Cave Story 3D
2011
- platform
- adventure
- action
- fantasy
- single player
The story
Having received tremendous acclaim in its previous releases on PC and WiiWare, Cave Story, an indie side scrolling 2D action game, now makes its way into an all new dimension with Cave Story 3D for Nintendo 3DS. At once both a throwback to classic 2D action platformers and also the potential future of the genre, Cave Story 3D blends tight controls, superb level design, and excellent story and presentation to deliver a memorable, addicting retro experience!
What it’s like
Chunky pixel sprites sit on layered, hand-painted backdrops, and the 3DS's stereoscopic depth lifts foreground rock, bats and hanging vines forward, so the sideways platforming feels like peering into a lit diorama. Cave interiors glow in cool blues, mossy greens and dusky purples, broken now and then by a burst of open sky that feels like a rare exhale. The chiptune score is bright and propulsive in battle and wistful in quiet passages, with long stretches of dripping water and low ambient hum between fights. Pacing is brisk but unhurried: exploration loops back on itself, and a new weapon unlocking a sealed route gives a satisfying click. The vibe is nostalgic, earnest and quietly melancholy, suited to a late-evening session in bed or a comfort replay. Combat is frequent and cartoonish, with enemies bursting into pixel puffs and large, punishing bosses; there is repeated death and some sombre talk of loss, but no gore and no sexual content. Its characters move from wary isolation toward loyalty and hard-won hope. It is for players who want a tight, retro-styled action adventure with heart, fair challenge and a gentle sense of wonder.
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