Just Crow Things: An overview of nefarious crow things.

Unbound Creations, known for their playful approach to game design, has ventured into new territory with Just Crow Things, the sequel to their whimsical hit Rain on Your Parade. This time, instead of a storm cloud wreaking havoc, players control a young crow on a mission to assist forest animals while indulging in some cheeky mischief. The game combines charming visuals, humorous scenarios, and a variety of locations to create a delightful experience that both entertains and amuses.

Gameplay and Controls

Navigating a crow is a bit more intricate than guiding a cloud. The controls are optimized for gamepads, allowing players to manage altitude, direction, and flight maneuvers. The crow’s abilities include dropping various “shells” and interacting with objects, adding layers of complexity to the gameplay. Despite these additions, the core elements of Just Crow Things echo those of its predecessor, maintaining a consistent blend of cartoonish humor and engaging interactions.

The game is structured into several distinct zones, each with its own atmosphere and set of tasks. Players will traverse a magical forest, a lakeside camp, a bustling market, a desolate desert, and a haunted mansion. Each area offers unique challenges and activities, ensuring that the gameplay remains fresh and varied.

Mischievous Mechanics

The crow’s repertoire of antics is both creative and entertaining. Unlike the cloud’s abilities in Rain on Your Parade, the crow’s skills revolve around its capacity to create chaos with a range of effects. By consuming different foods, the crow can unleash a variety of disruptive powers, such as fiery excrement, noxious gases, and freezing ice blocks. These abilities add a layer of strategy to the gameplay, as players can choose how to best deploy their powers to cause the most commotion.

Despite the seemingly nefarious nature of the crow’s actions, the consequences are light-hearted and humorous. People react with exaggerated distress, but there are no lasting negative effects—just a playful mess that players can enjoy creating and observing. The visual and audio feedback from these antics enhances the comedic value of the game.

Quest System and Exploration

The quest system in Just Crow Things is designed to be simple and forgiving. Players are encouraged to complete various tasks, such as helping a squirrel find its lost children or disrupting a party that a hedgehog dislikes. These quests are easy to accomplish and provide a steady progression through the game. The open-world design, while not present, allows players to revisit locations and complete any unfinished objectives at their leisure.

The game’s colorful and dynamic environments are filled with references to popular culture and other games. This adds an extra layer of enjoyment for players who appreciate these nods and find delight in spotting familiar elements from other titles.

Visuals and Presentation

Just Crow Things retains the charming, cartoonish aesthetic of Unbound Creations’ previous games. The crow can be customized with various hats and accessories, including a particularly endearing bunny hat. The game’s vibrant visuals and lively animations contribute to its overall appeal, making it a visually pleasing experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Charming Humor: The game’s playful approach and witty scenarios make for an enjoyable experience.
• Customizable Crow: Players can outfit their crow with various hats and items, including amusing options like a gas burner.
• Varied Locations: Each zone offers unique activities and mechanics, keeping the gameplay engaging.
• Cultural References: The game includes numerous references to other games and pop culture, adding an extra layer of fun.
• Replayability: The ability to revisit and explore each location further enhances the game’s longevity.

Cons:

• Simplistic Quests: The quests are straightforward and lack complexity, which might not appeal to players seeking deeper challenges.
• Limited Consequences: While the humorous consequences of the crow’s actions are entertaining, they may not provide enough depth for players looking for more substantial gameplay.

Overall, Just Crow Things is a delightful continuation of Unbound Creations’ tradition of mischievous, humorous games. Its charming visuals, engaging mechanics, and playful approach to chaos make it a fun and entertaining experience, even if it lacks the depth of more complex titles.