The Cave

 Wii U
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 53
  3. Negative: 8 out of 53

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  1. setz
    Jan 27, 2013
    10
    This game is the first game in a LONG time that the moment I finished it I wanted to instantly play through it again. See you can only pick 3 out of the 7 characters each time and each has different puzzles throughout. This game is brilliant, the puzzles are tough but dont require digging around online for solutions (if you think about it you can figure it out) and the humor is top-notch.This game is the first game in a LONG time that the moment I finished it I wanted to instantly play through it again. See you can only pick 3 out of the 7 characters each time and each has different puzzles throughout. This game is brilliant, the puzzles are tough but dont require digging around online for solutions (if you think about it you can figure it out) and the humor is top-notch. A must pick up for puzzle/platformer fans.… Expand
  2. Lovejit
    Jan 23, 2013
    9
    Delightfully, The Cave is, in fact, a pure, puzzle-solving adventure game rife with funny lines and chuckle-inducing non sequiturs despite trying to disguise itself as a side-scrolling platformer. It doesn
  3. LJay
    Jan 23, 2013
    10
    The Cave is an adventure game in which the player can control three of seven characters at once as they explore a mysterious cave while solving puzzles. Players can also explore the game with up to two friends in co-op mode. The cave itself speaks and does chuckle you. This sometimes can be tricky but being a challenging game I love to figure things out. It might need a patch update as IThe Cave is an adventure game in which the player can control three of seven characters at once as they explore a mysterious cave while solving puzzles. Players can also explore the game with up to two friends in co-op mode. The cave itself speaks and does chuckle you. This sometimes can be tricky but being a challenging game I love to figure things out. It might need a patch update as I hate the way they jump but overall an amazing experience.… Expand
  4. Carcass2000
    Jan 31, 2013
    9
    The first thing I would say to someone considering buying The Cave is this:  it's not for everyone. If you already beat New Super Mario Bros. and are looking for a platformer fix to hold you over until Rayman Legends comes out, this is probably not the game for you.  It is not a game where the point is to run to the end as fast as possible.  It truly is anThe first thing I would say to someone considering buying The Cave is this:  it's not for everyone. If you already beat New Super Mario Bros. and are looking for a platformer fix to hold you over until Rayman Legends comes out, this is probably not the game for you.  It is not a game where the point is to run to the end as fast as possible.  It truly is an adventure/puzzle game masquerading as a platformer.  Granted the character movement is almost exclusively platforming, but there aren't any true jumping puzzles or difficult jumps to make.  The challenge comes in when you have to find the right item to activate a character interaction or open new pathways. As simple as that may sound, you may find yourself wandering aimlessly through a level over and over trying to find the one minute action or item that will allow
    you to progress.  And that really is what is so great about the game:  it makes you think.  You literally have to explore every inch of every level over and over and think of every possibility until something finally works.  Depending on character selection, there are multiple
    ways to accomplish goals, which makes each experience unique to a certain extent.

    The three "player" selection makes for interesting gameplay mechanics, and obviously since each character has a level unique to them ( for example, the knight has a castle level), it means the game needs to be played at least 3 times to experience every level.  There is a certain amount of backtracking, but unless you get stuck on a puzzle for an extended period of time, it's not really an issue having to move each character individually.  If you pass a level and venture further into the cave, the other two characters will respawn into the current level.

    There is a multiplayer function which can be entertaining, but it can also be frustrating.  Hitting the "character select" ( the d pad) on any controller will give that player control of the screen, meaning that the other players can and will get left behind.  This is easily remedied by the other player taking control of the screen and catching up.  However, I don't recommend playing this game with someone you are prone to argue with, or someone without patience or the understanding that the whole point of this game is exploration.  It truly does require you to work together, and there will be times when only one character can play at a time, leaving the others as spectators.

    The gamepad offers little additional features beyond character selection, but it is a nice feature all together, especially when playing with someone who is not experienced with console gaming.  Unfortunately, the game does not offer "Classic Controller" support, which means for multiplayer you're either going to have to fork out for a Wii U Controller Pro, or use the Wii Remote+ Nunchuk.  The wii remote+ nunchuk feels strange on a platformer, and will take some getting used to as all "action" buttons are going to be the triggers on the the Wii remote and nunchuk.

    Overall, this is a great, fun, wacky game that is an excellent throwback to the Lucasarts adventure games.  It doesn't pack quite the same punch as say, Grim Fandango.  I never laughed out loud, but some of the jokes made me smirk, or on a few occasions giggle.  There are a few bugs in the game that can be frustrating, such as items not working or characters getting stuck in the floor, but they are so few and far between that you will forgive having to restart the software a few times.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best Wii U Game of 2013
34
#34 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2013
36
#36 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Cubed3
    Mar 9, 2013
    60
    With The Cave, SEGA and Double Fine have brought the world a very intriguing character-switching puzzle adventure that glows thanks to its superb presentation values and dark humour. Unfortunately, though, there are some gameplay frustrations that mar the experience, which proves to be a crying shame given how potentially great it could have been.
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  2. Eurogamer Portugal
    Mar 1, 2013
    80
    The Cave is not the best work from Ron Gilbert, but marks its return to form. More than a point'n click, this is a platform game with puzzles that while not sophisticated, reveals highly ingenious structures and problems in which you’ll lose your mental clarity and sharpness.
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  3. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    Feb 28, 2013
    72
    This flawed gem could have been a classic to rival the games that inspired it. Like its characters, it's well intentioned, but ultimately commits too many sins.
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