Colossal Cave

 PC
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 4 out of 11
  1. GamingTrend
    Jan 25, 2023
    80
    Colossal Cave is a fascinating game, and this modern remake brings the wonder of a text adventure to life in full 3D. It’s streamlined with a few updates, while still keeping the spirit of the original. The game has more than a few issues, but is well worth playing for a magical adventure.
  2. Softpedia
    Jan 25, 2023
    80
    Colossal Cave is an intriguing experience that might struggle to find an audience. I’m sure that people who played the classic title will like to see how it looks in 3D or VR. It is also clear some of its charm is lost in the transition. Modern gamers might be turned off by the relatively limited mechanics and narrative. A solid dose of nostalgic appreciation is required to keep going after a few good runs.
  3. Worth Playing
    Jan 25, 2023
    80
    Colossal Cave is a good adventure game that will appeal more to those with some nostalgia for classics and classic sensibilities. The limited inventory system and the slightly obtuse puzzles might not gel if you've only been exposed to modern adventure games. That said, the sense of exploration is still strong, and the point system gives the game some replayability, which is something rarely seen in the genre. The reimagining of the original game works well, and genre fans who are keen to see where it all began should pick this up.
  5. Gamer Escape
    Jan 25, 2023
    60
    It’s a very level game—enjoyable at first, but not very exciting after you’ve spent several hours with it. When you combine this with its emphasis on replayability over length and a paucity of mechanical revision, you get a lacking game with a highly contradictory price tag. These drawbacks are hefty, and they cause 2023’s Colossal Cave to be a difficult recommendation for those who aren’t already enamored with its text adventure roots.
  6. God is a Geek
    Jan 25, 2023
    60
    Colossal Cave is a love letter to the 1976 original which fans will enjoy, but newcomers will likely be confused, intimidated, and frustrated by its design.
  7. PC Gamer
    Jan 25, 2023
    55
    Only for nostalgists and those who love getting lost on spelunking holidays.
  8. Adventure Gamers
    Jan 26, 2023
    50
    Despite a lovingly crafted 3D reimagining, Colossal Cave recreates the original too closely to appeal to much more than game history buffs and nostalgia seekers – or very patient players who don’t mind repetitive, arduous gameplay.
  9. GamesHub
    Jan 25, 2023
    40
    Perhaps Colossal Cave is best left buried, remembered only by those for whom it opened eyes to a new medium. And another thing: instant vending machine hot chocolate really is quite disgusting.
  10. Metro GameCentral
    Jan 25, 2023
    40
    A misguided attempt to recreate one of gaming’s oldest and most influential classics, that’s let down by outdated visuals and prehistoric gameplay elements.
  11. Multiplayer.it
    Jan 25, 2023
    40
    Colossal Cave reminded us of those fathers who, having found their old toy in the attic, repair it and clean it up and then give it to their children, who don't want to play with it.
  12. Slant Magazine
    Jan 25, 2023
    40
    Colossal Cave can hardly be called a modernization, because it would have felt antiquated even if it came out 20 years ago.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

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  1. UploadVR
    Feb 2, 2023
    The audience that will find something valuable with this VR reimagining is incredibly small, mostly split between players with experience of the original or those curious about video game history. Even for them, the VR design choices will be jarring and hamper the core Colossal Cave experience, rather than enabling it. That audience, however, does not include those looking for a satisfying adventure in VR and that’s why you should probably steer clear of Colossal Cave until further notice… At least in VR, anyway. [Avoid]

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PC Game of 2023
9
#9 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 9 out of 13
  1. Pmstz
    Jan 30, 2023
    6
    OK game.
    Just for fans.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  2. miyagami
    Feb 3, 2023
    9
    This games is a special game created by a special breed of people. People who once led the industry in game design and pioneered technologiesThis games is a special game created by a special breed of people. People who once led the industry in game design and pioneered technologies we now take for granted. People who came out of retirement to create a game that was as close to a perfect recreation of the game that is responsible for the entire adventure genre of gaming. People who I personally believe are the only reason this game is as good as it is.
    I went into this game with a full understanding of the game it comes from. I can say with all honesty, it is a faithful game interpretation that unless you have an old microcomputer laying around or understand emulation, will be the best chance of ever playing the original.
    It is hard, it is obtuse, it is everything the original was, but with beautiful graphics. It will make you feel alone, it will try you, it will confuse you, it may even anger you--but if you beat it, it will give you a sense of accomplishment most modern games will never give you.

    The graphics are beautiful for a AA game release. You will see some problems. If the tree in BOTW bugged you, the trees here may too. There are seams in some textures--which I am hopeful they will work out in future patches. The creature textures are gorgeous--a little shiny in a few but scales reflect light more than rocks--though the movement of a few creatures are a bit wonky. But, hey, if that is your only complaint, you are doing quite well.
    Ambient sound shines. Dialogue is very well done--especially the narrator who reads the original 70s era text to you. When I first played it I thought the gain might have been a bit too high on a few things, but I adjusted easily enough.
    Controls are great, with two options. One is the traditional point and click controls like you would find in classic 90s Sierra Adventures. The other is WASD and Mouse, which is more modern and more familiar to me. I played with that setup. I did not try for a controller, but if it is not there, I would hope they add it in in future patches.

    As for negative, I only have one real thing to say. This game is not for everyone. If you thrive on needing others in your game with you, know this is a single player game only. It is spelunking a cave. You are alone almost the whole time. Encounters are rare as most of the game is exploring and finding your way through puzzles. This is a feature as the original game was built that way. If you can not handle a game designed that way, you will not like this game. If you are okay with that kind of challenge, or you grew up on microcomputer text adventures and/or classic graphic adventures from Sierra or Lucas Arts--then this game is calling out your name.

    My overall advice: Buy it. Play it. Beat it. Do something only a rare segment of the world has done: conquer the Colossal Cave.    … Full Review »
  3. Sglauser10
    Jan 27, 2023
    1
    This is pretty bad. Yes they were legendary creators, but the Williams have no business making a modern game.
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