Summary
Rather than try to shy away from it or hide it,Another Crab’s Treasureembraces the vast array of Soulslike games that have come before it, and chooses to celebrate them wherever it can. Being such a pioneer of the genre, and a continued force of evolution for it, it’s impossible for Soulslike games not to be inspired by FromSoftware in one way or another, andAnother Crab’s Treasureunashamedly wears those inspirations on its sleeve.
There are a ton of references to FromSoftware’s lengthy back catalog inAnother Crab’s Treasure, some of which are much more overt than others. From a wearableKnight Solaire-inspired outfit, to naming one of its main areas the “Sands Between,“Another Crab’s Treasurepays homage to FromSoftware throughout, but some influences go deeper than mere Easter eggs. There are some boss fights inAnother Crab’s Treasurethat have seemingly been heavily inspired by some iconic FromSoftware boss fights, and that certainly seems to be the case with Nephro, the game’s very first story boss.
Comparing Another Crab’s Treasure’s Nephro Fight to Sekiro’s Gyoubu
Nephro’s Boss Arena Bears a Striking Resemblance to Gyoubu’s
The first main, non-optionalstory boss inAnother Crab’s Treasure, Nephro, Captain of the Guard, is a crazed lobster that has all the same mannerisms as a knight riding a horse into battle, complete with a lance made from a frappé lid and straw. Though his appearance isn’t really comparable, Nephro does share quite a few similarities withSekiro’s Gyoubu Oniwa boss, including his introduction.
After equipping a shell for the first time, players will enter a cutscene in which Nephro charges into the battlefield, screaming all the while about the player supposedly breaking the law.Sekirofans will likely get a familiar feeling here, withGyoubu Oniwaentering his own fight in a very similar way, charging at the player on horseback while screaming at them, and threatening them with death.
There are many wholly original bosses inAnother Crab’s Treasureas well, making this feel like a fun homage rather than an odd carbon copy of a beloved FromSoftware boss fight.
The two bosses also share a very similarly designed arena, withboth Nephro and Gyoubucharging around a battlefield littered with various traps and barricades, some of which are adorned with the bodies of those they have previously slain. Of course, the general look and vibe of these two boss arenas are very different thanks to the drastically different art style of each game, but the scenery does bear an intriguing resemblance.
Nephro’s Moveset Is Also Similar to Gyoubu’s
As the veryfirst story boss inAnother Crab’s Treasure, Nephro’s moveset is extremely basic, designed to continue easing players into the general rhythm of combat. That being said, there are several moves that will feel familiar toSekirofans, with similar ones being used by that game’s own first story boss. For instance, Nephro will repeatedly charge at the player and continue to trot around them, taking swipes with his polearm as he passes by, which is very similar to Gyoubu’s tactics inSekiro. Both bosses also require a similar tactic to defeat them, with the most efficient method being to keep close, block any oncoming attacks, and strike back quickly.
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.
