I love this game. Cavern of Dreams is part of a trifecta of 2023 low poly 3D platformers that are must-plays for genre fans (the other two being Corn Kidz 64 and Pseudoregalia). Each game has its own strengths. Cavern of Dreams particularly nails exploration and atmosphere while taking a bit to get going in the platforming department.
Cavern of Dreams takes a lot of inspiration from Banjo-Kazooie for gameplay (except there's no combat whatsoever) and at times even matches the quality. The colorful levels are loaded with interconnected puzzles, fun NPCs, and plenty of easter eggs and hints scattered throughout. Those familiar with methodically unraveling puzzles and searching every nook and cranny of a level in Banjo-Kazooie will immediately feel at home in Cavern of Dreams.
Cavern of Dreams really shines with a surreal atmosphere that is both whimsical and vaguely disturbing, reminiscent of other early 3D games. You will get to know the Cavern in your adventure, but a sense of wonder will persist throughout and linger thereafter. The different worlds are lightly inhabited, enough that they are not baron, but well short of teeming with life and energy. Wandering around the levels often reveals side areas with no puzzles to solve or items to collect, just hints of goofy/creepy histories that aren't important to your adventure, but exist all the same. This atmosphere, my favorite part of Cavern of Dreams, immensely accentuates the explorational platforming.
My only real gripe with Cavern of Dreams is I'm left wanting more. With 40 multicolored Eggs (this game's version of Jiggies or Power Stars) to collect, the game took me about five hours to beat and eight hours to 100%. Short runtimes have plenty of advantages, but Cavern of Dreams was paced so that it really hit its gameplay stride right at the end. Like Corn Kidz 64, if Cavern of Dreams were about twice as long, I wouldn't hesitate to place it right alongside the best of the early collectathons that inspired it. As is, it's still a wonderful game that I strongly recommend to fellow 3D platformer fans who love the genre's early days.
Cavern of Dreams takes a lot of inspiration from Banjo-Kazooie for gameplay (except there's no combat whatsoever) and at times even matches the quality. The colorful levels are loaded with interconnected puzzles, fun NPCs, and plenty of easter eggs and hints scattered throughout. Those familiar with methodically unraveling puzzles and searching every nook and cranny of a level in Banjo-Kazooie will immediately feel at home in Cavern of Dreams.
Cavern of Dreams really shines with a surreal atmosphere that is both whimsical and vaguely disturbing, reminiscent of other early 3D games. You will get to know the Cavern in your adventure, but a sense of wonder will persist throughout and linger thereafter. The different worlds are lightly inhabited, enough that they are not baron, but well short of teeming with life and energy. Wandering around the levels often reveals side areas with no puzzles to solve or items to collect, just hints of goofy/creepy histories that aren't important to your adventure, but exist all the same. This atmosphere, my favorite part of Cavern of Dreams, immensely accentuates the explorational platforming.
My only real gripe with Cavern of Dreams is I'm left wanting more. With 40 multicolored Eggs (this game's version of Jiggies or Power Stars) to collect, the game took me about five hours to beat and eight hours to 100%. Short runtimes have plenty of advantages, but Cavern of Dreams was paced so that it really hit its gameplay stride right at the end. Like Corn Kidz 64, if Cavern of Dreams were about twice as long, I wouldn't hesitate to place it right alongside the best of the early collectathons that inspired it. As is, it's still a wonderful game that I strongly recommend to fellow 3D platformer fans who love the genre's early days.