Crashlands is an action RPG adventure game centered on crafting, exploration, and story progression. Players take on the role of Flux Dabes, a galactic trucker stranded on the alien planet Woanope after an encounter with the antagonist Hewgodooko. The experience combines resource gathering, recipe learning from local life forms, base construction, creature taming, and combat against bosses and other threats while pursuing the main objective of package retrieval amid a larger plot of planetary domination.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around exploration of a large world divided into three continents and populated by four sentient races. Players gather materials to unlock and craft more than 500 items, which directly fuel character progression through increasingly powerful equipment. Inventory management stays out of the way thanks to an infinite, self-organizing system that automatically retrieves tools as needed. Combat emphasizes timing and positioning against enemy attack patterns, with crafted gadgets providing effects such as fire, stun, or time slowdown to gain advantages. Base building uses a simple placement system that allows quick creation of functional and decorative structures without complex menus. Every creature encountered can be tamed by finding and incubating eggs, after which the resulting companion fights alongside the player and can be further upgraded with crafted items. Side activities include meeting characters, following individual story threads, and uncovering secrets scattered throughout the environment.
Game Modes
The game operates primarily as a single-player adventure that advances through the main narrative and optional side quests. A local co-op option allows a second player to join as Juicebox, who uses a specialized tool called S.T.R.A.W. to harvest resources and contribute additional damage in fights while facing the same enemy threats. Progress carries over between sessions, and the same save works across PC and mobile versions through cloud synchronization, letting players continue without interruption when switching devices.
Story and World
The narrative places the player in the middle of an escalating conflict on Woanope involving multiple factions and an overarching scheme of world domination. Hundreds of quests provide opportunities to engage with side stories or focus strictly on delivery objectives. The setting features varied regions that open as player power increases through better gear, introducing new enemies, characters, and environmental challenges. Ancient secrets and boss encounters punctuate the journey, rewarding thorough exploration with additional context and rewards.
Is It Worth Playing?
Crashlands suits players who enjoy crafting-focused RPGs that emphasize steady progression through item creation rather than traditional leveling systems. The combination of skill-based combat, creature companions, and straightforward base building creates a self-contained loop that rewards time spent gathering and experimenting. Recognition as one of TIME Magazine's top 10 games of 2016 and praise for its blend of humor and mechanical depth indicate strong appeal for those seeking a complete, self-managed adventure without ongoing seasonal content or multiplayer servers. The cross-platform save feature adds convenience for extended play sessions across devices. Those who prefer pure action without crafting or story elements may find the pace slower than expected, while fans of the described systems will find a cohesive package that maintains focus on thriving after the initial crash landing.
