Another Crab’s Treasure: A Noteworthy Game Snubbed by TGA 2024

Each year, the snubs at The Game Awards spark quite the conversation among gamers. In fact, there could almost be a dedicated category: “Biggest Snub of the Year at The Game Awards.” Take this year, for instance—fans were abuzz when Silent Hill 2’s remake didn’t make it to the Game of the Year nominations. Many argue that Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC might have nabbed its spot. While no one’s questioning the caliber of Shadow of the Erdtree, discussions about the inclusion of remakes, remasters, DLCs, and other expansions at the awards linger on. Other notable omissions include EA Sports College Football 25 being left out in the Sports category and Palworld struggling to secure nominations at all. This debate will likely persist into TGA 2024, but what really caught me off guard was the absence of Another Crab’s Treasure from the nominations.

Surprisingly, Another Crab’s Treasure didn’t receive any recognition despite standing out in several key categories. It’s not just a top-tier indie release of 2024; it’s also an outstanding entry in the Soulslike genre. Every criterion that defines the genre has been met with a creative twist. The combat is challenging yet enjoyable, the world is as dark as it is vibrant, and the bosses draw you in as much as they intimidate you. The storytelling through the environment rivals those found in FromSoftware’s offerings. Its charming graphics cleverly mask a deep, engaging narrative framed around an ecological catastrophe. It undoubtedly deserved nods in multiple categories, making its complete exclusion feel like a real gut-punch.

On the brighter side, Another Crab’s Treasure was recognized at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, where it took home the best indie game accolade. This win was well-earned. When you look at the numbers, the exclusion seems puzzling. The game Black Myth: Wukong, with an overall Metascore of 81, was among the lowest-rated titles in the Game of the Year contenders, whereas Another Crab’s Treasure was close behind with a 78, a score based on 33 critic reviews, with a 70% positivity rate. Additionally, on OpenCritic, it holds a “Strong” rating, with 81% of critics recommending the game. From the players’ perspective, the game boasts a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with recent reviews trending towards “Overwhelmingly Positive.”

In a year bursting with fantastic indie titles, it seems logical that Another Crab’s Treasure would at least get the nod for the best indie title; a win might have been a stretch, given the tough competition, but a nomination seemed a given. The game’s approach to accessibility is another strong point, and its playful feature where a crab is armed with a gun, dispatching formidable foes, showcases a lighthearted take on making the genre more approachable.

Another Crab’s Treasure could also have been a fit for the Games for Impact category. Through its environmental storytelling, it touches on relevant global issues such as the housing crisis and the will to persevere in apocalyptic settings. This thematic depth indeed warranted nominations in Best Narrative and possibly even in Best Art Direction.

While I can’t assert that it warranted every possible category, its total disregard by the nominations left many of us scratching our heads. The rough-and-tumble journey of Kril, whose shell was repossessed, is a story that deserved acknowledgment. It’s been a rough ride for Kril—not that there are many smooth days on his journey.

Release details mention Another Crab’s Treasure came out on April 25, 2024, developed and published by Aggro Crab, with a solid reception. Users on platforms like OpenCritic have rated it highly, affirming its high quality. Yet, in spite of its critical success, the awards stage still seems out of reach—for now.