Caves of Lore

About

"Caves of Lore" is a turn-based CRPG with pixel-art graphics, featuring a blend of environmental exploration, character interaction, and tactical combat. The game offers a lighthearted tone with dark themes, as players progress through a fantasy world filled with monsters, humor, hidden secrets, and loot. As a solo-dev passion project, it was built over 6 years with constant daily progress, resulting in a highly customizable party and an engaging story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 305 reviews

story40 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Caves of Lore is a charming homage to classic CRPGs, featuring engaging exploration, a unique spell-learning system, and a variety of character customization options.
The game offers a wealth of secrets and puzzles, rewarding players for their curiosity and attention to detail, making each discovery feel satisfying.
The developer is highly responsive, frequently updating the game to fix bugs and improve gameplay based on community feedback.

The user interface can be clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult for players to navigate menus and understand certain mechanics.
Some players have reported bugs that can disrupt gameplay, including crashes and issues with saving progress, although the developer is actively working to address these.
The combat can become repetitive, with some encounters feeling tedious due to the high frequency of battles and the lack of challenge as players progress.

story
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
The story in the game is generally praised for its intriguing and well-written narrative, with a rich world and deep lore that encourages exploration and discovery. However, some players find the quest structure confusing and the progression gated by specific companions, leading to frustration when trying to advance the plot. While the overarching storyline is compelling, many reviewers note that it ends on a cliffhanger, leaving them eager for a sequel to resolve the narrative threads.
- “The story is fantastic and the lore building that went into this is up there with any big-time RPG.”
- “The story revolves around a small town enclosed by fog whose inhabitants suffer from amnesia.”
- “The introduction of gameplay elements is well-paced and thoughtful around story flow.”
- “The worst part is for the story to move forward, you need to do this in a location when you can't camp in sight of the runes, which makes it even harder.”
- “My biggest complaint is the story - the whole time you get little bits about what's going on, and then the game just ends on a cliffhanger kind of in the middle of it all.”
- “It is very very unfinished, chock full of glitches and bugs; the narrative is not well thought out or plotted, and the quest paths/directives are literally non-existent or so super nuanced that it's impossible to discern.”
gameplay
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The gameplay of this pixel-based CRPG is praised for its depth and intricate mechanics, offering a blend of classic RPG elements with unique features like a rune/moon system and environmental interactions. While the user interface can be unintuitive and some mechanics are poorly explained, the overall experience is engaging, with tactical turn-based combat and a rich storyline that rewards exploration. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles, alongside modern conveniences, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.
- “The mechanics and how it blends together makes for an enjoyable playthrough as a mage with access to spells both in and out of combat that aren't just limited to slightly bigger numbers.”
- “Its unique gameplay mechanics and intricate systems offer an immersive experience that rewards exploration and attention to detail.”
- “Highly customizable character development, quick and engaging tactical turn-based combat, and a world exploration mechanic that utilizes unique skills and abilities to navigate the environment and discover treasure provides a fun framework to really dig into its many systems.”
- “There are gripes - the game is too easy, lots of mechanics aren't properly explained, and the amount of combat thrown at you seems excessive at times.”
- “Poorly explained upgrade mechanics; I spent 80% of the game without enhancing equipment or enchanting it, because I had no idea how.”
- “While the game appears to be complete, it is lacking in some tooltips and clarification on some game mechanics.”
graphics
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
59%
9%
The game's graphics are primarily pixel art, which some players find charming and nostalgic, while others consider them a drawback. Many reviews highlight the attention to detail in animations and environments, praising the overall aesthetic as effective and appealing, despite some minor graphical issues. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, though opinions vary on their quality and appeal.
- “With gorgeous pixelated art style, deep character customization, interesting story, and tons of spells which I probably won't even be able to try all.”
- “The graphics are charming and convey feelings really effectively.”
- “This is old school turn-based dungeon crawling with a beautiful pixel aesthetic, atmosphere, and great music.”
- “Bad graphics, bad game design; didn't like this one. It doesn't feel intuitive - easy to get stuck on maps without finding the exit.”
- “The graphics are lacking for sure, but they work really well within the context of the game.”
- “Also, the graphics, while serviceable, have a color palette that doesn't always mesh well together.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with a soundtrack that is both enjoyable and diverse, preventing monotony during gameplay. Reviewers highlight the harmonious relationship between the music and the pixel graphics, noting that it contributes significantly to the game's charm and immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, reflecting the dedication of the indie developers.
- “Last but not least, the soundtrack is surprisingly good, and the texts are often punchy, on point, and fun to read.”
- “The music and the artwork harmonize very well with each other, in my opinion.”
- “The music and overall sound design is very well done!”
- “I've heard numerous different pieces in just the handful of places I've explored, along with more than one battle soundtrack so it doesn't get monotonous.”
- “Think of the bard's tale or Ultima VI music scores and you'll know what is in store here.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in combat and exploration, where battles feel drawn out and spell memorization can be burdensome. While some appreciate the engaging leveling system and the fun in grinding, many express frustration with the excessive waiting and the need for repetitive actions to progress, especially in challenging modes. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a mixed bag, with significant room for improvement.
- “Making fights a tedious experience when each damage point counts (I am trying nightmare mode).”
- “I have to say I think there are a bit too many repetitive combats in this game, and the whole thing with some paths only opening when one of three moons is in a specified position was tedious.”
- “It was tedious because I knew I was going to win each battle but had to spend the same amount of time doing it each time.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is reported to be quite unstable, with numerous bugs and glitches affecting gameplay, particularly in the user interface. Players have noted that while some issues are being addressed by the developers, the overall experience can be frustrating due to confusing quests and a lack of clear guidance. Frequent saving is recommended to mitigate potential crashes and other technical problems.
- “It is very, very unfinished, chock full of glitches and bugs. The narrative is not well thought out or plotted, and the quest paths/directives are literally non-existent or so nuanced that it's impossible to discern them before you can even attempt to hope to achieve them.”
- “So far so good, but this game is super crunchy. Definitely a lot of bugs here, so if you're sensitive to crashes, visual glitches, or needing to save and reload regularly, I'd hold off for a few weeks/months.”
- “My major criticisms are that there is not much hand-holding with exploration (which is also a plus, but be ready to get lost), and the game is a little buggy, so save often.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its unique blend of humor and serious fantasy elements, complemented by a beautiful pixel aesthetic and engaging music. Players appreciate the cool vibes, intriguing story, and the overall immersive experience, despite some bugs and documentation issues. The combination of old-school turn-based mechanics and a variety of gameplay options enhances the atmospheric depth, making it both rewarding and enjoyable.
- “It really has its own unique atmosphere.”
- “The game has a very cool feel to it, and I really like the music and the atmosphere.”
- “This is old school turn-based dungeon crawling with a beautiful pixel aesthetic, atmosphere, and great music.”
- “There is humor, but not too much to ruin the 'serious fantasy' atmosphere.”
- “I don't have much time in this game, but it has a very cool feel to it and I really like the music and the atmosphere.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a quirky and charming sense of humor reminiscent of classic RPGs, with well-written dialogue and amusing details that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the light-hearted tone and humorous elements, such as a dog carrying a torch, which contribute to its overall appeal. However, the frequent trivial combats can detract from the enjoyment of the humor and exploration.
- “It's a fun dungeon crawler with a medieval theme, a quirky sense of humor (reminding me of, e.g., the old FF games), and turn-based combat.”
- “The dialog is funny and well written.”
- “This is a really fun CRPG with a lot of detail and humor.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is described as good but somewhat minimal compared to modern RPG standards, with a steep learning curve for understanding its various elements. While the skill-based system offers high customization and is reminiscent of the Elder Scrolls series, the engaging world-building and compelling story keep players invested throughout the gameplay. Overall, the character development is supported by a fun framework that encourages exploration and tactical combat.
- “Highly customizable character development, quick and engaging tactical turn-based combat, and a world exploration mechanic that utilizes unique skills and abilities to navigate the environment and discover treasure provides a fun framework to really dig into its many systems.”
- “While the overarching storyline and character development are both a bit minimal by modern RPG standards, the world building and lore are very well done and kept me interested throughout the 35 hours it took me to beat the game.”
- “While the overarching storyline and character development are both a bit minimal by modern RPG standards, the world-building and lore are very well done and kept me interested throughout the 35 hours it took me to beat the game.”
- “The skill-based character design is similar to Elder Scrolls but with its own unusual system, and the story is compelling.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find "Caves of Lore" emotionally engaging, as it evokes a sense of intelligence and accomplishment when uncovering its secrets. The game's charm and the developer's dedication to fixing issues create a heartwarming experience that inspires players to support its future.
- “Caves of Lore is one of the few games that made me feel smart when figuring out an obscure secret.”
- “I haven't written a Steam review before, but such an indie gem made me feel obligated to do so in hopes that a sequel is on the table.”
- “The developer fixes bugs like a mad person, and it's heartwarming.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers strong replayability due to its diverse weapon types, spells, and team compositions, alongside a fun and engaging atmosphere. Its tactical depth and RPG leveling system further enhance the experience, encouraging players to revisit the game multiple times.
- “The game has a nice atmosphere and cool characters, along with great replayability due to the variety of weapon types, spells, and possible team compositions.”
- “Fun to play from the start; it has good tactical and strategic depth, as well as great RPG leveling depth that adds to its replay value.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly and provides an enjoyable experience, players express frustration with certain characters, like Rycard and Merewen, who are poorly optimized in terms of stats and abilities, hindering strategic gameplay. Users desire more control over team composition to avoid being forced into using underperforming characters.
- “Runs smoothly and is super fun all around.”
- “I would love to be able to create my entire team myself, so I don't get forced into using the poorly optimized characters designed by the developers. For example, Rycard and Merewen have such bad stats that I never know what to do with them. The backstab characters don't work and just get killed by tough melee opponents, and Merewen has inexplicably low mana and a terrible distribution of stat points.”
- “The optimization of character stats is severely lacking. It's frustrating to see characters like Rycard and Merewen with such poor attributes that they become almost unusable in tough situations.”
- “I feel like the game forces you to use characters that are not well-optimized, leading to a frustrating experience. The stat distribution for some characters makes them ineffective in combat.”