Crawlco Block Knockers | Nintendo Switch Review

In an age of gaming where the nude, and the lewd are more frowned upon than usual there exists one publisher willing to push the bounds of maturity well beyond decency. That publisher is eastasiasoft. This time around their nudity filled indie masterpiece happens to be a puzzler of old origins that has you completing lines of color coded blocks, and killing enemies with said blocks to uncover images of birthday suited broads. In your work, as a lizard for hire, you will ultimately face off against lesser enemy types as well as gargantuan bosses on a grid based playing field as you do the bidding of your own boss at a company known only as Crawlco. 

As the reptilian worker for hire, and the protagonist of this here experience, it is your duty to avoid enemy hazards while completely uncovering designated areas using your patented grab, drag, and kick combo. By grabbing onto blocks with the B button, and following up with a pressing of A you will be able to slide, and match color coded blocks which will in turn reveal the picture of flesh baring ladies a small percentage at a time. At times B will also act as a means for jumping over raised areas to reach other blocks as well as a means to pull blocks into place square by square. Between the block moving you'll also have to mind the baddies that will each take away one life on hit. Some being more shmup-like adversaries than others. The end goal of it all being a clearing of a certain percentage of the given stage against a timer, and a limited stock of lives. Using blocks and enemy baddies as clearing fodder. Stages come in threes per named lady with the nude version, uncensored or censored, being revealed on the third stage. With every two ladies you clear you'll follow up with a fight against a boss which also incorporates the image uncovering, and block kicking mechanics. Ultimately rewarding you with an unlocked gallery of art featuring the game's cast of hidden ladies. 

With the given goals comes options, and those options will allow you to experience the game in a variety of different ways. For one thing you can change how the blocks look. You can even remove enemies, or keep them included in the lewd lady themed stage sets. Censorship is also an option. You can have the images completely uncensored showcasing everything from butts to boobs, or completely hide everything using a modesty filter. That or slightly censor with stars. It gives the player choice, and adds a little something extra to the mix.

The presentation is a mixture of indie sprites, Western style anime ladies, and that old school screen clearing Japanese puzzle setup that some of you might know about. Basically stuff of this very nature that never made it to Western shores. Albeit a different take on the classic formula. Along with the visual spectacle comes a complimentary retro soundtrack which you can enjoy outside of the game through the previously mentioned gallery as well as inside the game during a playthrough. Songs are unlocked as you make progress. 

The Verdict ...

This will not be a game for everyone. It is M rated for obvious reasons, and honestly should not fall into underage children's hands. It's more of a novelty game with a unique puzzle gimmick for adult gamers. If you're not easily offended, do not have strict religious values, or appreciate this kind of art you might just enjoy it. The puzzle element is challenging enough, and will test your mettle early on. It is a race against a timer with limited lives. That, and a score based affair where your time finished, and lives left are tallied up alongside any in-game scoring for a final total. Making it a leaderboard friendly game where the competition is there if you wish to partake of it. I think it's alright for what it is, but a little less so in comparison to their previous lewd shmup. Still a budget title regardless, and definitely subject to future deletion if the purity police catch wind of it. Might want to get it while the getting is good!