Enter the Wayback Machine and return to the Nintendo 64 era with Cavern of Dreams. It felt like a throwback when I started this game and checked if I hadn’t accidentally loaded up my old Nintendo 64 instead of my Steamdeck. Curious? Let’s dive in.

The synopsis for Cavern of Dreams sums up the game pretty well since it’s stated:

“Embark on a magical quest as Fynn, the dragon, to rescue your unhatched siblings from the mysterious Cavern of Dreams in this N64-style 3D platformer. Gain new abilities, meet unique characters, solve puzzles, and beware of the mysterious villain.”

Gameplay:

So in Cavern of Dreams, a 3D platformer by Bynine Studio, you play as Finn, a dragon rescuing the eggs of his siblings from an evil bat. Finn’s moveset is not that extensive and fits the N64 theme. You can roll by holding the trigger to gain speed, jump, attack the ground for a longer jump, and jump immediately after touching the ground to jump higher. Although you’ll unlock new abilities as you collect more eggs, the platforming stays simple and precise, and the main part of the game is spent using your limited skills to solve puzzles.

Like in most collect-a-ton games, you must collect eggs world(s)wide. More distant eggs generally involve hybrid puzzle-solving and platforming. You explore to find a way up, but something stops you, and you have to solve a minor puzzle to remove the obstacle. In general, these are easy but satisfying because they require understanding your platforming abilities to overcome your low jump height and using the nearby interactable parts of the level. Maybe you need to grow a tree so you have something to jump onto, or perhaps you need to climb up to a different platform and glide over once you unlock that ability.

Puzzles & Combat

In the world of puzzles, you’ll need to connect different elements across the levels. For example, you might have to solve a riddle leading to a switch in another part of the level, which unlocks a door. Most puzzles are enjoyable, testing your exploration skills and ability to see how different parts of the level fit together. What makes Cavern of Dreams different from other collect-a-tons is the lack or absence of combat. And that’s not necessarily a good thing. It makes Cavern of Dreams into one giant jump-and-skill puzzle instead of giving the player a change of pace. Luckily, it’s a lot of fun to roll through this game – and it reminded me a lot of Banjo’s gameplay. Rolling down hills and taking big jumps with momentum is satisfying. However, going uphill is slow, and Finn’s moves are limited, leaving you with little to do beyond rolling.

Cons

The main issue with Cavern of Dreams lies in the platforming’s excessively punishing nature, which is almost soul-like. With no health system in place, falling into pits results in instant death, and encountering other hazards often propels you unpredictably backward, frequently right into a deadly pit. Upon meeting your demise, you’re transported back to the last exit door, which could be located at the very outset of a level. As the exclusive means to gain altitude, the unlockable buttslam compels you to cease all momentum and meticulously approach each jump. The game features numerous precarious platforms above perilous chasms, where a single misstep can erase minutes of progress. When the game leans heavily into these elements, it can become more tedious than enjoyable, shifting the focus from exhilarating platforming to a more cautious and methodical puzzle-solving experience.

Conclusion

So, to conclude! Cavern of Dreams draws heavy inspiration from Nintendo 64 platformers, featuring a distinct blur filter, low-poly models, and a delightful, simple musical score. My short journey through the game was enjoyable, although the final level proved somewhat vexing. I couldn’t help but yearn for a swifter and more exhilarating pace in the movement mechanics, but that’s not the essence of this game. If your preference leans toward platformers that emphasize the sheer thrill of fluid motion, this might not be your cup of tea. Nonetheless, I must conclude that it offers a charming and endearing adventure.

7/10

Tested on the Steamdeck (256 GB version)