There Was A Caveman

About

There Was A Caveman is a single player arcade role playing game. It was developed by Nauris Amatnieks and was released on December 2, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"There Was A Caveman" is a challenging physics-based platformer where you navigate through prehistoric levels using creative problem-solving and precise timing. Play as a caveman with a unique hammer, using its versatile abilities to swing, jump, and smash your way through treacherous environments filled with obstacles and enemies. Collect fruit to restore health and find hidden treasures to unlock new levels, but beware of deadly traps and enemies waiting to thwart your progress.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 96 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

replayability1 negative mentions

The game features charming pixel art and a nostalgic retro aesthetic that appeals to fans of classic platformers.
Gameplay includes a variety of mechanics such as double jumps, dashes, and unique boss fights that keep the experience engaging.
The game offers a fair challenge with infinite lives and frequent checkpoints, allowing players to learn from their mistakes without excessive frustration.

Controls can feel floaty and imprecise, leading to frustrating deaths due to poorly designed hitboxes and platforming challenges.
The level design is inconsistent, with some areas requiring near-perfect execution and featuring unfair enemy placements that can feel punishing.
The lack of a save feature forces players to complete the game in one sitting, which can be a significant drawback for those who prefer more casual play.

gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
60%
17%
The gameplay is generally described as simple and reminiscent of classic platformers, featuring basic mechanics like fighting monsters, platforming, and boss battles. While some players appreciate the level design and variety, others criticize the controls and difficulty spikes, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite its retro charm and potential, many feel the gameplay lacks polish and depth, which may deter some players.
- “These mechanics work together to create a fast-paced rhythm of movement and attack that rewards timing and spatial awareness.”
- “I honestly don't know why this game has such a low Steam rating; it's very well balanced, has a ton of variety and personality to its environments, and it actually makes use of its themes by adding gameplay/platforming mechanics based on the biomes to truly enhance the setting.”
- “Gameplay is fun; you have double jumps, a dash that can also be used in the air, and the game mixes things up with climbing, flying, bouncing, etc.”
- “There are no major upgrades, branching paths, or narrative developments to encourage extended play beyond mastering the mechanics and completing all stages.”
- “The controls are unpolished, as is the gameplay; the difficulty curve in this game is non-existent.”
- “You’re pretty much pummeled with unfair, not fun gameplay from the instant you start the game.”
graphics
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
57%
10%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their retro aesthetic, featuring crisp and colorful pixel art that evokes nostalgia for the 16-bit era. While many reviewers appreciate the attention to detail and smooth animations, some criticize the artwork as flat or unimpressive, suggesting that the overall visual experience may not appeal to everyone. Despite mixed opinions on the level design and controls, the graphics remain a highlight for fans of the genre.
- “The pixel graphics are crisp, colorful, and animated with a surprising degree of smoothness for a solo-developed title.”
- “Perfect pixel graphics, smooth controls, super level design, cool abilities and interesting giant endbosses make this a must-play.”
- “Generally speaking, this is a derivative platformer with excellent, detailed pixel art work.”
- “The thing about retro pixel games is that they are meant to appear the same as games in the 1990s, because this is simple to do and you don't need to have any artistic talent and you don't need to hire an artist or anyone competent at computer graphics.”
- “Sometimes, an indie dev will be so bad at video game graphics that they can't even get the pixel graphics right, so their game looks even worse than the pixel graphics from the 1990s that they are ripping off.”
- “A lot of people are going on about the graphics, but I feel the pixel artwork is a bit flat and unimpressive overall.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
74%
13%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its retro chiptune style while others find it bland or headache-inducing. Many feel that the soundtrack lacks the richness of 90s console music, with some tracks being forgettable or poorly designed for looping. Overall, the audio experience is seen as a significant downside for a portion of the player base.
- “The only nice things about the game are the graphics and music.”
- “8 = sound & music is classic retro.”
- “Graphics and soundtrack stay true to the retro theme, adding a nice touch to the game.”
- “The retro soundtrack is nails-on-the-chalkboard bad.”
- “It's seriously the worst game soundtrack I've ever heard in my life.”
- “The music ranges from forgettable to annoying, and it seems like that mainly has to do with the 'retro' style of it.”
story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The story of "There Was a Caveman" is a straightforward narrative centered around a caveman's quest to rescue his missing wife, blending elements of love and adventure. While the plot is simple and reminiscent of classic platformers, it effectively supports the gameplay, offering a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre. Overall, the story is described as basic but engaging, with some players appreciating its emotional undertones and visual storytelling elements.
- “There's a nice and simple but original story with gameplay that accommodates it well.”
- “The unfortunate love story of a lonely caveman, quite a nice old school platformer, in its pure form.”
- “The story is fairly basic, really, but level progression can sometimes be kind of cryptic.”
- “The story is about your wife/girlfriend/lover (whichever you prefer to call it) who has gone missing, and it's your job to find and rescue her.”
- “The story is okay, pretty simple, nothing to write home about; it actually has some Joe and Mac vibes, believe it or not, particularly at the last level.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by richly detailed backgrounds that evoke a sense of prehistoric mystery and danger, creating a distinctive world. However, some users feel that a more immersive soundscape could enhance the overall experience and add personality to different areas. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its depth and impact.
- “A richer or more atmospheric soundscape could have elevated the immersion and given each area more personality.”
- “I just want to give the game major props for the atmosphere.”
- “The backgrounds are rich with detail, evoking a sense of prehistoric mystery and danger that gives the world a distinctive atmosphere.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game provides a brief experience that can be completed in a few hours, which may limit its replayability for some players. However, those seeking to improve their skills may find value in replaying the game to achieve better results.
- “In terms of progression and replay value, the game offers a concise experience that can be completed in a few hours depending on skill level.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from poor optimization, which has been highlighted as a significant shortcoming by users, indicating that the developers have not effectively addressed performance issues.
- “The game is not properly optimized, and that is the failing of the developers.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is impacted by frustrating mechanics, such as inconsistent hitboxes and platforming challenges, which can detract from the player's overall experience and immersion.