Review: Caveblazers (Nintendo Switch)

Caveblazers is a challenging and brutal roguelike platformer. Journey into a mysterious cave, fighting orcs and goblins with an abundance of weapons and magical items! Make friends along the way, then watch in despair as they are crushed into a bloody pulp under a troll’s fist.

Pros:

  • Pixel art graphics.
  • 131MB Download size.
  • Simple tutorial.
  • Rebindable buttons.
  • Local multiplayer support. Splitscreen has 3 options- Dynamic/vertical/horizontal splits.
  • Game settings- Blood/Damage numbers/Screenshake/Damage effects/Background panels and disable the ending.
  • Journal- Shows descriptions of encountered items and enemies.
  • Challenges- Own achievements system and they pop in the game.
  • Roguelike gameplay.
  • Hub- Starts off really basic then as you play you unlock and encounter new characters and modes and options. I don’t want to spoil it as its very rewarding.
  • Daily run.
  • Simple to read and use UI. Inventory is a click to equip method.
  • Clothing- Unlock new items and change them at will when you are in the hub.
  • Earn EXP, Level up and unlock perks and clothing.
  • Perks- 24 to unlock and they grant many different types of help like extra health or new abilities. You get to pick one before a run.
  • Every game is randomized.
  • Some of the best stats/progress screens I have ever seen, We have percentages, pie charts and hard number crunching goodness.
  • Arena wave-based game mode.
  • Crazy addictive.
  • Big boss battles.
  • Controls- Jump, Wall jump, Ranged, and melee.
  • So much LOOT!
  • The whole game runs really fast and fluid.
  • Difficult.
  • The levels are broken up so you get that sense of progress but also get to encounter boss rooms and new biomes and locations.
  • Many enemy types and you even come across fellow (AI) adventurers who help you out.
  • In levels, you find a choice of 3 perks for just that run.
  • Slight environmental damage.
  • Just keeps better.

Cons:

  • Difficult.
  • Slow to unlock things initially.
  • RNG gonna get ya.
  • Not everything is explained.
  • Using the inventory screen doesn’t pause the game.

  • 9/10
    Graphics - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Sound - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Accessability - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Length - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Fun Factor - 9/10
9/10

Summary

For me Caveblazers is taking a lot of its gameplay loops from games like Risk of Rain and Spelunky, It works and plays so well it hurts. Every run feels unique and fun, The action is fast and furious. Boss battles cripple you in seconds and its all wrapped up in a whirlpool of unlocking and progression that hooks you in and refuses to let go. Having it handheld means I play it for much longer than I should. Caveblazers is very well polished and is just so much fun to play, Easily one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch to date.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!