Cave Story has come to the Nintendo DSi. Originally called Dōkutsu Monogatari, Cave Story started life as a PC-based freeware game put together by one man named Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya. Its 2D action-based gameplay is top-notch, and is an obvious tribute to 8-bit classics like Mega Man and Metroid.
An independent development company called Nicalis brought Cave Story to the DSiWare service at the end of 2010. Does this six-year-old freeware game hold up? Is it worth dishing out money for? Yes and absolutely.
Developer: Studio Pixel
Publisher: Nicalis
Genre: Action-Adventure
ESRB Rating: E10+
1000 Nintendo Points
An independent development company called Nicalis brought Cave Story to the DSiWare service at the end of 2010. Does this six-year-old freeware game hold up? Is it worth dishing out money for? Yes and absolutely.
Developer: Studio Pixel
Publisher: Nicalis
Genre: Action-Adventure
ESRB Rating: E10+
1000 Nintendo Points
THE BASICS: The Robot Who Forgot
In Cave Story, you fill the shoes of an amnesiac robot who wakes up in the bowels of an underground network that threads through a floating island. You're quickly caught up in the affairs of a research team that aims to stop an evil doctor from using a "Demon Crown" and some ominous red flowers to turn the island's rabbit-like Mimiga population into weapons of war.
The very idea of killer bunnies sounds a bit silly, but the tale that Cave Story slowly weaves is anything but. The plot unfurls as you make your way through the underground labyrinths and passages teeming with enemies, ledges, and platforms. Most of the Island's population is out to get you, but you do have a few allies--the most vital being your weapons arsenal. You'll find missile launchers, laser guns, swords, and even a bubble-shooting gun that's far more useful than it initially seems. There are a couple of very deadly weapons hanging around the Island for adventurers who want to put the time and effort into finding them.
Most of your weapons can be powered up by collecting triangular jewels left behind by defeated enemies. If you collect enough jewels, your weapon gains a level, up to a maximum of three. But if you're hit, your level goes down. This non-traditional means of powering-up makes for some pretty frantic battles, particularly as far as boss fights are concerned.
The very idea of killer bunnies sounds a bit silly, but the tale that Cave Story slowly weaves is anything but. The plot unfurls as you make your way through the underground labyrinths and passages teeming with enemies, ledges, and platforms. Most of the Island's population is out to get you, but you do have a few allies--the most vital being your weapons arsenal. You'll find missile launchers, laser guns, swords, and even a bubble-shooting gun that's far more useful than it initially seems. There are a couple of very deadly weapons hanging around the Island for adventurers who want to put the time and effort into finding them.
Most of your weapons can be powered up by collecting triangular jewels left behind by defeated enemies. If you collect enough jewels, your weapon gains a level, up to a maximum of three. But if you're hit, your level goes down. This non-traditional means of powering-up makes for some pretty frantic battles, particularly as far as boss fights are concerned.
PROS
It's Some of the Best Platforming You'll Experience - Many games today are put together by teams of hundreds, but Cave Story is a laconic reminder of what one dedicated programmer can achieve. The game models itself after the finest 2D action games in history, and its roots shine through. Cave Story is, to put things as simply as the game itself, a whole lot of fun.
It's Deep - The game's platforming action is simple to grasp, but there are a great deal of challenges available for anyone who wants to try wandering off the beaten path. Can you find the entrance to Hell? A better question is, can you survive its trials?
There is a Difficulty Setting - Inexperienced players will appreciate the presence of an Easy Mode, which was added in by Nicalis--alongside a Hard Mode for experienced fans of Cave Story. In Easy Mode, enemies do less damage.
The Soundtrack is Classic - The chiptunes in Cave Story will catch your ear and hang on tight as soon as you hear them.
It's Deep - The game's platforming action is simple to grasp, but there are a great deal of challenges available for anyone who wants to try wandering off the beaten path. Can you find the entrance to Hell? A better question is, can you survive its trials?
There is a Difficulty Setting - Inexperienced players will appreciate the presence of an Easy Mode, which was added in by Nicalis--alongside a Hard Mode for experienced fans of Cave Story. In Easy Mode, enemies do less damage.
The Soundtrack is Classic - The chiptunes in Cave Story will catch your ear and hang on tight as soon as you hear them.
CONS
The Controls Aren't Customizable - Most action games offer the option of adjusting the controls however you like. Nicalis's adaptation, however, doesn't allow for any customization.
The WiiWare Upgrades are Not Present - The Cave Story upgrade for WiiWare featured optional high-resolution graphics, an alternate soundtrack, and the option to play as another robot character named Curly Brace. The DSi version of the game lacks those attractive additions.
The WiiWare Upgrades are Not Present - The Cave Story upgrade for WiiWare featured optional high-resolution graphics, an alternate soundtrack, and the option to play as another robot character named Curly Brace. The DSi version of the game lacks those attractive additions.
CONCLUSION: Go Spelunking
The first rendition of Cave Story is still a freeware title: You can download it for your PC whenever you wish. But the portability of the DSi version is very welcome, as are the difficulty settings and Jukebox. Besides which, the original Cave Story was put together by Pixel for the sheer fun of it, and millions of players have enjoyed the game since. It would be nice to compensate him by purchasing the game.
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
