The Ice Caves
- April 11, 2022
- Cinnamancer Studios
Get on SteamWelcome to Death Mountain, stranger! So you want to be the new Herald of The Mountain, huh? Well, if you're any good at 2D jumpin', gun-slingin', and puzzle-solvin', maybe you should give the The Ice Caves a run for its money.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a solid foundation and enjoyable gameplay, making it fun for short play sessions.
- It features smooth controls and a nice soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
- As a free-to-play title, it offers good value and potential for future updates and expansions.
- The game is very short, with only about 10 minutes of content available, leaving players wanting more.
- There are significant issues with gameplay mechanics, such as a useless shotgun and lack of a restart or lives system.
- The game feels incomplete, lacking variety in enemies, weapons, and overall depth, making it feel more like a demo than a full game.
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics received mixed reviews, with some praising the smoothness and quality of the visuals, while others criticized the reliance on outdated retro pixel art, deeming it unacceptable for modern standards. While some players found the art style enjoyable and suitable for casual play, there is a strong sentiment that the game could benefit from a more contemporary graphical overhaul.
“The graphics are great and it is a perfect game to sink a couple of minutes in.”
“A fun little game, gameplay is fluid and smooth and graphics are nice.”
“Really nice and the artwork is good; I would recommend it to a friend 10/10.”
“This would improve things a bit, leaving only the retro pixel graphics in need of some serious justification.”
“And, if the devs are reading this, 'we don't know how to do 3D graphics' or 'we couldn't afford an artist' are not acceptable excuses for this crap.”
“I'll be glad to revisit it later... but somehow I think that no matter how much feedback is provided, the retro pixel 'art' (it's 2020... 2020... make the lazy retro crap go away) will not be fixed or replaced with acceptable graphics for this decade.”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, described as fun and enjoyable, though some players find it repetitive due to the limited soundtrack. While the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience, there are calls for more variety in future updates to prevent monotony. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding its repetitiveness.
“A fun and at the same time very interesting game with wonderful music.”
“Some things I really enjoyed in particular are the super smooth movement and the amazing (although a tad bit repetitive) soundtrack. I hope that if the game gets an update, it will have more music.”
“The music is pretty good and it's fun running around shooting slimes and flying eyes with a machine gun.”
“This game has one looping soundtrack, the enemies can spawncamp you, the movement is very bad, and the aiming system could be more refined.”
“The soundtrack on repeat is a bit annoying though, but it's early access.”
“Pretty fun game, music gets a little repetitive but nothing too bad.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its fluidity and smoothness, contributing to an enjoyable experience. However, some users note that the current content is limited, suggesting a need for more gameplay elements to fully realize its potential. Overall, the game shows promise with its addictive qualities and appealing design.
“A fun little game; gameplay is fluid and smooth, and the graphics are nice.”
“An excellent game with addictive gameplay.”
“Only a few minutes of gameplay are in the game so far, but it looks like it could be a fun game when finished.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized, with players expressing a desire for a more developed narrative and unique characters, as the current lack of story detracts from the overall experience. Some comparisons to "Cave Story" highlight the potential for a compelling narrative that could enhance the game's appeal.
“When I played this game, it gave me the same feelings I got when I played Cave Story, in a good way.”
“I wish there was a story to it.”
“No story at all; a good story can make your game score higher. Put unique characters in it.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization model is well-received as the game is free to play, which users appreciate as it avoids being perceived as a greedy cash grab.
“The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
“I appreciate that it's free to play, but the constant prompts to buy in-game currency are overwhelming.”
“While the game is enjoyable, the paywall for essential features makes it frustrating for non-paying players.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while the game requires further development, they experienced minimal glitches and found the shooting mechanics enjoyable.
