even stand. Now, as you crawl, you wonder if you are not alone in the darkness. Those Who Crawl is a short but tense horror game about crawling and climbing through tunnels. Each hand is controlled individually with a unique crawling and climbing system. Use the mouse buttons or Q / E to move around, and Hold s…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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76%

Audience ScoreBased on 99 reviews

gameplay11 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features a unique crawling mechanic that enhances immersion and adds to the horror experience.
It has a tense atmosphere with effective sound design that contributes to the overall creepiness.
As a free game, it offers a short but interesting horror experience that can be completed in about an hour.

The controls can be clunky and frustrating, making navigation tedious at times.
The game suffers from repetitiveness and can feel drawn out, especially in the latter segments.
Some players experienced bugs and issues with game mechanics, such as knives breaking and causing progression problems.

gameplay
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
67%
7%
The gameplay is characterized by a unique crawling mechanic that offers a refreshing alternative to traditional controls, though it can feel tedious and clunky at times. While the simple graphics and mechanics are enjoyable, some players find the game overly long and frustrating due to buggy controls and a lack of variety in gameplay. Overall, it presents an interesting horror experience with potential for improvement in its movement system.
- “The gameplay loop consists of crawling and climbing through narrow passages while avoiding giant spider-like creatures as you attempt to find the items you need to progress through the maze-like and claustrophobic cave system the game takes place in.”
- “It's an atmospheric horror game that really impressed me with its unique player movement and crawling mechanics.”
- “I enjoyed this game a lot, it was a short little horror experience with a really intuitive crawling mechanic.”
- “The unfortunate thing is that it is held back by a janky, unreliable, and unruly game mechanic of crawling.”
- “Buggy controls, got blocked in because knives broke, now save points, and I'm not wasting another 15 minutes on frustrating buggy crawl mechanics to get back there.”
- “And because of that, there were times where it made the gameplay feel a bit tedious, which kind of dragged me out of any immersion in the game's atmosphere.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The graphics of the game are characterized by low-quality, low-poly 3D visuals reminiscent of PS1-era aesthetics, which may not appeal to all players. While some find the simple graphics enjoyable, others feel that the lack of high-quality visuals detracts from the overall gaming experience. The game's unique aesthetic, however, does contribute to its atmospheric qualities, particularly for those who appreciate a horror vibe without reliance on jumpscares.
- “Gaming is a visual medium, and while some developers struggle with creating high-quality visuals, failing to do so is a disservice to gamers.”
- “The visuals are interesting but more ambient sounds would have made the game way more atmospheric.”
- “It doesn't rely on jumpscares and has a trapped kind of aesthetic to it.”
- “In terms of visuals, this features fairly low quality low poly 3D graphics which will deter a lot of gamers, understandably.”
- “Gaming is a visual medium, and while some developers struggle with creating high quality visuals, failing to do so is a disservice to gamers.”
- “Lower graphics in a sort of PS1 style; typically those kinds of games aren't for me.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
9%
27%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its tense and creepy qualities, effectively creating a sense of unease and immersion. While some players noted that the reliance on jumpscares can detract from the overall experience, many appreciated the unique mechanics and ambient elements that enhance the horror atmosphere. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's impact.
- “It has a great horror atmosphere that keeps you on edge the whole time, or at least it did for me.”
- “And because of that, there were times where it made the gameplay feel a bit tedious, which kind of dragged me out of any immersion in the game's atmosphere.”
- “The game's mood and atmosphere is delectably creepy, without relying on jumpscares.”
- “The atmosphere was top-notch and really added to the horror experience.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The game's story is described as abstract and vague, leaving much to the player's imagination, which some find intriguing while others feel it lacks clarity. Despite its disjointed nature, players express a desire to uncover more about the narrative as they progress, appreciating the unique style and potential for deeper storytelling in future titles. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some enjoying the mystery and others wishing for a more coherent plot.
- “A story that'll keep you guessing until the end.”
- “The game has an excellent story, and the style is really cool.”
- “The story is quite vague and the monsters were okay.”
- “The game's story is very abstract and esoteric, leaving a lot of it entirely up to the imagination, but even though it's a bit disjointed, I still found myself wanting to progress so I can gain a bit more insight as to who we are and what brings us here.”
- “I would love to see more ideas like this from the developer in the future, and hopefully something someday with more to sink my teeth into in terms of story and visual design.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be initially engaging but quickly devolving into a tedious experience, often feeling like a chore that detracts from immersion. While the unique mechanics and interesting concept are praised, many reviewers suggest that the repetitive nature of grinding can hinder overall enjoyment. Despite these criticisms, some still recommend the game for its creative elements.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Starts off interesting and neat but quickly becomes tedious and a chore to navigate around the tunnels.”
- “Interesting concept but I found it too tedious to complete.”
- “And because of that, there were times where it made the gameplay feel a bit tedious, which kind of dragged me out of any immersion in the game's atmosphere.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's movement system is praised for its uniqueness, but players report significant stability issues, including buggy controls and frustrating mechanics that can lead to being stuck or losing progress. Overall, while the concept is appreciated, the execution suffers from notable bugs that detract from the experience.
- “Buggy controls; I got blocked in because knives broke, and now there are no save points. I'm not wasting another 15 minutes on frustrating, buggy crawl mechanics to get back there.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky protagonist, a humorous moth character, and a blend of comedic elements within a horror setting. Players appreciate the lighthearted approach, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the short, free-to-play experience.
- “You play as a funny moth guy, and the game is great because it's crawling; I like it.”
- “Good and short free-to-play 'funny' horror game.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while it effectively immerses players in a struggle that evokes a sense of physical effort, some users feel that the experience can lead to frustration and a sense of wasted time.
- “It was immersive and made me feel like I was actually struggling to crawl forward with my own hands at some points.”