The Crackpet Show is an action-packed rogue-lite shoot’em-up about mutated animals that fight in a bizarre TV show, crushing their opponents with a variety of weapons. Choose your beastie, gear ‘em up, and go kill your enemies in the name of fame and sweet sponsorship deals!
Players take control of mutated animal characters who must fight their way through various levels and enemy encounters in the titular TV show's randomly generated, cartoon-inspired environments. The core gameplay loop involves selecting a character, equipping an arsenal of over 30 unique weapons and a variety of perks, and then navigating through these levels to defeat enemies and progress.
Rather than traditional twin-stick shooter controls, the game features an auto-aim system. Players simply hold down the fire button, and their character will automatically target and shoot the nearest enemy. While this may seem limiting at first, it forces players to focus more on dodging enemy attacks and strategically positioning themselves, rather than relying on pinpoint aiming. This design choice adds a layer of challenge and encourages mastery of the game's movement and evasion mechanics.
As players progress, they can unlock and equip different firearms, each with their own unique properties and abilities. These range from basic shotguns to more exotic options like bouncing bullets and molten lava-spewing weapons. Similarly, the perk system allows players to further customize their character, granting them powerful abilities such as invulnerability, increased damage, or healing. The combination of these elements encourages experimentation and replayability, as players strive to find the optimal loadout for each run.
The game employs a rogue-lite structure, meaning that each playthrough features randomized levels, enemy placements, and loot drops. Players must adapt their strategies on the fly to overcome the various challenges presented in each level, adding an element of unpredictability and the need for quick decision-making.
The game supports local co-op multiplayer, allowing up to four players to team up and tackle the levels together. This cooperative mode introduces an additional layer of strategy, as players must coordinate their actions, manage resources, and potentially contend with the temptation to steal power-ups from their friends. The chaotic, but often hilarious, nature of the co-op experience is a highlight for many players.
As players progress, they can unlock new weapons, perks, and even sponsor deals that provide passive bonuses. This meta-progression system allows for a sense of advancement, even if a run ends in failure, and encourages players to keep coming back, as they work towards unlocking the game's full potential.