Another Crab's Treasure Ending Explained (In Detail)

Summary Another Crab's Treasure surprises with a deeper narrative exploring themes of capitalism and pollution.

The game's ending delivers a bittersweet resolution, highlighting the consequences of Kril's actions.

Through Kril's journey, the game conveys a powerful message on predatory capitalism and environmental impact.

Another Crab's Treasure might not look like a game that would have much of an emphasis on the story at first glance, but by the time it reaches the ending, it proves that its narrative ambitions are greater than might be expected. As an unusual twist on the soulslike genre, Another Crab's Treasure packs intense fights and a healthy dose of platforming into a package that's more charming than most of its peers. Although the framing might seem like it wouldn't dwell in the grim, quiet corners that most soulslike games frequent, the story ends up having some serious weight.

It doesn't take long for Another Crab's Treasure to set up some of the key elements of its story, with a brief introduction talking about the resilience of the Earth's creatures giving way to a scene where a loan shark comes to collect the shell of a hermit crab. This predatory capitalistic behavior and the way it ties into the junk starting to fill up the ocean serve as cornerstones of the narrative, which crops up continually throughout. Eventually, of course, everything comes to a head, and finds its way to a surprisingly bittersweet resolution.

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Another Crab's Treasure's Ending Addresses Pollution

The Trash Littering The Ocean Doesn't Go Away

Another Crab's Treasure climaxes in a confrontation with Firth, a character who isn't an antagonist for the entire game. Although he can provide some help to the protagonist Kril earlier on, his belief in the systems that Kril sees as broken eventually exacerbates a rift. Firth ultimately ends up begging to talk things out with Kril, but Kril is past the point of reconciliation. He calls Firth "selfish" and "greedy" as he prepares for a devastating final blow, which he ultimately delivers from above to the cowering Firth.

Kril's impact breaks apart the compacted trash platform housing them both along with plenty of others drifting in the waters nearby, all of which fall to the ocean floor below. There, the hub city of New Carcinia plays host to the piles of junk that rain down, which Kril gets a first-hand view of after coming to on the sea bed. The once vibrant city ends up coated in drab disrepair, an unfortunate look at the impact of pollution that's a theme throughout the game.

The pollution in Another Crab's Treasure is causing an infection known as the Gunk, which affects the minds of the ocean inhabitants as well as their environments and can pose a direct challenge in encounters like the boss fight with the Consortium.

A number of New Carcinia's inhabitants hang out along the streets here, to whom Kril can optionally talk, but the first unavoidable interaction comes in the form of a friendly salvo from Firth. Kril doesn't get a chance to respond, however. A moment later, a cowboy boot slams down on Firth, presumably spelling his permanent end. Kril takes a moment to ponder what he's done and wonders if Chitan, the lobster knight who inspired him, is still alright.

Kril's Final Conversations In Another Crab's Treasure

Reckoning With The Responsibility Of Bringing Death

The next key conversation happens between Kril and restaurateur Nemma, which sees the two reflecting on the seeming futility of Kril's actions – the trash that's now covering the city is exciting to some of its inhabitants, but both of them accept that this isn't an ideal fate. From the first boss fight with Nephro and beyond, death has followed Kril throughout this adventure, and that's not something that the game treats lightly.

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When all is said and done, judging whether the loss of life actually accomplished much of anything is difficult. Although Kril's more selfish behavior earlier in the game eventually gives way to more sincere intent, the guilt that he feels over slaying his foes is something that never goes away.

Finally, Kril speaks to Prawnathan, the pawn shop owner in possession of Kril's shell that was taken from him at the start of the game. Prawnathan is over the moon about the new influx of trash, which he sees as a great business opportunity. Kril asks to receive his shell back as thanks for the boon that he's inadvertently provided Prawnathan with, but the seller refuses, saying he's now too rich to be concerned with Kril's minor affairs. Kril can then attack and kill Prawnathan, committing one final act of violence to regain the shell that kicked everything off.

Prawnathan dies in one hit, so his death in Another Crab's Treasure is more of a final story note than it is an extra boss fight.

Another Crab's Treasure Concludes In A Solemn Way

A Final Warning Still Offers Some Hope

Close

With that taken care of, Another Crab's Treasure returns to the narration that first appeared in its introduction, amending the earlier statement about the Earth's resilience to acknowledge that it's "not endlessly so." It goes on to acknowledge different approaches to the uncertain future of the world, from Chitan's combative vision to Nemma's focus on helping others in need. Kril is shown as an example of someone who doesn't stick to one path, and all of these methods seem to be framed as potentially valid. What isn't acceptable, according to the voice-over, is complacency.

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The final note that the game leaves things on is that it isn't the major moments of history that matter most, but the "thankless deeds." The last images depict Kril's bandaged shell left behind for an apparently homeless crab, who sleeps in it that night as the camera pulls away before the credits roll.

Another Crab's Treasure doesn't exactly find its way to a cheery ending, which might be a surprise for those too willing to judge a book by its cover. The darker tone definitely makes for a memorable conclusion, however, and the growth that Kril experiences throughout the journey offers a bright spot even as he struggles with the weight of his actions. By the time the credits roll, Another Crab's Treasure has made its stance on predatory capitalism and the endless tide of pollution clear, all in the course of one crustacean's action-packed adventure.