An indie metroidvania classic that hasn't lost an ounce of emotional weight. Level design is razor-precise, the chiptune soundtrack stays unforgettable, and the story surprises with real melancholy. The Switch port runs flawlessly and begs a fresh playthrough.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player7+
Description
An amnesiac soldier explores the caves of a floating island home to imperiled rabbit-like Mimigas. Published by Nicalis, released worldwide in 2017. Multi-directional shooting, weapons that level up and lose energy, multiple endings, hidden secrets and a catchy soundtrack.
Cave Story+ review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Crafted entirely by Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya, the chiptune score blends 8-bit nostalgia with melodies that are surprisingly moving. Every cave and village carries its own catchy theme that loops in your head for hours. The Plus version polishes these tunes without betraying their pixelated soul, proof that a handful of channels can stir real emotion.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Shooting, leaping, powering up weapons through sheer survival: it all rests on aiming precision and pixel-tight jumps that haven't aged a day. The clever level design dispenses its secrets without ever losing you, and the way weapons level down when you take damage keeps a quiet tension humming throughout. An accessible yet cunning metroidvania that remains every bit as exhilarating to play now.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Behind its adorable pixels lies an adventure of razor-sharp precision: pinpoint jumps, tucked-away secrets and weapons that grow stronger the more you explore. Every room begs to be combed through, and the affection for its characters makes you want to wander this little world again and again.
Behind its tender pixel art lurks a fierce escalation, and the bosses are its beating heart. Wall-smashing Balrog, the Core, the Doctor: each lays down a projectile pattern to memorize and a tight dodging dance. Mastery of aim and pixel-perfect jumps reigns supreme, and the hidden final boss endures as a legendary endurance trial for anyone bold enough to face it.
An underrated gem
Built over five years by a lone developer, this platform-shooter carries a rare soul. Many brushed past it, taking it for a retro homage lost in the indie flood. Yet beneath the pixels lies a surprisingly moving tale, woven through dense exploration, leveling weapons and an unforgettable score. Perfect for anyone who loves Metroid and stories that linger.
Is Cave Story+ still worth playing in 2026?
Cave Story+ carries an indie classic that has lost none of its freshness. Originally released in 2004, Daisuke Amaya's game still holds its own against modern metroidvanias thanks to tight shooting and clever level design. Weapons that level up but drain when you take hits create constant risk tension. The story, deeper than it looks, leads to multiple endings that reward curiosity. The pixel art remains charming and the soundtrack unforgettable. An ideal gateway into the genre, accessible and cunning at once.
