Cave Story

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

Generally favorable reviews- based on 132 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 104 out of 132
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 132
  3. Negative: 17 out of 132

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  1. Oceanicus
    Feb 4, 2013
    10
    One of the greatest games ever, now for download on the eShop, this great title looks even better with the 3D effect that make the sprites come to life even more. One of the jewels in the indie department. Get it now!
  2. xxAcesHighxx
    Mar 2, 2014
    9
    Cave Story is a genuinely timeless -- and utterly sublime -- 2D adventure that really should be experienced by as many core gamers as possible. But nearly eighteen months since it's NA release, why is it still not available on the EU eShop? And and while I'm at it, Cave Story really needs to come to the Wii U eShop too. I own it on pretty much every platform on which it's ever beenCave Story is a genuinely timeless -- and utterly sublime -- 2D adventure that really should be experienced by as many core gamers as possible. But nearly eighteen months since it's NA release, why is it still not available on the EU eShop? And and while I'm at it, Cave Story really needs to come to the Wii U eShop too. I own it on pretty much every platform on which it's ever been released, and moving forward, I intend to continue that trend. Yes, it really is *that* good.… Expand
  3. SirKirbyThe4th
    Jun 30, 2014
    9
    Awesome game! Though I only ever beat it on easy...... ONCE I have gotten to the end on normal mode, but I can never get past Misery, and even IF I beat her, I will most defiantly die on the Doctor. I even made it through the hard cave.... thing (whatever its called) to get here!
  4. SlashX
    Jan 29, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the best 2D platformer I've played, tied with Megaman X. The controls are smooth, the mechanics are solid, the game is beautiful, the music makes me orgasm whenever I listen to it, the plot is gripping, and the challenge is PERFECT. This game is, above all, memorable. I can sing any song from this game if you tell me where it plays. I can remember how many times I attempted the Sacred Grounds: 68 tries, 20 to Ballos, 15 to second form, 8 to third, and, of course, one win. I just...
    Love it so much.
    And it was made by one dude? YESSS.    … Expand
  5. Darrisbob1
    Nov 5, 2012
    9
    Cave Story is what happens when a labor of love becomes an all endearing project. Originally a indie PC title out of Japan, Cave Story has since been released officially on PC with extra's and new music. It also received a 3DS physical release with loads of extra's and a new graphics engine. This release is just the bare-bones version you can get for free on the PC, but the price to playCave Story is what happens when a labor of love becomes an all endearing project. Originally a indie PC title out of Japan, Cave Story has since been released officially on PC with extra's and new music. It also received a 3DS physical release with loads of extra's and a new graphics engine. This release is just the bare-bones version you can get for free on the PC, but the price to play it portable is $10. Is it worth it? In my opinion, yes. Cave Story is a special kind of game with a very old-school feel. The platforming is fun and challenging, the weapons are upgradeable and interchangeable, the enemies are varied and challenging, and the art style is glorious 16-bit heaven. It feels like someone pulled this game out of the SNES era in a very good way. My personal opinion would be to try and get the physical version for the 3DS, but this one is easier to get, cheaper (but without any extras), and just as good. 9/10… Expand
  6. ahnj88
    Aug 14, 2014
    10
    probably the best indie game there is.

    gameplay: so f***ing addictive 10
    graphics: beautiful (yes i love 8-16 bits visuals more than the high-tech stuff we have now) 10
    sounds: amazing 10
  7. RafaelDB464
    Jun 24, 2015
    9
    this game could have been more Longer... because of how AWESOME it is!

    I loved the Retro Graphics, The Metroidvania Exploration, the Soundtrack, Gameplay and the story can in the beginning be Lazy and meh... but then becomes kind of dark...

    one of the best 3DS eShop games to Date
  8. Grichfive
    Nov 16, 2017
    10
    Para mi este juego tiene un gran significado, un hombre que libero esto al mundo por su dedicación y no por el motivo del dinero, un precursor del movimiento indie y uno de los mayores exponentes de la historia de los videojuegos, su historia aunque con detalles y huecos argumentales es una de las mejores que vi, solo me duele que esta obra no tenga una pre-cuela o secuela y si estaPara mi este juego tiene un gran significado, un hombre que libero esto al mundo por su dedicación y no por el motivo del dinero, un precursor del movimiento indie y uno de los mayores exponentes de la historia de los videojuegos, su historia aunque con detalles y huecos argumentales es una de las mejores que vi, solo me duele que esta obra no tenga una pre-cuela o secuela y si esta secuela existiese no creo que pueda superar tan fácil a esta obra de arte.… Expand
  9. Killua
    Aug 10, 2014
    10
    Him - "Cave Story is better than Metroid"

    Me ( die-hard Metroid fan ) - *cocks gun* "whadju say?"

    *shows me game* I beat it in a casual week.

    *head explodes. mind blown*

    Him - "You actually made this vague crappy dialogue a full review?"

    Me - *still dead*
  10. 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
  11. ptonyoliver
    Aug 1, 2016
    9
    Among Indie games, Cave Story became an instant favorite. It is a game made with love. Many may feel unsatisfied because of the 8 bit style, but it is amazing how deep this game can make you addicted to it, smile at the fun scenes and feel threatened or sad when danger is near with said style. It is one of the few games I can gladly sit down and play from beginning to end just for the funAmong Indie games, Cave Story became an instant favorite. It is a game made with love. Many may feel unsatisfied because of the 8 bit style, but it is amazing how deep this game can make you addicted to it, smile at the fun scenes and feel threatened or sad when danger is near with said style. It is one of the few games I can gladly sit down and play from beginning to end just for the fun of it. That being said, it is a challenge. If you aim for the hardest modes this game can offer, make sure your room's window is at least closed so your 3ds won't fly outside when you rage throw it... Because you will.… Expand
  12. hustlin
    Aug 13, 2016
    0
    undertale platformer sequel from 2005 for the nintendo ds don't buy undertale sucks and so do undertale platformers don't buy can't just make a sequel to undertale and make it a platformer wtf dude
  13. lLotek
    Oct 14, 2014
    10
    I never cried while playing a game, but with Cave Story, i came close. While playing, you learn to love the characters and many little secrets make it worth playing through multiple times. I died pretty often while playing, but i would not say that the game is too hard, there are just maybe too much instakill-spikes. This is probably one of the best Indie games ever.
  14. Buckybomb
    Dec 8, 2014
    9
    If you've played the freeware/wii version before, you'll find it tough to see at first. Quote is literally a 10x10 square of pixels, and can sometimes be hard to see.
    The controls feel nice, but I often used the directional keys because of an imprecise up aiming with the circle pad.
    The music is fantastic and essentially one of the best things of this game by far. The gameplay feel very    If you've played the freeware/wii version before, you'll find it tough to see at first. Quote is literally a 10x10 square of pixels, and can sometimes be hard to see.
    The controls feel nice, but I often used the directional keys because of an imprecise up aiming with the circle pad.
    The music is fantastic and essentially one of the best things of this game by far.
    The gameplay feel very metroid-ish.
    It has a lot of replay-ability because there are multiple endings, each with individual differences.
    However, each playthrough should take an avid gamer about 3-4 hours (if they get the bad ending)
    I say it's worth your time, however, because the jukebox feature is fun and I enjoyed the 3D touches during boss fights.
    Kudos, Nicalis.    … Expand
  15. WizardPig
    Nov 19, 2015
    10
    In my personal opinion not only one of the most influential games for the indie game genre, but the best game ever made. Few games have reached the tier of mastery that Cave Story resides on, and few more ever will. The fact that it was made by one determined guy is very impressive and you really can feel all the love, heart, and soul he put into the game to make it the masterpiece it isIn my personal opinion not only one of the most influential games for the indie game genre, but the best game ever made. Few games have reached the tier of mastery that Cave Story resides on, and few more ever will. The fact that it was made by one determined guy is very impressive and you really can feel all the love, heart, and soul he put into the game to make it the masterpiece it is today. Mind blowing soundtrack that really gets you involved in the game and a fantastic and gripping story that feels real and natural. The whole game doesn't circle around you, and you feel along for the ride changing whatever you can to benefit the greater good. The world that the game creates is deep and involving and leaves much to the imagination. Cave Story's characters are colorful and diverse, ranging from the rabbit-like people called mimigas to the humans residing on the island. I won't spoil anything but my first time playing the game I was really worried that my favorite character was going to die. Every time something little happened to her I jumped. With death and despair all around me I felt like she was the only thing pulling me through and motivating me to keep going. I won't tell what eventually happens, but it is quite unexpected. The game is, on top of all that, the perfect length, not too long and not too short. I have played through the game 15+ times and I am ready to do it again. Cave Story has been and will most likely always be my favorite game of all time and I will absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, deep, and heartfelt experience. If I could give it higher than a ten I would.… Expand
  16. ReturnofJerry
    Jun 21, 2016
    9
    The original indie game

    It is widely known that Cave Story was created and developed by one person known simply as Pixel. However, beyond that, playing the game is very rewarding. The game features an engaging story, catchy, music, and a great sense of game feel. It also features multiple endings, challenge modes, and other surprises that I won't spoil here. For any fan of indie games,    The original indie game

    It is widely known that Cave Story was created and developed by one person known simply as Pixel. However, beyond that, playing the game is very rewarding. The game features an engaging story, catchy, music, and a great sense of game feel. It also features multiple endings, challenge modes, and other surprises that I won't spoil here. For any fan of indie games, it's a must have. Before there was Undertale or Braid, there was Cave Story. Maybe avoid it if you don't like platformers. The only real critique I have (and it's one that is made frequently of the game) is that the learning curve (especially when trying to get the secret ending) is rather steep. However, it's beatable and definitely a piece of gaming history.    … Expand
  17. Perivoje
    Jun 20, 2019
    1
    Game sucks ass platforming in this game is just ridiculous and the fact that when you get hit by a enemy and you lose a level of the weapon sucks the soundtrack is good but the game is not this makes cave story one of the worst games i've ever played
  18. Keitan
    Dec 5, 2020
    10
    Uno de los mejores y mas desafiantes plataformeros 2D que haya jugado sin lugar a dudas, la historia, el diseño de niveles, el diseño de enemigos y jefes es sin lugar a dudas impecable, no todos son tan dificiles, pero los que si, haran que mueras varias veces antes de que puedas alzarte con la victoria, los diferentes finales que ofrece el juego (Dependiendo de las decisiones que tomes)Uno de los mejores y mas desafiantes plataformeros 2D que haya jugado sin lugar a dudas, la historia, el diseño de niveles, el diseño de enemigos y jefes es sin lugar a dudas impecable, no todos son tan dificiles, pero los que si, haran que mueras varias veces antes de que puedas alzarte con la victoria, los diferentes finales que ofrece el juego (Dependiendo de las decisiones que tomes) hacen que este sea bastante re-jugable y bastante desafiante (Especialmente si quieres sacar el verdadero final).

    Si eres un fan de los juegos con muy buena dificultad y buscas un desafio, definitivamente Cave Story es tu juego, es un alivio ver que con el tiempo el juego va regresando a nuevas consolas para que los nuevos jugadores puedan disfrutar de este marvilloso titulo.    … Expand
  19. CursedRicardo
    Jul 4, 2022
    0
    its a game that give me a different effect from other games its wonderful and a masterpiece

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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