REVIEW: ‘Fight Crab 2’ Embraces Absurdity With Open Claws (PC)

Simplicity often takes a backseat to complexity in the landscape of combat games, but Fight Crab 2 gleefully bucks that trend. Launching into early access on PC through Steam, this fighter offers a straightforward objective: flip your opponent onto their back for three seconds. The twist is that you and your opponent are on top of a giant crustacean. It’s a premise that’s brilliantly simple and thoroughly entertaining, complemented by various game modes that add chaos to the mix.

For newcomers, the initial bewilderment of giant crabs wielding unconventional weapons may be off-putting. However, developer Calappa Games, in collaboration with publisher PLAYISM, has crafted a delightful surprise with this title. The combat mechanics of Fight Crab 2 are refreshingly straightforward, ditching complex button combinations for intuitive controls that even a button-mashing novice can enjoy. Matches are fast-paced, ensuring that victory or defeat doesn’t linger. The speed alleviates pressure and makes every bout feel like a joyous romp through crustacean combat.

The game features a wide variety of modes, including traditional 1v1 and team matches, survival challenges, objective-based defense missions, and even modes where crabs pilot vehicles. These modes can be enjoyed solo against AI opponents or in online matches. While participating in ranked matches proved enjoyable and highlighted varying levels of player skill, the most enjoyable experience came from diving into the career mode.

The career mode, reminiscent of Fight Night or UFC games adds depth to Fight Crab 2‘s arcade-like experience. As players navigate through matches, their crab gains levels, unlocks abilities, and acquires new weapons. The ephemeral nature of the weapons encourages experimentation rather than min-maxing, contributing to the game’s whimsical charm. While in the career mode, players can explore a diverse range of game modes, striving to build the most formidable crab. This serves as an excellent avenue to fully experience the game’s various modes, abilities, weapons, and strategies before venturing into the competitive arena of online ranked mode.

Visually, Fight Crab 2 embraces its absurd premise with gusto. From toy train sets to vegetable gardens to dunes, the diverse range of maps adds to the game’s delightful chaos. Just when you think you have seen all the game has to offer in terms of its locations, it throws another wacky weapon or absurd location to keep players engaged.  While the graphics may not be groundbreaking, they suit the game perfectly. Players are immersed in its zany world. There is something satisfying about watching yourself as a knight, riding a crab, wielding a lightsaber, as a train full of spectators circles you that you can throw your opponent in front of.

Delving deeper into Fight Crab 2, it becomes evident that there is an element of strategy. However, more often than not, I found myself resorting to mashing my mouse and keyboard until my opponent was on their back. Simple and satisfying, at least on the normal difficulty. Stepping up to hard difficulty provided a more formidable challenge and required a little more patience. The highest difficulty setting, crabby, highlighted the considerable skill ceiling the game offers. Personally, playing on normal provided the enjoyable and low-pressure experience I sought without feeling the need to grind for improvement.

It feels like there is a certain niche for this eccentric fighter, and if you are it, you are it. However, Fight Crab 2‘s simplicity can also be its Achilles’ heel in terms of replayability. While enjoyable in short bursts or as a background diversion, the lack of depth may deter prolonged engagement from all but the most dedicated fans of chaotic fighters. For the hardcore fighter gamer, the game’s charm may wear thin after a while, making it more suitable for intermittent play rather than extended gaming sessions.

In all, Fight Crab 2 is undeniably a blast, offering an exhilarating experience that embraces its absurdity with open claws. Its simplicity and chaotic charm make it a great addition to your gaming repertoire, particularly for those seeking a light-hearted and amusing diversion. Its straightforward gameplay and whimsical premise make for an enjoyable experience, albeit one that may lack long-term staying power for all but the most dedicated crustacean combatants. Whether you’re a seasoned fighter fan or just looking for some lighthearted fun, Fight Crab 2 delivers on its promise of shellfish shenanigans in spades.

Fight Crab 2 is available now on Steam for PC.