The visionary behind Another Crab’s Treasure has voiced concerns regarding how the industry’s obsession with Dark Souls is stifling innovation. He argues that the modern gaming market is increasingly saturated with FromSoftware-inspired projects, a trend that is gradually becoming a systemic issue.
Caelan Pollock, creative director at Aggro Crab, believes that the ubiquity of the “soulslike” label traps developers in a cycle of endlessly mimicking the design choices of the original Dark Souls. He emphasizes that the “definitive experience of this genre” was established long ago, suggesting that attempting to replicate it down to the smallest detail is a redundant exercise.
According to Pollock, the original’s brilliance was rooted in its profound imperfections, which allowed it to resonate deeply with players and reshape the industry. When other studios mechanically transplant elements such as stamina management or “corpse run” mechanics, the result is often a sterile product lacking a distinct identity. Rather than evolving the genre, developers frequently cling to the formal checkpoints of what defines a “souls” game.
Another Crab’s Treasure serves as a deliberate departure from this feedback loop. The project moves away from traditional dark fantasy to tell the story of a crab navigating a polluted ocean, utilizing plastic debris as armor—a direct commentary on the climate crisis. The developers state they intentionally took this creative risk, betting that the gaming community is ready for a fresh, subversive take on a familiar formula.
Source: iXBT.games