The Cave Review
“The Cave” is a 2D adventure/puzzle game created by the mastermind behind “Monkey Island”, Ron Gilbert.
“The Cave” is indeed a cave, but not like any other. “The Cave” is what seems to be a tourist attraction that can talk and guide you (sort of) through the different experiences that it has to offer.
In order to navigate “The Cave” and its puzzles you will need to select 3 playable characters out of 7. The characters are: Monk, Adventurer, Hillbilly, Scientist, twins, Knight and Time Traveller. For the review I selected the Monk, Adventurer and the Knight. Each character has a unique special power that allows you to navigate differently and to areas locked to others.
I’m not really sure that there was a story but if there was it didn’t matter. I say this because I was too focused on whatever was going on in front of me or the task at hand.
There wasn’t a tutorial but instead a simple pick up and go attitude. I liked this because, to be honest, I don’t need a tutorial and I doubt anyone else would either. This is because we know how the controller works and are familiar with years of gaming on the Xbox so what you assume, is pretty much spot on for the controls.
Moving through “The Cave” is a doddle and I’m not just referring to the general terrain and controls but the puzzles too. This was a big disappointment for me because at the end of the day “The Cave” is a puzzle game created by Ron Gilbert, the name you have probably cursed many times whilst playing the brutally hard “Monkey Island”.
As mentioned above, you control 3 characters and obviously this means that they will all come in to play at some point. I liked that they all work together but I didn’t like some of the backtracking even though it was my fault on many occasions.
If you feel that you would like some help and you have a spare controller you could always get another mate or two to help out. Yes, “The Cave” has co-op but only locally….. I have no idea why people are still adding local co-op to games without the online ability, it’s 2012 for god sake, make an effort and give people what they want!
Yes “The Cave” looks great and yes “The Cave” has something about it that I love but to be honest, I’m not sure that my love was for anything more than the brilliant narration.
The voice of “The Cave” suits very well and the dark humour that comes out often is a joy but good looks and good sounds aren’t enough if you’re meant to be something more than that.
If you would like to play an adventure puzzle game, there are many more out there that are actually hard and cheaper than 1200 msp. Try the demo and see what you think but remember, the ride is very short and very easy!
7/10
Review By Wicket2961
