Crystal Cave Classic: a rewarding and entertaining puzzler
We all know the saying, “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. However, people have a hard time following that rule when it comes to picking which game to purchase for their handheld device. Consumers may fall into that trap and overlook Crystal Cave but will it be warranted? Is Crystal Cave a surprise sleeper app or is just another boring game with boring visuals? Let’s get our lantern out and search out the answers.
Gameplay:
Crystal Cave is a blend between the smash-hit Toki Tori and Boxed In. The object of the game is to search out each crystal cave puzzle and collect all the crystals in each level. The game has a very simple concept, basic strategy but as the game progresses, it gets more and more challenging. Also, the game does a good job of showing you step by step how to play and all the obstacles you will face.
The game is smooth, fun, and surprisingly addicting. You’ll come across boulders and glass blocks that you’ll have to figure out how to maneuver in order to get to the crystals. Not only that, you’ll encounter spiders, weird green monsters with one eye, and other creatures sent from the depths of the Crystal Cave to hinder your progress.
An absolutely amazing feature that I thought was revolutionary in a puzzle platformer. In the top of the screen, there’s three buttons. The very right button is a ‘X’ and it’s the “Pause” option menu. The Red button on the left looks like a record player and I didn’t know what that was for because the tutorial didn’t mention it. So I pressed it and it saved my progress. This doesn’t sound that great, but say you’ve progressed pretty far along in a level. You’ve already collected 5 crystals and it took you a while to get to this point and you’re one crystal away from finishing it. You simply save your progress and if you die, or lose, you can simply press green button on the right to “Load” from your last saved point and you won’t have to start all over! I hated that in Toki Tori when you’d get to the last egg and if you died then you had to start all over again. Needless to say, I was absolutely ecstatic about this feature and hope it’s something that catches on with future puzzle platformers.
Controls:
As most puzzle platformers, the controls aren’t too complicated. In Crystal Cave, it’s a simple D-pad that you control and it’s pretty straightforward. What’s nice is that your character has no limitations on moving around the level even though the objects that you have to move are restricted by the laws of gravity. Probably not too realistic, but I found it very convenient and refreshing that I can roam around the cave with ease.
The only gripe I had with the controls is that in some levels, timing is extremely important and at times I wanted to go a certain direction, but it didn’t read my finger because it wasn’t exactly on the arrow. Maybe a larger D-pad would alleviate this issue or maybe better sensitivity. It’s a minor gripe and I’m nitpicking but it’s still valid in my opinion.
What We Liked:
- Like “Toki Tori” with a touch of “Boxed In”
- “Save Progress” feature
- Surprisingly addicting
- Variety of cave design themes (Japan, Egypt, Aztecs)
- Challenging gameplay
- Over 170 levels
- Sound effects and soundtrack
- Jewel count (to let you know how many you have left to collect in the level)
- Up to 3 different player accounts
- Option to “Skip the level” if you want
- Zoom in/ Zoom out feature
What We Disliked:
- Plain graphics
- Icon art a tad plain
- Slight control pad issues
- Levels might start feeling repetitive after a while
Final Verdict:
You wouldn’t think that going from cave to cave, level to level, collecting different colored crystals would be exciting but before you know it you’re on level 30. The screenshots don’t give the game justice, and I’m doubting the video will either. It’s one of those apps you just have to play to experience. Crystal Cave left me feeling rewarded and entertained and fans of this genre will love the classic gameplay.
If only the game developers could think of a better way to advertise the game because many will be put off because of the icon and or because of the plain graphics. The graphics aren’t bad at all when you’re playing the game, but I’m afraid that shoppers won’t find the visuals that enticing. But the consumers that do give it a chance will not be disappointed. A must buy for fans of Toki Tori and other puzzle platfomers.
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Category: Games
Off to download the lite version…
I was a Crystal Caves fan from way back in the PC days. This is a bit of a nostalgia blast. You’ve got to look past the graphics and accept that this is a relatively old series, but a very fun one. I think when the price is set at a bit of a premium and the graphics don’t reflect the price, people are skeptical. Thank goodness for all of these gameplay videos and lite versions.
Another great review Daniel! There is a lite version available. I played the lite version briefly last night and really like it. I didn’t know about the play, pause and record buttons so I’ll have to check them out. I like the different elements like dropping the boulders to break the blocks and free the crystals, using the dynamite to blow away walls and using the vats of acid used to melt obstacles away. I was impressed by the zoom in and zoom out feature. It made some of the larger “caves” easier to see. Overall it’s like a more sedate version of Boulderdash. There are more puzzle elements and less arcade elements (i.e. no time limits at least not in the levels I played).
This looks pretty neat, perhaps it’s an actual puzzle game that I can truly enjoy.
As for judging a game by its looks, I usually don’t. The few times I do though it’s with good reason.
I can admit I really have a hard time not “judging a game by its looks”. You’re probably 100% right that most people like myself would not even give this gamea second look because of the graphics and the video not doing it justice. However, based on your review, it makes it sound like it’s at least worth a try. It sounds like a lite version could be very beneficial to maybe convince those like me who judge games based on looks…