When Krater launched in 2012, it was met with mixed reviews, often landing in the mediocre-to-negative range for various reasons—some justified, some perhaps overly critical. Now, years later, I’ve finally gotten around to playing this game that I pre-ordered so long ago, and honestly? I absolutely love it. Sure, it has its flaws, but the charm and fun I’ve found more than make up for them.

The World and Art: A Beautifully Bizarre Experience
One of Krater’s strongest points is its world. Set in a post-apocalyptic Sweden, it’s a refreshing and unique take compared to the typical wastelands we see in games of this genre. The art direction is vibrant, quirky, and utterly charming, with landscapes and environments that are a joy to explore. Every location feels alive with character, from its bustling hubs to its eerie Freedigger Sites, and the humor sprinkled throughout keeps things lighthearted despite the dire setting.

Exploration and Combat: Simple, But Satisfying
For someone who loves exploration, Krater delivers. The Freedigger Sites, particularly Limbo, offer procedurally generated dungeons that make every dive feel unique. The hop-in, hop-out structure of the game makes it perfect for casual play sessions, and its relatively simple mechanics make it easy to pick up and enjoy without feeling bogged down by complexity.

Combat is also surprisingly well-suited for casual players like me. It’s smooth, intuitive, and very comfortable to play using just a mouse and keyboard. While it might not offer the depth or intensity of other dungeon crawlers, its accessibility makes it a great option when you’re in the mood for something less demanding but still rewarding.

Implants and Boosters: A Clever Layer of Customization
One system that stands out is Krater’s implant and booster mechanic. While the combat skills for each class are limited (and shared across all characters of the same type), the implants and boosters allow you to customize how these skills work. By adding different properties and buffs, you can effectively tweak how your skills function—or more specifically, how you choose to use them. It’s a clever way to take a simple system and add some depth, giving players the freedom to experiment and tailor their playstyle. It feels rewarding to find that perfect combination that suits your strategy.

Managing Injuries: A Fun Strategic Twist
The character health and injury system deserves a special mention. The permanent injuries that can be sustained if characters aren’t properly cared for add a layer of strategy to the gameplay. It keeps you engaged in managing your team’s well-being, which is an aspect I genuinely enjoy. It’s not overly punishing, but it’s just enough to make you think twice about reckless decisions, especially in tougher dungeons.

The Flaws: Acknowledging the Criticism
That’s not to say the game is perfect. Critics have pointed out its lack of polish, particularly around release, and it’s true that there are bugs and occasional rough edges that can detract from the experience. Some also found its systems too simplistic or shallow compared to other CRPGs. While these are valid observations, for me, they don’t overshadow the game’s strengths. If anything, the simplicity makes Krater more accessible, and the focus on exploration, customization, and team-building keeps it engaging enough.

Why I Love It Anyway
Ultimately, Krater may not be the most complex or refined dungeon crawler, but it doesn’t need to be. Its charm lies in its approachable gameplay, quirky world, and the satisfaction of exploring its beautifully weird environments. The implant and booster system adds just enough customization to keep things interesting, and the hop-in, hop-out nature makes it a breeze to play in small chunks or long sessions. Whether I’m diving into a Freedigger Site for loot, managing my squad’s injuries after a tough fight, or fine-tuning skills with implants, the game keeps me entertained and invested in its post-apocalyptic playground.

If you’re someone who loves exploration, a unique art style, and gameplay that balances challenge with accessibility, Krater is absolutely worth a look—even years after its release. It’s a flawed gem, but one I’m happy to have finally unearthed.

OH MY GOD I JUST WANT TO GUSH A BIT BEFORE ENDING, This at it's core satisfies the dundeon crawler crpg player in me. again, everything is simplistic in depth, but that can be a good thing. it's not something that makes the game worse... so I'm fine with it.

I've always been, judge it for what it is, not for what it's not. this is a good time. Looking forward to getting into "dreadlands" which seems to take place in the same world. while i'm not a fan of "fatshark", this world they have made just makes me love them and hope that they build more games around this world and art style.

an absolute recommend!