Just Crow Things Review

If you’re ever stuck for a game, I highly recommend spending an evening or two with Cloudy, the star of Rain on Your Parade. It’s one of the cleverest, funniest, most unique gaming experiences of the last few years, an absolute credit to the creative minds at Unbound Creations.

But now that same team are back, and once more they have delivered another utterly clever, extremely funny, super unique experience. This time they are doing it with Just Crow Things. Is it a must-player? Well, you’ll certainly come away from this one with a huge smile on your face and if it landed in a world bereft of Balatro, it might have even been the best indie game I’ve played this year. As it is, runner-up spot ain’t bad. 

Just Crow Things is – unmistakably – an Unbound Creations game. That may be a strange thing to say seeing as they’ve only created one console game previously, but this should very much be seen as a standalone sequel to Rain on Your Parade. Visually it’s just as epic, it comes with the same fun attitude and – most importantly – it’s a cracking playthrough. Is it as unique as that first game? Nah, not quite, but it really isn’t too far off. 

Crowy, a young crow with big plans, embarks on a quest. But as she looks to take on a quest of enlightenment, her cool shades are swiped by a nefarious gang. From there comes a tale that focuses on the retrieval of said glasses, as well as a ton of stuff in between. Does that seem like I’m skirting the narrative? Well yes, I am. But that’s for good reason as the tale being told really does deserve to be experienced without prior spoiling, if only so you can experience the Easter Eggs and delicate nods for yourself. 

What you do need to know is that Just Crow Things sees you taking Crowy on all manner of adventures, across various self-contained stages as you look to complete missions and races, earning points as you go, unlocking further levels. Each of those is – frankly – a brilliant little playthrough, each extremely unique, cleverly put together. With certain aspects running across levels to bring things together, building tales, enjoying what Unbound Creations have put together is extremely enjoyable. 

Navigation of levels is a cinch. Obviously Crowy can fly, soaring high, swooping down, causing chaos on a whim. Whether that be pooping on unsuspecting bystanders, grabbing food to further power that poop, picking up and moving environmental structures or the like, Crowy controls really well. Occasionally you’ll find that taller structures do sometimes get in the way, but for the most part all is good. If the worst comes to the worst, landing with feet on the ground, running around is most definitely doable. 

Levels have multiple missions, side-missions, time trialling races and more in place, mostly playing out through fun little conversation pieces. And it’s in there where tools and items come to the fore; a leaf blower, blow torch, scattering of paint and more. What is nice about Just Crow Things is the fact that rarely are you told what to do, instead left to play around to see what happens. That’s a real joy, even drawing in those who usually prefer some structure and sense to their gaming experiences. 

Completion of levels provides new hats, skins and unlockables, with further items found scattered around both the lands and the connective, overseeing map. This should mean full completion will take a good few hours, but chuck in a New Game+ as well as a Sandbox in which you and Crowy can go wild, and it will take some going before any sign of boredom strikes with this one. 

There’s tons of positives thrown the way of what Unbound Creations have put together with Just Crow Things. But don’t think this is the perfect game. There are the odd text issues present, and occasionally old Crowy will find themselves stuck on bits of level scenery, struggling to free their wings. And it must be said that, just occasionally, the serene flight mechanics become a tad cumbersome, especially in those stages with multiple high-rise structures or trees; Crowy pinging from pillar to post as they attempt to navigate through safely. 

If we’re picky, Just Crow Things is a bit too short for our liking, with the New Game+ and Sandbox modes feeling a tad tacked on. We’d have much preferred a few more levels to work through instead and would have loved to have seen more made of the whole ‘pooping’ too, in particular the specials associated with it. 

But don’t get us wrong, there’s huge joy to be found in Just Crow Things. Much like the game that came before it, should you be looking for uniqueness, fun, or a game that is just oh-so clever, you should swoop in on Crowy’s adventures immediately. 

Set aside a couple of evenings and Just Crow Things will be more than capable of providing some glorious gaming goodness in return. Unbound Creations continue to be on a flyer.