Cave Crawlers

About

Cave Crawlers is a single player and multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Heroic Pyxel LLC and was released on July 10, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

In Cave Crawlers you and your friends play as Dwarves searching for glory, power, and loot in the form of armor, weapons, potions, and items hidden underground from the world above. Your player has a fun, complex talent and stat system that you will use to fight powerful bosses and enemies. You'll find all kinds of mysteries along your journey, exploring different biomes, mobs, and items along the…

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,347 reviews

gameplay50 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Cave Crawlers is a fun and engaging game, especially when played with friends, offering a unique blend of roguelike mechanics and cooperative gameplay.
The game features a vast skill tree and diverse weapon options, allowing for various playstyles and strategies, which enhances replayability.
The voice acting and humor add a charming touch to the game, making it an enjoyable experience even during challenging moments.

The game suffers from stability issues, including crashes and connectivity problems, which can lead to lost progress and frustration.
Some players find the torch mechanic frustrating, as it can lead to being left in the dark and vulnerable during gameplay.
The game currently lacks content variety, with repetitive level designs and limited enemy types, which can make the experience feel stale over time.

gameplay
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
51%
7%
The gameplay of "Cave Crawlers" is generally praised for its fun and addictive mechanics, particularly in cooperative play, with a solid roguelike structure that keeps players engaged through randomized elements and a deep skill tree. However, some players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth, with certain mechanics, like the torch system, being frustrating. Overall, while the game has its flaws, it offers a satisfying experience that can be enhanced with improvements to visuals and mechanics.
- “Each run feels fresh, and the game’s addictive 'just one more try' gameplay will keep you coming back for more.”
- “Cave crawlers is a fantastic roguelike dungeon crawler that delivers fast-paced action, deep gameplay, and a charming retro vibe.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are both intuitive and challenging, striking the perfect balance for both casual and hardcore gamers.”
- “Solo gameplay is nearly impossible.”
- “I couldn't get past the boss on floor 20; it feels miserable to fight against, is really fast, and the whole mechanic where it targets a player and charges into them to destroy a crystal barely happens.”
- “Overall, the game is pretty fun, but a lot of mechanics with bosses are annoying or never happen, and anyone dying at all on your team feels like you have to toss the run away unless you want them to wait for you to kill a boss (every 10 floors).”
graphics
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
65%
6%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the charming retro aesthetic and pixel art style, while others criticize the inconsistent art direction and low-quality UI. Many agree that despite the simple visuals, the gameplay is engaging and enjoyable, often overshadowing the graphical shortcomings. Overall, the graphics are described as functional but lacking polish, with potential for improvement in certain areas.
- “The pixel art style is vibrant and full of personality, with detailed environments and charming character designs.”
- “The visuals are nothing short of breathtaking, each frame a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries between reality and fantasy.”
- “Large lobbies with friends, extensive combat systems, a huge tech tree, randomly generated caves, and a simple but effective graphic style gives this game a unique charm.”
- “The art style is all over the place: the UI has default assets and looks horrible, the enemies are voxel art, the environment is low poly and textureless, and the items are pixel art.”
- “If the graphics weren't the shittiest thing I've ever seen since the 90s, then I would play this game all the time, but it makes me want to puke all over everyone and everything.”
- “Upon opening the game, your expectations are pretty low based on the 'low-effort' sound effects and art style.”
humor
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with many players finding the intentionally bad voice lines and audio to be amusingly entertaining. The game shines in multiplayer settings, where friends can share laughs over funny dialogue and chaotic moments, making it a delightful experience despite some gameplay flaws. Overall, the humor is described as charming and a key reason to recommend the game, especially for group play.
- “A charming indie title that’s simple to pick up, hilarious in the right moments, and an absolute blast with friends.”
- “This game made me laugh for like an hour straight; gather a group of friends and play this, it's literally so funny!”
- “With friends, this game is hilarious and the voice acting is impeccable.”
replayability
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
23%
12%
The game boasts high replayability due to its procedurally generated levels, diverse weapons, and character builds, offering a fresh experience with each run. While many players appreciate the variety and challenge it presents, some feel that the current simplicity and lack of deeper mechanics could limit long-term replay value. Overall, the combination of roguelike elements and customizable difficulty contributes to a highly engaging and replayable experience.
- “With its procedurally generated levels, variety of weapons and abilities, and challenging difficulty, this game offers tons of replayability.”
- “As someone who has put many hours into this game, I can attest that it has near endless replayability with a customizable difficulty to keep the game challenging at any skill level.”
- “Replayability is one of the strongest aspects of this game in my opinion; unlocking something different each run is simply something I have never experienced in any other type of game before.”
- “Having said that, it's mechanically not very deep, and kind of lacks replayability.”
- “However, the current simplicity really limits the replay value, which is a problem.”
- “If there were, for instance, randomized perks that you chose from once per (1-5) floors (totally separate from the weapon tree), I think there'd be a lot more replayability.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
34%
14%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with players praising its ability to enhance the overall experience through a captivating chiptune soundtrack and atmospheric sound design. Voice lines and combat music are highlighted as particularly engaging, contributing to the game's adventurous and tense moments. However, some users noted a lack of music in certain areas, while others found the boss music to be exceptionally powerful.
- “The retro visuals are complemented by a chiptune soundtrack that perfectly captures the game’s adventurous spirit.”
- “The dark, atmospheric art style is complemented by a haunting soundtrack that ramps up the tension.”
- “Everything about the game, from the mobs, the caves, and the soundtrack is all masterfully crafted and breathtaking.”
- “There is a lack of music.”
- “The music won't stop playing, omg lol.”
- “The game itself is good despite the fact that it is in early access, but the soundtrack is lacking.”
story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players praising its deep character development, emotional voice acting, and compelling themes of love and loss, while others criticize it for lacking a substantial narrative and feeling repetitive. Despite the absence of a traditional story, the unique setting and character depth resonate with many, making it stand out in a genre often focused on mechanics over storytelling. Overall, the game offers a blend of engaging storytelling and gameplay, appealing to those who appreciate character-driven narratives.
- “If you are thinking about jumping into a life-changing story, with deep plot-lines and high action combat, you have found the game.”
- “It’s hard to put into words just how deeply the voice acting, the character depth, and the way the story unfolds resonated with me, but I’ll try.”
- “The mystery behind why our heroes are in the caves is deeply compelling, as well as the large number of strange biomes really drives our plot forward.”
- “Not a lot of story for those who want that.”
- “This game kind of reminds me of Deep Rock Galactic, in the sense that you play as dwarfs going deep underground to complete different missions, but it does many things that make it stand out as a unique game.”
- “☑ no story, just a cave.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a profound emotional experience while engaging with the game, highlighting the depth of character development and impactful voice acting that fosters a strong connection to the narrative. The emotional stakes are heightened by elements like perma-death, which can lead to heartbreak, and moments of triumph that evoke genuine tears. Overall, the game is described as an emotional journey that deeply resonates with players, sometimes to the point of overwhelming them.
- “But from the very first lines spoken, I was struck by something I didn’t expect: the sheer emotional depth behind every character.”
- “The voice actor’s performance didn’t just play a role in the game—it made me feel like I was stepping into the shoes of someone else, someone with depth, with backstory, and with genuine emotion.”
- “It wasn’t just a game anymore—it was an emotional journey, one that affected me in ways I didn’t expect.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, particularly when aiming for higher levels or prestige, with some suggesting it feels like a second job. While some appreciate the rewarding progression system and engaging gameplay, many express frustration over the grindiness, especially in the early stages, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is recognized for its graphics and mechanics, but the grinding can be a significant drawback for many players.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's a bit grindy to get to level 30 for prestige.”
- “Very annoying and grindy for no reason at all.”
- “It started off as really engaging and fun, although it decayed quickly and became tedious and boring.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
11%
22%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its rich, immersive qualities, featuring a dark art style and a haunting soundtrack that enhances tension. Players appreciate the sound design and captivating visuals, which together create an addictive and engaging environment. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and longevity.
- “For a roguelike-lite, 'Cave Crawlers' excels in creating a rich, immersive atmosphere.”
- “The dark, atmospheric art style is complemented by a haunting soundtrack that ramps up the tension.”
- “Randomly generated maps with a very high difficulty, a well-polished atmosphere and gameplay, easy to learn mechanics, and extremely enjoyable!”
- “The captivating visuals and immersive soundtrack work together to create an attention-grabbing atmosphere.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on modest hardware and offers a compelling multiplayer experience, players have reported minor performance issues, particularly in the catacombs. Some optimizations are still needed to enhance the multiplayer experience further, but the game shows promise in its early access state.
- “Runs smoothly on modest hardware.”
- “For the moment, the only downside would be the length (we haven't gotten past the third boss, but it seems to be the last one) and some small performance issues in the catacombs. Playing with at most 4 people (at least 1) has resulted in these issues nearly every time. Everyone in the group experiences it; I host, and my computer isn't great, if that matters.”
- “While a welcome addition, some optimizations could improve the experience.”
- “With multiplayer optimizations and the addition of achievements, this game could stand out even more.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The monetization in the game features primarily cosmetic microtransactions, with the exception of purchasable dwarf slots. While some players appreciate the non-intrusive nature of these purchases and the character progression system, others criticize the overall quality of the game and express concerns about the value of spending on cosmetics, especially in a solo play context.
- “All of the in-game purchases are cosmetic except one: dwarf slots.”
- “There's no particularly obtrusive in-game purchases and so many detailed strategic options for upgrades.”
- “The character progression is awesome, and I love how monetization is done.”
- “Every single thing about this in the short time I played it was extremely low quality, and the game has microtransactions on top of that.”
- “This game is crap, and the monetization efforts are wasteful.”
- “I fear for how this game will figure out its monetization; because at least personally I'm not interested in buying a battle pass for cosmetics in a game I'm playing solo.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
83%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players encountering significant glitches and freezing issues, particularly during online play. However, others report smooth performance on their systems and appreciate the game's engaging mechanics despite its bugs. Overall, while there are notable stability concerns, many players still find the game enjoyable.
- “It seems to be a really good game that runs great on my rig, so no complaints here. It's definitely a grinding game; even on easy mode, it's pretty hard to get started, but I like that about it. I would definitely recommend it to friends.”
- “The game maintains a solid performance throughout, providing a stable experience that enhances gameplay.”
- “I've had no crashes or major bugs, which makes for a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.”
- “I've almost beaten the final boss on hard mode, but I keep running into glitches.”
- “I found out that when your internet cuts out for more than 1-2 seconds, the game completely freezes without attempting to reconnect.”
- “Buggy game; I'm lowkey getting frustrated by the bugs.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development is enhanced by vibrant pixel art that showcases detailed environments and charming designs, contributing to a strong sense of personality for each character.
- “The pixel art style is vibrant and full of personality, with detailed environments and charming character designs.”