What is the main objective in Crabmeat?

The main objective in Crabmeat is to harvest 500kg of Southern King Crab within seven days to pay off a debt to the Feudostate.

What kind of game is Crabmeat?

Crabmeat is described as a short first-person point & click survival horror game with elements of fishing simulation.

How do you catch crabs in Crabmeat?

To catch crabs, you must navigate to green-circled areas on the map, bait crab pots, drop them into the water with a crane, wait for them to fill, then retrieve them using a harpoon gun and winch.

Are there enemies in Crabmeat?

Yes, players will encounter aggressive creatures like Paralomis and Brachyura crabs that will attack the ship and the player directly. Smaller crabs can also infiltrate the vessel.

How do you defend yourself and the ship?

You can defend yourself and the ship from attacking crabs using an axe. You must also perform repairs on the boat if it gets damaged.

What are the controls like in Crabmeat?

Crabmeat features an experimental blend of first-person and point-and-click gameplay, where the entire game is playable with only a mouse. Movement can feel purposefully clunky at first.

Main Content

Introduction to Crabmeat

"Crabmeat" is a short first-person point & click survival horror game released on March 10, 2026. In this atmospheric thriller, players take on the role of an indebted prisoner tasked with harvesting a quota of 500kg of priceless Southern King Crab within seven days in the treacherous Antarctic waters. Failure to meet this quota risks permanent expatriation for you and your family, with a deadly substance injected into you to ensure compliance. The game blends first-person exploration with point-and-click mechanics, offering a unique and often clunky control scheme that requires adaptation.

Mastering the Crabbing Loop

The core gameplay loop revolves around efficient crabbing to meet your demanding quota. This involves several key steps:

Navigate to Crab-Rich Areas: Use your ship's computer to identify ideal zones, marked by green circles on your map. More rings in a zone generally indicate more crabs. You'll need to steer your vessel to these locations yourself.

Bait and Place Traps: Once in a suitable area, you must bait crab pots with fish. A single trap should be used per ring. Utilize the crane to drop the baited traps into the water.

Winch and Empty Traps: Traps will fill with crabs over time. Your ship's computer can review the trap status. To retrieve a trap, you'll need to use a harpoon gun to hook it and then winch it back onto the boat. Be aware that the harpoon gun is on the opposite side of the vessel from where you drop traps, requiring you to reposition the boat each time, which can become repetitive.

Sorting the Catch: After bringing in your haul, you must sort the crabs. Not all crabs are valuable; those under a certain size are considered "unpatriotic" and will not count towards your total. Drag the large, valuable crabs into the hatch leading to the tank, while discarding smaller crabs and other fish. This sorting process can be challenging due to the crabs' movement.

Navigation and Exploration

Your government-issued crabbing vessel is your only sanctuary in the icy Antarctic wasteland. Navigation is primarily done by steering the boat to green-circled areas on your map. Movement around the ship itself is point-and-click, which can initially feel awkward but becomes more familiar with practice. While managing the fishing vessel, you'll also find notes from previous prisoners, tools, and instructions that can aid your survival.

Ship Maintenance and Defense

Your survival depends not only on catching crabs but also on maintaining your vessel and defending it from the threats that lurk beneath the icy waters.

Repairs: You may encounter hazards that necessitate repairs on your boat. Be prepared to address these issues to keep your ship operational.

Defending Against Intruders: Alarms will sound to indicate that a crab has infiltrated your vessel. These aggressive crabs are intent on destroying your ship. You'll need to equip your axe and rush to dispatch them.

Surviving Antarctic Threats

The Antarctic waters are not empty. You will encounter various denizens of the sea that pose a direct threat to you and your ship.

Aggressive Crabs: Besides the smaller crabs that infiltrate your ship, you will encounter larger, more intimidating crabs like Paralomis and Brachyura. These creatures will attempt to sabotage your ship and attack you directly.

Combat: When confronted by these threats, your axe is your primary weapon. Being able to identify threats by sound and acting quickly can prevent numerous game overs. While giant crabs can be unsettling, they often move slowly, reducing their immediate threat if you're careful.

General Tips for Success

Time Management: You have a strict seven-day deadline to collect 500kg of king crab. It's crucial to be mindful of this deadline and plan your crabbing activities effectively. Keep busy by setting multiple crab pots or gathering "trash" for the Feudostate while waiting for traps to fill.

Learn the Controls: The experimental blend of first-person and point-and-click gameplay, with mouse-only control, can be clunky. Take time to get used to the movement and interaction mechanics.

Explore and Learn: The game offers minimal hand-holding, so exploring the deck to understand the placement and function of your tools is vital. Reading notes from previous prisoners can also provide valuable information.

Stay Vigilant: Always be aware of your surroundings and listen for alarms indicating intruders on your ship. Quick reactions are key to defending your vessel.

Precision Boating: Reeling in traps with the harpoon gun requires precise boat positioning. Practice maneuvering your ship to optimize this process.

Crabmeat: A Comprehensive Survival Crabbing Guide

Quick Summary