Caveblazers

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,919 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • replayability
Caveblazers Game Cover
A varied, challenging platformer that's adept at forcing improvisation and punishing mistakes.
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"Caveblazers is a fantasy platformer roguelike offering both single-player and local co-op mode for 2 players. The game generates procedurally leveled caves to explore, filled with a vast array of weapons, equipment, and monsters. With smart AI characters, online multiplayer mod, and high replayability, Caveblazers provides delightful game mechanics, outstanding visuals, and a good soundtrack, though it involves plenty of grinding and humor."

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,919 reviews
gameplay186 positive mentions
grinding38 negative mentions
  • Caveblazers offers a fantastic blend of roguelike mechanics and fast-paced platforming, making each run feel unique and rewarding.
  • The game features a wide variety of items, weapons, and blessings that allow for diverse playstyles and strategies.
  • The pixel art style and soundtrack create an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • The game can feel overly punishing due to high damage from spikes and some enemies, leading to frustrating deaths.
  • RNG plays a significant role in determining the success of runs, which can lead to feelings of unfairness when good items or health drops are scarce.
  • The controls can be clunky, especially for ranged attacks, as aiming is limited to 8 directions, making it difficult to hit fast-moving enemies.
  • gameplay464 mentions

    The gameplay of Caveblazers is characterized by its fast-paced, roguelike mechanics that are easy to learn but challenging to master, offering high replayability through varied item combinations and character perks. While the combat mechanics are generally praised for their depth and fluidity, many players express frustration with the reliance on RNG for progression and the sometimes punishing difficulty, particularly in boss encounters. Overall, the game provides an engaging experience with a charming pixel art style, though it may not reach the same heights as similar titles like Spelunky.

    • “Gameplay is quick-paced, easy to learn but tough to master, re-playability is near infinite (yeah you can beat it, but it never stops being fun to run through with a friend), the pixel graphics are timeless, and it's cheap (especially if caught on sale).”
    • “The gameplay is super addictive and the perks/relics are a lot of fun.”
    • “Caveblazers is a mechanically sound action rogue-lite platformer in which you traverse a cave system, utilizing many weapons, items, accessories, and power-ups while engaging in satisfying combat against the local flora and fauna whilst on your quest.”
    • “High difficulty isn't a bad thing, but here most of it comes from extremely tedious boss fights and overall punishing mechanics.”
    • “I gave it an honest to god try, but it has so many frustrating mechanics that take control away from the player and hand it over to randomness.”
    • “Gameplay is very clunky and the game overall is very disappointing, even at $10 I regret the purchase. I love Spelunky and Risk of Rain, but the combat and RNG of this game is just terrible.”
  • graphics182 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style that evokes nostalgia, though opinions vary on its execution. While some players appreciate the simplicity and efficiency of the visuals, others find them generic or lacking in distinctiveness. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received for their aesthetic appeal and functionality, contributing positively to the gameplay experience.

    • “The game has some really beautiful environments and the graphics are really well designed and laid out.”
    • “Caveblazers 8-bit like graphics gives it a nostalgic vibe that makes you want to keep on playing.”
    • “Great game with a lot of replayability and really solid mechanics, animation, and graphics.”
    • “It's also pretty generic, insofar as the art style and enemies you face go.”
    • “The graphics are charming at first and will stay charming if you like old-fashioned graphics, and there's variety... but once you've seen and done it all, it becomes tedious.”
    • “Ok, graphics are really not fancy, even for pixel art when compared to something like Broforce or Hyper Light Drifter.”
  • replayability126 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players praising its variety of mechanics, items, and randomization that keep each run feeling unique and engaging. Many reviews highlight the abundance of unlockables, perks, and the challenge presented by the game's difficulty, making it a highly addictive experience. Overall, it is regarded as a standout title in the roguelike genre, offering endless fun and replay value, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “As you take your time to learn the mechanics and proper combos of items, it becomes very satisfying and the sheer amount of different possibilities for your runs makes it really replayable.”
    • “Tons of value for the money, with epic replayability, and hundreds of unlockables to earn and secrets to unlock even after beating the game.”
    • “I definitely recommend it, it has tremendous replayability due to both the difficulty and the randomization of dungeons.”
    • “In a genre fraught with boring, algorithmically generated and lifeless games of minimal replay value, this one is truly a gem.”
    • “The only gripe that I have with this game is that its replay value is based on every aspect being random.”
    • “It's a difficult game but it maintains a lot of replayability because of all of the unlockables.”
  • music110 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. However, some players noted that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness, detracting from long-term enjoyment. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, a desire for more variety and depth in the soundtrack has been expressed.

    • “The soundtrack is also very nice and fits very well to each level.”
    • “The music is amazing - although there are only a few tracks - I have had the main theme stuck in my head for no less than three days, and I have no complaints about it.”
    • “Tight controls, fast-paced gameplay, and a great soundtrack.”
    • “One thing tho... the soundtrack gets repetitive.”
    • “And you will get sick of the level 1 music, very fast.”
    • “Music is the same song over and over, and it doesn't really fit the game.”
  • story66 mentions

    The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with many players noting its lack of depth and reliance on tired tropes, such as the damsel in distress narrative. While some appreciate the lighthearted and fun interruptions in the gameplay, others find the overall storyline to be minimal and unengaging, often taking a backseat to the action. Overall, players express a desire for a more developed and intriguing story, particularly in potential remakes or updates.

    • “The story amicably takes a backseat and is fun and light with its interruptions, never really taking itself seriously.”
    • “The short story of the game is charming and fun, though it is very, very short in terms of dialogue.”
    • “I finished the main storyline and yet I'm still driven to try the many combos I still haven't.”
    • “The only downside is that the whole damsel in distress story is really tiresome and played out, but otherwise it's a solid 9/10 game.”
    • “No plot to sink your teeth into the game so you can see your character have a happy ending, no huge overarching boss that kills all hinted at the end, it's just kind of there's a dungeon, and you go delve in it.”
    • “There's only one caveat: the story, what little there is, is terrible.”
  • humor42 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of crude and slapstick elements, with players finding amusement in the absurd ways characters can die, such as accidental spikes or chaotic AI behavior. While some appreciate the comedic mechanics and funny character designs, others feel the humor is generic and lacks depth, wishing for more engaging narration or unique comedic elements. Overall, the humor adds a layer of enjoyment to the challenging gameplay, but opinions vary on its originality and execution.

    • “As I watched about 10 slimes in one area just throw themselves onto spikes and kill themselves, it was pretty funny to just walk in on.”
    • “Simple yet addicting, difficult and random but always hilarious.”
    • “From being able to choose a pants-less hero to having a grumpy old man cave dweller that doesn't actually talk but instead makes funny noises like those in Little Big Planet.”
    • “I know the game wants to be hard, but it's just not funny to have 80% of my runs end because I accidentally dropped onto spikes or someone kicked me into them.”
    • “I know the game wants to be hard, but it's just not funny to have 80% of my runs end because I accidentally dropped onto spikes or someone kicked me into them.”
  • grinding42 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious due to unbalanced boss fights and a punishing difficulty curve. While some appreciate the challenge and the need to improve skills rather than rely solely on grinding, others feel that the repetitive nature of gameplay detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as grindy, with some players enjoying the mechanics while others find it frustrating and unengaging.

    • “The movement and combat feel good, so although you'll have to retread a lot of ground, it was not tedious.”
    • “Really wanted to like it, but poor balance issues made it feel tedious starting over and over again.”
    • “Bosses have 2-3 times more HP than they should; it's only grinding with no fun.”
    • “For how grindy and RNG dependent this game is to keep players playing 'cause maybe next run will actually give me some progress, makes this game not worth 7 pounds.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game suffers from a significant number of glitches, ranging from minor issues to severe, game-breaking bugs that can end runs unexpectedly. Players have expressed frustration over the lack of developer engagement in addressing these problems, with many glitches remaining unresolved for years. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these issues, the stability concerns, particularly during critical gameplay moments, detract from the overall experience.

    • “Completely riddled with glitches, some of them are insignificant and could be fixed easily, while others are run-ending and game-breaking. The developers and forum moderators just delete threads/posts about found glitches, and I haven't seen any real developer interaction or interest in fixing even the most easily fixed glitches.”
    • “When I Google glitches I've found, I see posts from years ago complaining about the exact same things that I'm experiencing, so the developers aren't fixing even the game-breaking glitches.”
    • “But I'm getting several mid-game freezes that last for several seconds. When the game unfreezes, I'm heavily injured or dead, which is really frustrating, especially in a game that is so unforgiving.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    The optimization of the game is mixed; while some players report a generally smooth performance with a steady 60 fps, others criticize the lack of optimization for certain mobs and bosses, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. Overall, the game's action accuracy and optimization issues detract from the enjoyment for some users.

    • “The performance for the most part, is generally smooth and runs at a steady 60 fps.”
    • “Items that boost your performance, give you health, and make for very interesting gameplay.”
    • “Super smooth performance.”
    • “Game action is frustrating; the developers' lack of optimization and action accuracy makes this game not a pleasant journey but a downward torment.”
    • “Adding on to this, many mobs and bosses are poorly optimized.”
    • “The performance for the most part is generally smooth and runs at a steady 60 fps.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its attention to detail and the clever integration of humor, particularly through the main NPC's commentary on the futility of exploring randomly generated caves. Reviewers appreciate the blend of comedic elements reminiscent of Spelunky with the engaging gameplay and design aspects of Risk of Rain, contributing to a unique and immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's appeal.

    • “I really love the atmosphere created in the game, with the main NPC character occasionally pointing out apparent futility in entering the randomly generated caves.”
    • “A wonderful combination of the atmosphere and comedy of Spelunky, and the gameplay, art/design, and items/power-ups of Risk of Rain.”
    • “It's the little things that create the atmosphere and help set your game apart.”
    • “I really love the atmosphere created in the game, with the main NPC character occasionally pointing out the apparent futility in entering the randomly generated caves.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional response to the game's challenging mechanics, often feeling frustration and a sense of futility due to frequent, seemingly unfair deaths. The comparison to games like Dark Souls highlights the emotional toll of the gameplay, with some players embracing the experience as a form of self-inflicted challenge. Overall, the game elicits a mix of anger and determination, appealing to those who enjoy punishing yet rewarding gameplay.

    • “9/10 if you like physically and emotionally abusing yourself, or like Dark Souls (same thing, right?)”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized, with users expressing relief at purchasing it at a discounted price rather than full price, suggesting that the developers may be focused on quick profits rather than ongoing support or updates.

    • “I'm glad I didn't initially buy this game at its full price and rather at the 1 dollar price they discounted it to (probably because they want to do a couple cash grabs and are never going to update the game).”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems like the developers are more focused on making money than providing a quality gaming experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many paywalls in a game that could have been enjoyable without the constant push to spend more money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

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Play time

50hMedian play time
138hAverage play time
23-300hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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