A Crafty Crusade

A Crafty Crusade is a roleplaying action-adventure game developed by Seashiba Studios and released on PC, Mac, Playstation 5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It is artistically and conceptually inspired by Paper Mario, the modern versions in particular, though it does borrow some mechanics from those games, as well as some other games.
== Story ==
The game begins with a prophecy that tells of a recurring event where a powerful and evil overlord known as the Shadow Emperor is awakened of their slumber and releases a dark corruption that spreads all across the land. Luckily, the deities of art were smart enough to deal with this kind of problem, through pressuring newly born souls into a difficult position of defeating the Shadow Emperor, sealing away the corruption, and saving the world. 
After the player creates their avatar, they are awakened in a strange cave by a young stick boy named Buddy who claims that they are "the chosen one," and that they must come with them to save the world from the clutches of the Shadow Emperor. The two then exit the cave into a lush forest with rays of the dawning sun bursting through the trees. After walking on a straight trail, they are suddenly ambushed by two corrupted slimes. Buddy tells the player to bring out any weapon, but soon realizes he forgot to bring one. He gives his own wooden sword to them and runs off to retrieve one.
After defeating the final enemy, the player accidentally breaks his sword while Buddy returns from the cave. Though disappointed to what happened to his own weapon, he gives the player another sword, this time made out of stone, or a randomly-picked sword drawn by other players if you're online. They continue their journey down the path, before eventually making it to a intersection. The sign in the middle has been flipped by a corrupted gnome, so if the player chooses the left path, they will make it to Stickby Square. However, if they chose the right path, they will go deeper into the forest and soon get lost.
After walking around for a while and battling monsters that blocked the way, Buddy soon becomes impatient and comes to the conclusion that they're lost. The duo try to turn back the other way, but Buddy is suddenly taken by a hand that reveals itself to be the hand of a corrupted golem. The player tries to fight back, but are too weak and thus knocked out. The screen fades to black, as it then cuts to the player's hero waking to some concerned villagers. 
Luckily, one of the captains of the royal guard, nicknamed Miss Petunia, had just rescued the two from being eaten by a rock tyrant. The mayor of this town comes forth and restates the reawakening of the Shadow Emperor, and that the player is the only one destined to defeat him. He then decides to show them around town, as well as teach the players the basics of fighting and how to complete quests. The tutorial is finished with Buddy begging the player to let him come along as the two accept their first task of rounding up the local sheep who have wandered off after their owner accidentally left open their gate.
== Gameplay ==
A Crafty Crusade places the player's avatar into a freely explorable overworld featuring flat, paper-like characters and adorned with a cartoony, arts-and-crafts aesthetic. As said previously, the main objective in the game is for the player to train and prepare themselves to fight the Shadow Emperor and his corrupted henchmen, through helping other survivors, battling monsters, and cleansing parts of corruption across the land.
One of the game's main and most unique features is the player's ability to change the appearance of their hero and various tools they will use along the way, as well as determine the outcome of their hero's development, as explained into further detail below. 
=== Battle System ===
Main article: A Crafty Crusade/Battle System.
The main methods to enter a battle is simply getting close enough to the enemy or provoking them. The main battle setting often takes place within a large circle in the player's current position of the overworld. You win a battle through defeating the enemies on stage, though other enemies in the overworld can also enter the arena.
=== Customization ===
In terms of player customization, this game offers a large variety of creative options for the player to choose from, through its unique drawing interface and palette of tools and colors. These tools include outlining, filling in spaces using colors, undoing and redoing any mistakes, pasting stickers found across the world, and labelling certain body parts. This interface is mostly used for the player's main avatar, tools and weapons, furniture, and even pets.
In addition, they can also customize the Cave of Destiny in which their hero first awakens in, also simply known as their Camp. This is done through putting and arranging furniture around until it's just the way you like it. Furniture can be either bought from Draw Depot or drawn in the Art Studio. 
=== Hero Development === 
Once again, in order to defeat the Shadow Emperor, your hero must first train themselves and boost their power. The most suggested method is to help out with the civilians' problems in the form of Quests, but you can also do various mini-games known as Classes to raise certain other skills, both for in battle and other certain events that may happen in the process. Regardless of your methods, they all contribute to your general level, or Rank. Though your general rank only increases, the rankings for certain skills can go up or down depending on your choices.
The second most important ranking is reputation from the townsfolk. It can be increased by completing quests, upgrading the town, and making decent choices. It can also be decreased by making rude and selfish choices. The higher your reputation ranking is, the more the townsfolk will gain trust in you and may even aid you on your journey, and vice versa.
For the full list of skills, see A Crafty Crusade/Skills.
== Cast ==
=== Playable ===
(These include characters that join the player's party in one way or another.)
Character	Description 	Fighter Type	Unlocked
Avatar 	It's you! Err, your heroic creation, I mean. He/She is the destined warrior to banish all corruption and seal away the Shadow Emperor for good! That last part is just temporary, unfortunately. 	Adaptive 	Initial
Buddy 	You best BESTEST friend 'till the end! Buddy's a young, aspiring stickboy who dreams of becoming a hero, but feels as though the prophecy is too limiting for him. Even though your hero had just been born, they're a role model to him and he is determined to help you with your quest! 	Hasty 	Completing the Tutorial
April 	It's the princess of a neighboring kingdom who has run away from her burdens as future queen and has disguised herself as a traveler to blend in with the peasants. However, she still seems to be distressed from attracting various lovestruck men from across the land. Oh well, she is quite beautiful anyway... 	Social 	Defeating the Queen Bee
Pitzas 	It's not easy being a mighty and tough brawler while also having a name that oddly sounds like 'pizza'. Heh. Still, despite his really intimidating appearance, he is actually really friend and will only attack if you really, REALLY provoke him. Or try to mess with his allies. 	Tank 	N/A
Fluffu 	Aww, isn't that little whittle face just adorable? But don't be fooled by that cutesy appearance (like I did), for it is extemely explosive in nature and consistently craving violence (albeit mild). Oh, and did I mention he's partially corrupted? Yep, you're fried. 	Distance 	N/A
Cicada 	Silent but deadly, this gothic vampire doesn't just lust for blood, but sheer wit and agility. At first, she is hesitant to join a group of petty mortals, but once you are able to WING her over, she's definitely a worthy tea-mate. Okay, we should probably stop with the vampire puns. (do vampires even DRINK tea?) 	Intellect 	N/A
Olive 	A niece of the Mayor Stickmunn's taskmaster and deputy, she is both a master herbalist, botanist, and alchemists, as well as one of their expert scholars. Although not a huge fan of violence, Olive is still willing to help her allies in need. She is an optional companion, and can only be unlocked by completing all of her quests.	Supportive 	Completing her Quests
=== NPCS ===
(These include supporting characters that the player can interact with and may help them on their journey.)
Character 	Description
Mayor Stickmunn 	The mayor of Stickby Square. He gives you a tour around town during the tutorial and make announcements.
Deputy Drawspire	The mayor's tireless deputy, as well as one of Olive's many aunts. She manages the quest board near the center of Stickby Square.
Kenneth Canopi 	Also known as Master Kin for short, Kenneth is a wise and experienced fighter who desires to teach others the ways of self-defense. He runs the dojo and helps train the hero's physical skills.
Artsy Ann 	An odd yet ambitious and supportive artist from a distant land who has settled in to Stickby Square to share her findings of art with its citizens. She runs the Art Studio.
Lunorris 	A wise and reserved prophet who claims to come from a mystical region seperate from Sketchtopia. She runs the Fortune Hut and helps train the hero's spiritual skills.
=== Enemies ===
See A Crafty Crusade/Bestiary.
== Worlds ==
World	Description
 	
== Trivia ==
* Ironically, A Crafty Crusade's customization feature is inspired by a certain mobile game series that I just recently discovered and personally think is quite underrated.
* The game's battle system had gone through various changes during development, such as a one leaning closer to the Paper Mario aspect and even within the overworld itself.
** Although the overworld battle system was scrapped, the concept of it was preserved for the post game's Endless Labyrinth of Trials.
* Reviews for this game were decently positive, though had received criticism for "being too cliché" and "borrowing" too many concepts from other games.
Category:Seashiba Games
Category:Indie Games
Category:Inspired Games
Category:3D Games
Category:Adventure Games
Category:Action Adventure Games
Category:Role-Playing Games
Category:Action Role-Playing Games
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Category:Multi-Platform Games
Category:A Crafty Crusade