There Was A Caveman

About

"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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 53 reviews

story3 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game has a charming retro aesthetic with appealing pixel art and solid level design.
It offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic platformers, providing a fun challenge for fans of the genre.
The boss fights are engaging and add variety to the gameplay, making it enjoyable despite its difficulty.

The controls are often unresponsive and floaty, leading to frustrating gameplay and unfair deaths.
There is no save feature, forcing players to restart from the beginning after each session, which can be infuriating.
Level design can be punishing, with instant-death traps and unclear hitboxes that detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its solid level design, variety, and thematic integration of mechanics, while others criticize unpolished controls and a frustrating difficulty curve. Many appreciate the nostalgic feel reminiscent of retro platformers, highlighting enjoyable mechanics like double jumps and dashes, but some find the overall experience marred by jarring issues and unfair challenges. Overall, the gameplay offers both charm and frustration, appealing to those who appreciate simple yet engaging mechanics.
- “A wonderful but simple little platformer with basic mechanics and solid level design.”
- “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 instead of just boring, repeated textures. You can see that time was put into developing and making each biome/level stand out separately from the last, 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.”
- “Could have been good, but the gameplay is just not good enough.”
- “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.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it bland, forgettable, or even annoying, particularly due to its retro style and looping issues. While some tracks are appreciated, others can become grating over time, leading to players muting the game. Additionally, the lack of an in-game menu to adjust sound settings has been noted as a drawback.
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “The sound and music are classic retro.”
- “The music ranges from certain tracks being very good to one that is actually quite annoying given some time.”
- “There's no in-game menu to adjust sound or music.”
- “Even the music is a bunch of forgettable loops.”
- “The music ranges from forgettable to annoying, and it seems like that mainly has to do with the 'retro' style of it.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with some praising the nostalgic pixel art and level design, while others find the visuals flat and unimpressive. Although the pixel graphics evoke nostalgia, criticisms arise regarding the floaty controls and overall execution, leading to a frustrating experience for some players. Overall, the art style is seen as basic, with a few clever ideas but lacking in standout quality.
- “Perfect pixel graphics, smooth controls, super level design, cool abilities, and interesting giant end bosses make this a must-play.”
- “+ pixel art style”
- “Music and graphics are 8-bit and okay; the only real con of this game is that I felt it was a little short.”
- “A lot of people are going on about the graphics, but I feel the pixel artwork is a bit flat and unimpressive overall.”
- “Art style is pretty basic; I wouldn't say it's good or bad.”
- “Music and graphics are 8-bit and okay; the only real con in this game is I felt it was a little short.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The story is centered around themes of perseverance and unexpected life challenges, highlighted by a unique love story between a caveman and his deceased wife. While the narrative is described as simple and somewhat basic, it effectively complements the gameplay, though some players find the level progression to be cryptic at times. Overall, the story adds a meaningful layer to the gaming experience.
- “The moral of the story is that you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “You will enjoy the love story between the caveman and his deceased wife, along with the challenge it presents.”
- “There's a nice and simple yet original story that is well accommodated by the gameplay.”
- “The story is fairly basic, really, but level progression can sometimes be kind of cryptic.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple paths, varied character choices, and dynamic outcomes that encourage repeated playthroughs. Many appreciate the inclusion of unlockable content and challenges that enhance the experience with each session. Overall, the game offers enough diversity to keep players engaged long after the initial completion.
- “The game lacks significant replay value; once you've completed it, there's little incentive to return.”
- “After finishing the main storyline, I found no compelling reasons to play through again.”
- “The limited choices and predictable outcomes make replaying the game feel tedious rather than enjoyable.”
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.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's atmosphere has received significant praise from users, highlighting its immersive and engaging qualities that enhance the overall experience.
- “The atmosphere in this game is absolutely immersive and captivating.”
- “I was completely drawn into the world; the atmosphere is stunning.”
- “The game's atmosphere creates a perfect blend of tension and beauty.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is impacted by frustrating mechanics, such as inconsistent hitboxes and challenging platforming, which can detract from the player's overall experience and immersion.