Like in any fantasy game, there are always questions about how characters gain their specific skills or unique superpowers. InAnother Crab’s Treasure, the answer is no different: it comes from a different life force. Of course, the explanation can’t be simplified to just that and, for Kril, the hermit crab protagonist, learningnew abilities inAnother Crab’s Treasuredoesn’t come that easy either.
Aggro Crab’s studio head/art director Nick Kaman, along with creative director and narrative lead Caelan Pollock, recently spoke with Game Rant about all thingsAnother Crab’s Treasure. In short, they talked about how Umami is a magical life force that allows Kril to use “adaptations” taken from defeated foes to increase his power. As a life force, Umami isn’t just a mechanical explanation but a lore one, ensuring that what it represents is at least two-fold.
The Real Translation of “Umami”
The word “umami” may sound familiar to any foodies or seafood lovers. It is derived from Japanese and means something delicious or savory in taste, typically being used to describe meat. This word is utilized as one of the five basic tastes. But in theunderwater society ofAnother Crab’s Treasure, it’s not exactly related to food or a meal. Instead, it relates more to the magic powers and spells, or “adaptations,” that are received. Kaman explained it as an “evolutionary adaptation,” because as Kril defeats other monsters and sea creatures, he is absorbing their abilities. Umami allows Kril to absorb his defeated foes' skills, as Kaman explained,
You might get the mantis shrimp’s mighty punch as an ability or an electric eel’s electricity, stuff like that. The “Umami” that we’ve been talking about is this life force of all the creatures in the ocean, taken from the Japanese word for a savory flavor found in many seafood dishes.
There’s this life force that intertwines all these creatures and will even allow you to do something as magical as using their powers in your own right.
Not only can Kril take advantage of these, but the contaminated trash that floats in the ocean gets reused by Kril, and other characters, as a means of offense/defense. These manifest asShell Spells, which recall past functions of trashed items. This, too, is made possible by Umami.
Everyone is Connected to Umami in Another Crab’s Treasure
Umami, as a life force, is described very similarly to The Force inStar Wars.Jedi and the Sithgain their abilities from the Force, which connects all living beings as well, and Umami does the same thing inAnother Crab’s Treasure. Another way this manifests is via Skill Trees.
Way of the Predator is often skills using your melee weapon or your grappling hook to harm enemies. Way of the Hermit has a lot to do with not just using shells but swapping between shells often. Way of the True Crab is sort of built-in natural defenses. They all have their connections to Umami, in their own ways.
Kaman and Pollock also said they’re not really discrete paths, and players are not expected to complete the whole skill tree before the end of the game. But unlocking these adaptations and learning from nature, Kril gets stronger and creates a smoother aquatic journey as he seeks. There will be a variety of techniques, including “Royal Wave,” which lets Kril unleash a Dungeness Crab’s claw attack to wipe out multiple enemies over a wide range.
While on the surfaceAnother Crab’s Treasureis about a hermit crab looking for his lost shell, the Aggro Crab developers make this take on the Soulslike genre more compelling because of its extra layers in the life force of the Umami, its overarching lesson, and soulslike design. It remains to be seen, but bringing its humor and own mechanics to the genre could open more doors for things between the cutesyAnother Crab’s Treasure,the works of FromSoftware, andthe grimdarkLies of P.
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.
