Summary
2024 began giving the impression that it would be the year of survival games, with hits likePalworldandEnshroudedmaking unexpected waves in the gaming industry. Now, further into 2024, it looks like it might be the year of Soulslike games as well, with Aggro Crab’sAnother Crab’s Treasureand Shift Up’sStellar Bladebeing greeted with a warm reception.Another Crab’s Treasuresees Kril the hermit crab setting off on an underwater adventure to reclaim his repossessed shell, andStellar Bladefollows EVE, a superhuman warrior sent to Earth to eliminate an alien threat.
Another Crab’s TreasureandStellar Blademay seem like two entirely different games, but they’re actually more alike than they may seem. Both games implementtraditional elements of the Soulslike genrebut also take their own liberties in combat, exploration, and skills. As it turns out, many of these liberties taken are the same between them.
How Another Crab’s Treasure and Stellar Blade Are Alike
Another Crab’s Treasure and Stellar Blade Emphasize Platforming
Platforming is not a common feature in traditionalSoulslike games, as it typically requires higher mobility and can therefore take a bit of the challenge out of the experience. Despite being descendants of the Soulslike genre, bothAnother Crab’s TreasureandStellar Bladeemphasize platforming.Another Crab’s Treasure’s platforming is arguably more polished thanStellar Blade’s, as it’s very easy to miss ledges and ropes inStellar Blade. However, both games require plenty of platforming throughout their explorable zones.
Another Crab’s Treasure and Stellar Blade Have Similar Combat Mechanics
Combat is one of the mostprominent features of any Soulslike, and that is the case forAnother Crab’s TreasureandStellar Blade. While both games have similar basic attacks for their protagonists, it is in the combat mechanics as a whole that they show their similarities. One particular mechanic, Balance, is a core feature in both games' combat.
InAnother Crab’s Treasure, players can build up an enemy’s Balance meter by repeatedly attacking it. Once it’s full, they can perform a Charged Attack on the enemy to Capsize them, knocking them down for several seconds and rendering them vulnerable to subsequent attacks. InStellar Blade, players can whittle away at an enemy’s Balance by performing perfect parries on their attacks. Once an enemy’s Balance is depleted, players can perform an attack called “Retribution” that deals tremendous damage.
In short, both games use their Balance mechanic to give players the upper hand in battle.
Another Crab’s TreasureandStellar Bladeare comparable also in their special abilities.Another Crab’s Treasurehas special abilities called “Shell Spells” that come equipped on the shells that Kril wears. Each of these spells differs according to the shell, but they can be very powerful. Additionally, Kril can eventually learn Adaptations — potent skills that can turn the tide of battle. InStellar Blade,EVE can use a variety of Beta and Burst skills, which are far more destructive than her normal attacks. These unique skills are just another similarityAnother Crab’s TreasureandStellar Bladeshare with one another.
Another Crab’s Treasure and Stellar Blade Take Fashion Very Seriously
Stellar BladeandAnother Crab’s Treasureare similar in their emphasis on fashion as well. There are dozens ofNano Suits for players to collect inStellar Blade, and even more in its New Game Plus mode. InAnother Crab’s Treasure, players can find various “shells” on the ocean floor that not only protect Kril but also make him look good, andAnother Crab’s TreasureandStellar Bladetake the so-called “Fashion Souls” very seriously.
It’s interesting thatAnother Crab’s TreasureandStellar Bladeshare so much in common, as they are starkly different in so many other ways. Perhaps this is a sign of the Soulslike genre beginning to innovate itself beyond its traditional roots.
Stellar Blade
WHERE TO PLAY
RECLAIM EARTH FOR HUMANKIND The future of humanity hangs in the balance in Stellar Blade, an all-new story-driven action adventure. Ravaged by strange, powerful creatures, Earth has been abandoned, and what is left of the decimated human race has fled to a Colony in outer space. After travelling from the Colony, 7th Airborne Squad member EVE arrives on the desolate remains of our planet with a clear-cut mission: to save humankind by reclaiming Earth from the Naytiba – the malevolent force that has devastated it. But as EVE tackles the Naytiba one-by-one, piecing together the mysteries of the past in the ruins of human civilization, she realizes that her mission is far from straightforward. In fact, almost nothing is as it seems…
