Cave Story

 PC
  • Release Date: 12/20/2004 (Japan)
  • Also On: 3DS
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 62
  3. Negative: 4 out of 62
view
per page
  1. johnmosescarter
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    For a sidescrolling 3rd person shooter this game is fantastic. I'm not sure if there's a newer version to be rated, but the old one is GREAT. Bosses can be frustrating, but I think they should be. Great story and great gameplay. Very undersung.
  2. duckypwns
    Dec 9, 2011
    10
    If I had to pick a favorite game of all time, it would be hard but I'd have to say Cave Story. This is the kind of game that people call off work sick, or skip school to play. The weapons, the secrets, the bosses, the music, the story - All some of the best I've seen out of a 2D platformer. If you STILL haven't played this game yet, go play it right now. Make that your priority in life.If I had to pick a favorite game of all time, it would be hard but I'd have to say Cave Story. This is the kind of game that people call off work sick, or skip school to play. The weapons, the secrets, the bosses, the music, the story - All some of the best I've seen out of a 2D platformer. If you STILL haven't played this game yet, go play it right now. Make that your priority in life. You won't regret it.… Expand
  3. FeaxPotts
    Dec 18, 2011
    10
    Great Aesthetic, Game Design, Price (free)

    Cave Story brought me back to gaming after a long break. I was thoroughly charmed right from the beginning. The game plays and looks like a game from the 8-bit era, except that all of the pitfalls of that era have been fixed. There is no flashing screen or slowdown when there are too many moving things on screen. The enemies don't re-pop    Great Aesthetic, Game Design, Price (free)

    Cave Story brought me back to gaming after a long break. I was thoroughly charmed right from the beginning. The game plays and looks like a game from the 8-bit era, except that all of the pitfalls of that era have been fixed. There is no flashing screen or slowdown when there are too many moving things on screen. The enemies don't re-pop when you leave the screen and come back. This allows for near-perfect nostalgia: all the good parts of the aesthetic and none of the bad game limitations.
    Add to that some great game design - The game comes across as very well edited. The levels, plot and items progress together. By the finale, you should feel like a pro with the items at your disposal, which you will need in order to win. On top of it all, it is chock full of easter eggs, and is free to download. What more could you want?    … Expand
  4. aditya1101
    Jan 5, 2018
    8
    Easily one of the greatest freeware games every created. Nowadays we expect greatness out of indie games, but when Cave Story came out it didn't have very many peers. The gameplay is enthralling, with a super interesting and fun core mechanic buoyed by great movement, amazing enemy/character design, and an awesome selection of weapons.
  5. Howrus
    Nov 26, 2011
    9
    If old sprite graphics doesn't scare you - then this is very good game to play.
    it's Metroid-like 2-D adventure with huge map, hidden locations, power-ups that allow you to reach new locations and etc.
  6. Coffeehauz
    Mar 22, 2013
    9
    Pretty much every aspect of this game is PERFECT. The jumps feel smooth and predictable, the shooting is very mega man-ish (and don't get me started on how awesome boosting yourself up with a machine gun is), and the leveling up system feels very balanced and fair. Only complaint is that sometimes the action of the game is dampened by having 100 enemies who are super easy, instead of 1 orPretty much every aspect of this game is PERFECT. The jumps feel smooth and predictable, the shooting is very mega man-ish (and don't get me started on how awesome boosting yourself up with a machine gun is), and the leveling up system feels very balanced and fair. Only complaint is that sometimes the action of the game is dampened by having 100 enemies who are super easy, instead of 1 or 2 challenging ones. There's no reason NOT to buy this game. IT'S FREE.… Expand
  7. Aquaris475
    May 25, 2013
    10
    Cave Story for PC. This 2004 freeware game manages to excel in nearly every category it's in. The plot is amazing thanks to the well-crafted characters and presentation. The soundtrack is great and memorable, and the gameplay is the most unique that I have ever played. The graphics make the game a retro gamer's dream come true. The control for the game is excellent. All the keys respondCave Story for PC. This 2004 freeware game manages to excel in nearly every category it's in. The plot is amazing thanks to the well-crafted characters and presentation. The soundtrack is great and memorable, and the gameplay is the most unique that I have ever played. The graphics make the game a retro gamer's dream come true. The control for the game is excellent. All the keys respond well to button inputs and it feels natural for a PC platform game. The way to find health capsules, missile upgrades, new weapons, and story items feels especially great, making Cave Story feel a lot like Metroid, one of Cave Story's inspirations. As legendary as Cave Story is, I must admit it's only 99% perfect. The process of getting this can be frustrating with its logic and difficulty spike in the last area. However, it's all worth it when you get the best ending, or even the normal ending, which is just as satisfying. Another issue is backtracking. This game makes you backtrack to previous areas from time to time, and it can get repetitive at times. Best ending process and backtracking aside, Cave Story is a legendary game that should serve as inspiration for other indie games. With its legendary characters, story, gameplay, and soundtrack, I can easily say that the original Cave Story is the best game I have ever played, and I would definitely recommend it.

    In this review, I would also like to mention the ports of Cave Story I have played, rather than re-do an entire review on them. The Wiiware version of the game is great. the updated graphics and soundtrack are great, and the additional modes in the game make it a definitive version of Cave Story. if you liked the PC game, I highly recommend trying out the Wiiware version of the game. As for comparison to the PC, I prefer the original PC version, but that may be because it has a bit more of a nostalgic feel to me. but that's just my opinion.
    The 3DS E-Shop version is pretty good as well. this version meshes the additional modes from the dsiware and plus versions of the game. while I do like this, I can't help but feel the controls for the game can be a bit clunky at times. Aside from this, I think you should give this one a try.
    The 3DS retail version, surprisingly, is my least favorite port of the game. the way enhanced graphics are great, but I feel the game is nowhere near worth its price tag of $40. this version of the game only includes 1 additional mode, not counting the mode allowing you to turn on 2D character sprites. the game also made me really confused by adding brand new areas(no, I am not kidding). more life capsules and more missile upgrades have bee added to the game, making Cave Story in this port a lot easier. if you are looking for this port, try finding it for less than $20.    … Expand
  8. herpaderpityder
    Jun 10, 2015
    10
    This game is easily the best freeware game ever made and its just amazing with its great gameplay, music and story.
    What is even better than all that is that the game is free so to the guy who made this, you are a great bloke
  9. kevenandsoki
    Dec 18, 2020
    10
    crystalline perfection. i recommend this game to every single person i know it's that good. please play it. it's free (the original 2004 pc version, i mean)
  10. Infinity868
    May 12, 2023
    10
    An amazing, timeless game that tells a powerful story and creates likeable characters in a surprisingly short time. Everything from the combat to the plot is both simple and brilliant at the same time. You'll almost certainly feel for the characters as you progress alongside the story, make choices, and listen to the wonderful soundtrack. What's even more impressive is that the entireAn amazing, timeless game that tells a powerful story and creates likeable characters in a surprisingly short time. Everything from the combat to the plot is both simple and brilliant at the same time. You'll almost certainly feel for the characters as you progress alongside the story, make choices, and listen to the wonderful soundtrack. What's even more impressive is that the entire experience was created by one man, and Cave Story, while obscure today, really deserves it's place as the grandfather of all indie games, being one of the first. The only thing that will interfere from your enjoyment of the game is it's occasionally brutal difficulty, especially in true ending.… Expand