Crashlands 2 was a surprise for me, to be honest, I had never played Crashlands 1, so I was going in blind. All I expected was a chill crafting game, and what I found was a strange, charming world full of weird creatures, hilarious writing, thoughtful mechanics, and some genuinely touching story beats. This game is a blend of chaos and comfort, and it might just be one of the most accessible and replayable indie games I’ve played this year.
The Story: Goofy, but Kinda Deep
You play as Flux Dabes (yes, that’s really her name), an interstellar trucker who’s forced to crash-land on an alien planet and accidentally destroys someone’s house. That’s your first clue that this game doesn’t take itself too seriously. And yet, under all the dad jokes and puns, there’s something deeper, a story about rebuilding, forming bonds with weird alien neighbours, and pushing back against a shady corporation.
The humour hits that rare sweet spot where it’s actually funny (think Dexter’s Lab meets sci-fi satire) but doesn’t distract from the worldbuilding, and believe me, Woanope (the planet you crash on) is a vibe; it is bright, bizarre, and brimming with personality.
Gameplay That Lets You Play Your Way
Crafting and survival mechanics can often feel like chores to me, and I was getting a little “crafted out” with games, but Crashlands 2 keeps things breezy. There’s no hunger or thirst (only health bars for fighting monsters), which I loved; you can explore without constantly panicking about finding food or water, and death doesn’t punish you too harshly. That alone made it so much easier to relax into the gameplay loop and feel like I was achieving without having that usual grind.
The combat is flexible and surprisingly deep. I’ve played around with bombs made from fish, stun-based gear, and even weird magical trinkets that turn dodges into explosions. There’s something satisfying about finding your rhythm, and if you’re like me, you’ll probably end up with a favourite pet companion (mine’s the little electrified mushroom guy that my community named Pete).
Crafting, base-building, and farming are smooth and surprisingly satisfying. The UI is clean, resource tracking is clear, and upgrading gear feels meaningful, not grindy. It hits that perfect loop of “just one more quest, just one more gadget…” and suddenly, it’s 3 AM.
Replayability & Endgame Vibes
After finishing the main story, I was surprised at how much I still wanted to do. There’s a Challenge Mode for those who want extra difficulty (and achievements), but even in regular play, there’s tons of gear to craft, pets to train, and secrets to find.
If you’re an achievement hunter, you’re in for a treat. Some of them are straightforward; others ask for some serious time and creativity. There’s even a trinket that makes your attacks scale with how close you are to dying. Pure chaos, and I loved it.
With new builds to try, pets to collect, and bosses to tackle again, I’ll definitely be coming back. It’s one of those games you can play in short bursts or lose an entire weekend to (which I did …).
Accessibility That Actually Works
As someone who really values accessibility in games (especially for long sessions), I was impressed by how much thought went into making Crashlands 2 playable for everyone. You can rebind keys completely, and it’s even playable with just a mouse, which is amazing for folks who use assistive tech or need simpler controls. There’s support for controllers and mobile touch input too, so I was able to bounce between PC and my phone without losing progress; thank you, cloud sync!!.
The developers have clearly listened to their community between games. Players have asked for more features like changing dodge-roll direction (from cursor-based to movement-based), and they are still continuing to make positive changes and updates. It’s not just accessible; it feels thoughtfully designed with genuine care and attention for accessible needs.
A few notable accessibility features that stood out to me and my community include emojis next to dialogue to convey emotions (great for our autistic members) and customizable colours for the overlay, which was hugely beneficial to our colourblind community. There are “telegraphs” indicating where damage will be dealt, an adjustable field of view for easier navigation, and adjustable font sizes throughout.
Lots of ups and some downs
Although I enjoyed Crashlands 2, there were some things I found a little clunky and difficult to swallow.
Repetitive Gameplay Loops: The game offers a vast open world to explore, and some people may find the gameplay loops, such as gathering resources, crafting, and defeating similar enemies, too repetitive over time. The game’s reliance on these mechanics can sometimes make progression feel like a grind, especially during longer play sessions. I know I struggled at times and had to take a break for a few days before going back.
Inconsistent Difficulty Spikes: The game can sometimes hit you with sudden difficulty spikes, particularly during boss fights or certain enemy encounters. These spikes were frustrating to navigate, especially when I was a little under-leveled at the beginning.
Inventory Management Can Be Clunky: At points in the game, I had vast amounts of resources that were unorganised and overwhelming. I could be wrong, but I could not find a quick way of managing these resources effectively and that at times led me to leave crafting on the back foot.
These downsides aren’t necessarily deal-breakers for everyone, but they’re worth noting for players who may be looking for a more streamlined or deeper experience.
Final Thoughts:
Crashlands 2 surprised me in the best way. It’s funny, smart, and extremely playable, whether you’re a hardcore min-maxer or just want to casually garden between alien hunts. But most importantly, it feels like it wants you to have a good time, not punish you for not memorising a wiki or a map.
My Score:
Perfect for:
- Casual players who want a laid-back but deep experience
- Accessibility minded gamers
- Survival crafting fans who are tired of hunger meters
- People who love charm, colour, and weird little aliens
Platforms: Android, Microsoft Windows
Developer: Butterscotch Shenanigans
Genres: Adventure game, Role-playing Video Game, Action game, Indie game, Fighting game, Adventure
Publisher: Butterscotch Shenanigans
