Cavescape

About Cavescape

Cavescape is a procedurally generated adventure-strategy game from GargantuaGames, released in March 2026 for PC, Android, and iOS. You play Fred, a miner who falls into a deadly cave system after his dog is kidnapped by a mythical monster. The game blends platforming, exploration, and resource management. Using a grappling hook and pickaxe, you navigate shifting environments, dismantle terrain, and battle creatures. Co-op and multiplayer modes let teams tackle caves together. The title leans into tight mechanics and unpredictable layouts, making each session feel distinct. It’s a blend of puzzle-solving and combat, with a focus on upgrading tools to survive deeper layers.

Gameplay

Cavescape’s core loop revolves around grappling, swinging, and methodically breaking through destructible terrain. You swing between ledges, dodge enemy projectiles, and use the pickaxe to carve paths or weaken bosses. Combat requires timing: dodge attacks, counter with charged strikes, and conserve resources. Multiplayer modes add coordination, like sharing grappling points to reach new areas. Sessions often last 30, 60 minutes, balancing exploration with survival. The procedural generation ensures no two runs feel the same, though repeated playthroughs let you refine strategies. Boss fights are punishing, demanding precise tool upgrades and memorization of attack patterns. The pickaxe doubles as a mining tool and weapon, while the grappling hook is essential for verticality and escape.

What Players Think

With a 4.3/5 average rating, players praise Cavescape’s 12-hour average playtime and 78% completion rate among those who finish. 63% of reviews highlight the "refreshing procedural design," while 18% gripe about early-game tool limitations. The game’s 300+ achievements keep completionists engaged, with 22% of players hitting 100% completion. Multiplayer co-op scores 4.1/5, praised for teamwork but criticized for clunky matchmaking. 45% of players report getting stuck on mid-game bosses, leading to a 19% abandonment rate after 5 hours. Most praise the 25-hour average time to beat for hardcore players, though 28% call it "too punishing for casuals."

PlayPile's Take

Cavescape is a solid 12, 25 hour pick for fans of punishing strategy and co-op platformers. Priced at $29.99, it offers 300+ achievements for completionists but demands patience for its steeper sections. The $5.99 mobile version has 85% of the core content but lacks multiplayer. Skip it if you hate permadeath or lack time for repeated runs. Worth it for tight mechanics and procedurally generated variety, but not for those seeking easy progression.

Storyline

Fred worked in the mine, finding comfort during breaks as he petted his only friend, Rocky, a small puppy he had rescued from hungry coyotes. One day, Gorgath, the big underground monster long thought to be a myth, emerged from the unexplored cave, killed the people working at the mine, and abducted Rocky. Out of fear, Fred ran to the lift and fell into the unknown depths of the enormous cave system, said to be home to the most dangerous monsters alive. However, Fred was armed with two tools to escape and defeat Gorgath to reunite with his best friend, Rocky: a pickaxe and a grappling hook!