Crawl

Release Date: April 11, 2017

RPG, hack'and'slash, roguelike, dungeon crawler, indie games, action RPG, splitscreen, Game Pass, EA Play, asymmetrical multiplayer, multiplayer

7.9

OpenCritic

95%

Steam

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A roguelike hack'n'slash game featuring pixel-art visuals. Crawl was designed specifically for local multiplayer and developed by the debuting team at Powerhoof. In the game, heroes exploring dungeons encounter monsters defending the place against undesired visitors. Up to four players can meet in a session - one of them assumes the role of the hero traversing dungeons filled with threats.

Crawl for PC, SWITCH and etc. is a hilarious hack'n'slash game designed specifically for LAN multiplayer competition and offering pixel-art visuals. In the game, heros traversing dangerous dungeons encounter monsters defending those places against undesired visitors. This is the debut of Powerhoof - an independent Australian team.

Mechanics

Up to four players can meet in a single session. One of them assumes the role of a hero trying to make his way through dungeons filled with different traps and bloodthirsty monsters. The remaining players are in control of monsters and traps - their task is to kill the hero. In case the hero dies, the player who killed them becomes the hero, beginning their journey in the place the predecessor died.

In terms of the mechanics, Crawl for PC, SWITCH and etc. resembles classic hack'n'slash games rewarding the player with skill improvements as they gain experience and level up. Obviously, the game features also different kinds of armor and weaponry, randomly placed in different corners of the dungeon. Interestingly, when another player takes over the role of the hero, they keep both the items and experience gathered by the predecessor. The goal of the hero is to reach level 10, when they traverse through a mysterious portal and the final boss fight begins.

Apart from presenting the players with characteristic, old-school visuals, Crawl for PC, SWITCH and etc. makes references to the classics of the genre also by making use of elements borrowed from typical roguelikes. The dungeons the players explore are randomly shaped, as well as all the weapons, items and monsters they encounter are randomly distributed. Through applying such mechanics, uniqueness of each and evey playthrough was ensured. One round takes about half an hour, thus Crawl is a perfect game for spontaneous, multiplayer experience enjoyed among friends sitting at one computer.

Last updated on May 23, 2016

Videos and Screens

7.9

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 79% of Critics. There are 21 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Nintendo Life: 9 / 10 by Dom Reseigh-Lincoln

As you might have guessed, we really like Crawl, and we'd bet our collected stash of gold and wrath you will, too. It's great fun in single-player thanks to some aggressive AI that will hound you at every moment, but that consistent danger takes on a new lease of enjoyment when you and three of your friends are jostling for XP and that all important killing blow. Couchplay doesn't get much better than this on Switch.

Full Review

Nintendo Insider: 7 / 10 by Daniel Lipscombe

There’s no doubting the enjoyment that’s possible in Crawl. I would love to have seen a proper story mode that allows the unlocking of items, etc, because the universe the devs have created is intriguing. There’s a lot here to love, but a lot that can lower the experience. It doesn’t have the draw of an Isaac or Gungeon and it won’t beat out ARMS or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe when you have friends round, but it’s worthy of time because it does so many things differently.

Full Review

VGProfessional: 8.2 / 10 by Nazih Fares

Australian based studio Powerhoof first game is a great success, even if Crawl lacks online multiplayer and a limited end-game challenge. It's still a great and easy pick to play with friends locally as a party game, or even casually against bots that are smart and will give you a decent challenge.

Full Review

95%