Just Crow Things Review

Just Crow Things is a charming platformer puzzle adventure where you play as a little crow that sets off into all sorts of places around the world to wreak havoc on humans; if you're wondering why, the Steam page put it quite nicely: just caws!

I can't remember when or how I came across this game because it became part of my soul the second I saw it, but I've been counting down the days for its release ever since. Then, as my loving wife does, she surprised me with it one day, and I immediately dove beak-first into it! I was a tad anxious that I might have overhyped the game after waiting for it so eagerly, so I got very worried when, during the flying tutorial section, I felt like the controls were a bit wonky. Thankfully, the thought didn't last for long, as before I knew it, I was nearly tearing at the seams from laughing as I terrorised humans by pooping on them and watching them run away, screaming and slipping on the puddles of my crow poo.

Despite how much fun it looked to fly around being mischievous as an adorable little bird, it was even better to do it, and nothing could have prepared me for the hilarious sound effects of the people yelling at the top of their lungs from horror! Once I was done harassing a nearby princess by practising my posterior precision, I discovered yet another exciting feature: the little crow can pick up items to use, such as flashlights and flutes! While at first I thought it was just to find new ways to bother unsuspecting victims, it turned out to be much more present in the puzzle element of Just Crow Things (which isn't a bad thing at all!).

The game is split into different worlds you can play through, and in each one, you'll find a short (and humorous) story, a few cosmetics, quests to complete, races to finish, and tons of puzzles. Every single level I visited was just as charming — if not more — as the last, with some recurring characters appearing throughout the journey (such as a mother who keeps losing her children) and a plethora of tasks that would keep me entertained. On top of the delight of the gameplay and mechanics, I found several easter eggs, including my now new favourite one (I won't spoil it), which is always very alluring to see, as it reminds you that the developer is also a passionate gamer.

Whenever you're not busy trying to solve puzzles or poop on people, you might just find yourself losing track of time while customising your crow! Even throughout the overworld map area, you'll find a few cosmetics hidden, and you can change everything from her hat, scarf, and colour to the pitch of her voice. As a big sucker for customisation, I spent an egregious amount of time looking through every nook and cranny of the areas to look for new stuff to dress my birb with, and I was not disappointed by the variety and quality! There are great options all across, and who doesn't want to look their best when they finally get to be a crow?

For those worried about the wonky controls I mentioned earlier before I got distracted gushing about the chaos, they become much easier to manage as you play the game! It turned out that I just lacked the natural skill to fly (though, I must admit, I am a pro at pooping on people, even without the aim assist).

The only complaint I have would be the fixed camera angle! This game is so pretty, so vast, and so fun that I was perplexed that you can use a camera mode and move it around freely to take hilarious pictures, but you can only play looking towards a certain direction! I feel like it would've added a more significant feeling of freedom to the game. However, this relatively minor niggle completely fails to dampen the fun and enjoyment at all, as I was always too busy laughing and having a blast anyway!

If you enjoy platformers, puzzles, and silly chaotic situations, I really can't imagine why you shouldn't buy the game! Just Crow Things is one of the most charming and fun titles I've had the pleasure of experiencing this year, and I'm so happy it exists.