Super Crate Box is a 2D arcade game created by Vlambeer and initially released on Windows (PC) in 2010. In 2019 it would make its way to the Nintendo Switch. Super Crate Box was met with positive reception by players and many members of the gaming press.
Super Crate Box is a frantic game where enemies continually fall from above, moving quickly to the bottom of the screen. If the player fails to kill the enemies before they reach the bottom of the screen, the enemies will fall again from the top. Except now they are red, faster and much more difficult to avoid/shoot. Crates filled with various weapons will spawn in the game world to help deal with the endless wave of enemies. Each time the player touches a crate they will be equipped with a new random weapon, and the score will update. The goal is to keep grabbing crates (and swapping guns) to earn the highest score possible.
What makes Super Crate Box so spectacular is in the simplicity and thoughtfulness of the game loop itself. Enemies and crates are endless. Just keep picking up crates, killing enemies and trying to beat your high score. But that is where the beauty of the gameplay lies. Each crate will force the player to equip a new weapon (not of their choosing), requiring a new approach to staying alive. Players might intentionally avoid a crate and clear the screen of enemies, because they have no idea which gun they will get next. In certain situations the crate actually becomes another obstacle in the level because of the unknown contents. A wonderfully simple risk/reward design that makes each death feel like the player’s fault (which technically it is).
The guns of Super Crate Box are another aspect of this game that make it special. The flamethrower is an absolute blast, laying waste to enemies at a high clip. The bazooka and machine gun are also quite nasty. Even the pistol feels really good. Large bullets and plenty of screen shake make shooting incredibly satisfying. Using the guns effectively does require some trial and error though (looking at you disc gun). Each weapon has its fair share of knockback while firing, so you must be careful when and where you pull the trigger.
Super Crate Box is one of the best examples of effective small game design in recent memory. The game loop is simple, but the design is superb. The guns are explosive, engaging and lend themselves to the overall gameplay nicely. Super Crate Box understands its arcade nature and delivers a fun, rewarding game experience in a small package. We guarantee you will have trouble putting the controller down…no matter how many times you die.
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