Cave Story

 3DS
  • Publisher: Nicalis
  • Release Date: Oct 4, 2012
  • Also On: PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 108 out of 139
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 139
  3. Negative: 17 out of 139

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  1. thelonesoldier
    Mar 2, 2015
    6
    Do you like fetch quests? Do you like backtracking? Here's a breakdown of the first few hours
    *Go get the key
    *Go get the keycard *Go get the key *Go get the Jelly *Go get the bomb parts *Go get the Jelly *Go get the key *Go beat the boss *Go get the dog *Go get the dog *Go get the dog *Go get the dog *Go get the dog The first few hours of the game are very repetitive. It's    Do you like fetch quests? Do you like backtracking? Here's a breakdown of the first few hours
    *Go get the key
    *Go get the keycard
    *Go get the key
    *Go get the Jelly
    *Go get the bomb parts
    *Go get the Jelly
    *Go get the key
    *Go beat the boss
    *Go get the dog
    *Go get the dog
    *Go get the dog
    *Go get the dog
    *Go get the dog

    The first few hours of the game are very repetitive. It's obvious the gameplay was heavily inspired by Metroid, even featuring some similar weapons and powerups, but the extremely tedious back-tracking and constant fetch quests make the first half of the game stale, and fighting your way back and forth across the same area six times is nothing more than a chore. The levels are very linear, so the game lacks the sense of exploration that you get from Metroid.

    Later on, the game gets much more interesting. The jetpack and machine gun (both of which enable you to fly, the latter by shooting downward) add a new dimension to the gameplay, not to mention that after the jetpack the fetch-quests stop and there is no more backtracking.

    There are additional optional regions after you reach the first finish, which I haven't gotten into yet. Overall, I think it's safe to say that Cave Story is eventually a good game, but be prepared for the first few hours to suck.

    Oh, and the music in the 3DS version is way too loud and you can't adjust it or turn it off.    … Expand
  2. PPko
    Feb 11, 2023
    7
    An indie darling that I didn't play until 2022. With so many metroidvanias today, Cave Story feels a tad quaint but still does enough to set itself apart - particularly with the gun-leveling system. The pixel-art graphics are simple but nicely drawn and the music is catchy. The game never felt too hard for me - even the tougher boss challenges could be overcome after a few honest attempts.An indie darling that I didn't play until 2022. With so many metroidvanias today, Cave Story feels a tad quaint but still does enough to set itself apart - particularly with the gun-leveling system. The pixel-art graphics are simple but nicely drawn and the music is catchy. The game never felt too hard for me - even the tougher boss challenges could be overcome after a few honest attempts. The plot, while good, never gets in the way keeping focus on exploring, platforming, running and gunning.… Expand
  3. Sou_o_Storm
    Dec 20, 2022
    5
    PT: Simplesmente um dos melhores jogos que já joguei na vida! O mundo foi incrivelmente bem construído, a gameplay é simples, mas viciante, a história é cativante e os personagens não ficam atrás! Eu digo com todas as palavras, esse jogo é uma obra de arte, e não precisou de gráficos realistas para isso.
    EN: Simply one of the best games I've ever played! The world was incredibly well    PT: Simplesmente um dos melhores jogos que já joguei na vida! O mundo foi incrivelmente bem construído, a gameplay é simples, mas viciante, a história é cativante e os personagens não ficam atrás! Eu digo com todas as palavras, esse jogo é uma obra de arte, e não precisou de gráficos realistas para isso.
    EN: Simply one of the best games I've ever played! The world was incredibly well built, the gameplay is simple but addictive, the story is captivating and the characters are second to none! I say it with all my words, this game is a work of art, and it didn't need realistic graphics for it.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Cubed3
    Mar 11, 2013
    90
    It is a well-designed, challenging, fun, evocative experience that rewards multiple play-throughs.
    Read full review
  2. Destructoid
    Oct 5, 2012
    95
    This new release has just as much content as any other version of the game, if not more. Overall, it stands right alongside Cave Story+ as one of the best, if not the best, version of Cave Story to date.
    Read full review
  3. Nintendojo
    Oct 3, 2012
    91
    Minor complaints aside, it's great to see an enhanced version of Cave Story available on eShop. The stereoscopic 3D adds a little depth, which is nice, and the game controls as wonderfully as ever. But once again, choosing the best version depends on personal preference.
    Read full review
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