Game: Just Crow Things
Genre: Action, Adventure, Puzzle, Simulation
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows), PS4&5 and Xbox)
Developer | Publisher: Unbound Creations
Age Rating: EU 7+ | US Everyone 10+
Price: US $19.99 | UK £16.99 | EU €19,99
Release Date: August 14th 2024
A review code was provided, and many thanks to Unbound Creations.
Just Crow Things: Silly, Uplifting Fun
Just Crow Things is a whimsical game where you step into the feathers of a mischievous crow, exploring expansive levels filled with opportunities for chaos and fun. Developed by Unbound Creations, the same team behind Rain On Your Parade, a game where you play as a mischievous cloud, solving puzzles. Just Crow Things carries forward the same lighthearted, positive energy. If you’re looking for a game that will put a huge smile on your face, this is definitely one to keep on your radar this summer.
A Day in the Life of a Crow
The plot of Just Crow Things is as simple as it is charming. You play as a humble crow who starts the game flying about with a snazzy new pair of sunglasses. However, your coolness is challenged when three mean crows swoop in, steal your shades, and declare you “not cool enough to be a crow.” Determined to prove your worth, you embark on a journey around the world, helping out NPCs and, of course, causing plenty of crow-style mischief along the way.
While the storyline is minimal, the game is packed with memorable charm. The colourful 3D presentation will undoubtedly appeal to young gamers and the young at heart. Throughout your adventure, you’ll encounter a host of quirky animals, from a social media-obsessed peacock to a chaos-loving hedgehog and a magpie who thinks they’re superior to crows. Even the main crow protagonist is instantly likeable despite never uttering a word of dialogue. Instead, you can customize the pitch of their crow calls and dress them up in various unlockable cosmetics. Seasoned gamers will also appreciate the subtle references to various game franchises hidden throughout the game.
Smooth Controls, Endless Mischief
The controls in Just Crow Things are intuitive and easy to grasp, making the game accessible to players of all skill levels. The game starts with a simple, active tutorial that teaches you the basics: flying, picking up and using items, and even pooping on unsuspecting NPCs. For those who need a gentle reminder, control prompts can be left on the bottom right of the screen.
Flying, which you’ll do most of the time, feels smooth and responsive, allowing you to dash around levels quickly. The freedom of movement combined with the crow’s ability to interact with the environment in playful ways creates a delightful sense of mischief that’s hard to resist.
Building Your Crowputation
The game features 10 large, diverse levels where your primary goal is to complete a variety of tasks to build up your “crowputation.” This is primarily done by completing missions for NPCs. When exploring a level, a clear yellow ring indicates a new mission, and once activated, the mission objectives appear as a checklist on the left side of the screen. Should you need a little help getting started, you can pull up a map to get a lay of the land.
The missions are delightfully varied. Some are simple fetch quests, like transporting items to specific locations, while others involve solving basic but unique puzzles, such as figuring out how to break ice cubes in space, taking photos of suspicious objects, or scaring someone out of a mansion. Then there are the missions where you just cause chaos, usually involving the crow’s notorious ability to poop on things. These moments are sure to elicit a few laughs, especially from younger players or those with a playful sense of humour.
In addition to these missions, you can accumulate crowputation by completing short-time trial races, which involve flying through rings and sometimes targeting specific objects for a well-placed poop. While time trials aren’t everyone’s favourite, the game allows you to adjust their difficulty, making them more accessible for those who might not enjoy the pressure of a race against the clock.
To progress to the next level, you only need to accumulate 100 crowputation points. However, I often found myself exploring every nook and cranny of each level, driven by the sheer enjoyment of the experience. One of the game’s biggest strengths is the variety in level design. You’ll start in a quaint town but soon find yourself exploring an ancient Egypt-like setting, the moon, and even a level that pays homage to the developer’s previous work (which I won’t spoil here).
Two standout levels include a fantasy world where you must choose between two warring factions, leading to three possible endings for the scenario, and an expansive level with islands to fly between, which feels like the most vast and immersive setting in the game. I could have spent an entire game on that level alone.
A Few Crow-blems
No game is without its flaws, and Just Crow Things is no exception. For me, the main issues came in the form of minor glitches. Occasionally, I encountered missions that couldn’t be completed because an NPC fell out of bounds or an essential item disappeared. While these glitches were annoying, they were easily fixed by reloading the level later. Interestingly, the developers seem to be aware of these quirks, even making a running joke about bugs in the game. Performance is generally OK for the game, but I noticed in handheld, the game would sometimes slow down when things got a bit too busy.
Content
The game features 10 uniquely crafted levels, each designed to be completed at your own pace. Taking my time, I finished the game in under five hours, yet I never felt bored or eager to move on. Every moment was a joy to play. The incentive to replay levels lies in discovering hidden cosmetics and completing every mission. After finishing Just Crow Things, you can revisit levels in sandbox mode, where you can spawn items and create your own mischief. While I didn’t feel a strong urge to engage in this mode, I can see it being a lot of fun for creative players.
Conclusion: Crowtacular Fun
Just Crow Things is another fantastic effort from Unbound Creations. The controls are easy to pick up, making the game accessible to all ages, and the overall experience is a sheer joy to play. Whether you’re soaring through the sky or causing crow-style chaos, the game keeps you entertained from start to finish. It’s worth noting that the casual nature of the gameplay might not appeal to everyone, particularly those looking for a more challenging experience. However, this is a game designed to be fun, to make you laugh, and maybe even to share that experience with a loved one.
I’m incredibly happy with the time I spent playing Just Crow Things, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted, uplifting game.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
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