Crashlands

Lore & Background

Crashlands follows Flux Dabes and her robotic partner JuiceBox, who are on an intergalactic delivery for the Bureau of Shipping. They are stopped by an alien named Hewgodooko, who seeks a 'Quantum Electrodongle' installed on their ship. After Hewgodooko destroys the ship, Flux and JuiceBox escape in a pod and crash-land in The Savanna of the planet Woanope. JuiceBox suggests Flux build an advanced Comm Device to contact the Bureau of Shipping for help.

Gameplay is similar in style to Don't Starve, with an open world where the player collects resources to craft weapons, armor, and bases. Unlike its inspiration, the character does not require sustenance, and combat is integral. Mild role-playing elements affect survivability, with armor and weapons providing status effects and attack/defense increases. The game is more narrative-focused than its peers, offering side quests that advance the story or provide rewards.

Development began after Sam Coster, a developer at Butterscotch Shenanigans, was diagnosed with stage 4b lymphoma. The studio, previously known for smaller titles, used the opportunity to create a more ambitious project.

Reader's Guide

Crashlands holds a distinct place in the adventure game landscape of the 2010s as a mobile-first title that successfully blended crafting, survival, and narrative. Its mobile version received a Metacritic score of 93 out of 100, while the PC version scored 78 out of 100. PC Gamer awarded it 73%, noting 'Fun combat, great writing, and a great look, but with pacing and progression tuned for a mobile experience, not the PC.' This critique highlights the game's origin as a mobile-focused design that carried over to other platforms. The game was nominated for 'Mobile Game of the Year' at the 20th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, reflecting its recognition within the industry. Its development story—born from a personal health crisis—added a layer of context to its creation, though the game itself stands on its gameplay and narrative merits. A sequel, Crashlands 2, was announced in June 2023 and released on April 10, 2025.

Did You Know?

• The game was developed after Sam Coster was diagnosed with stage 4b lymphoma.
• The player character is named Flux Dabes and has a robotic partner named JuiceBox.
• The game's antagonist, Hewgodooko, destroys the player's ship while searching for a 'Quantum Electrodongle'.