I created Caves of Lore because of my deep love for RPGs. This project took me 6 years to make and I learned a lot about coding, art, and storytelling. If you reach the end then be sure to let me know! Caves has deep combat, classic-styled pixel art, and (of course) LORE! 📖
Players can distribute points across various attributes like Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, significantly impacting the character's effectiveness with different weapons, armor, and spells. Additionally, players can select from a variety of unique traits that provide passive bonuses, further customizing their playstyle. As players progress, they earn skill points to invest in improving skills like one-handed weapons, lockpicking, or first aid. Notably, skills and spells improve through use, rather than just from leveling up. The more a character uses a particular weapon or casts a specific spell, the higher that skill or spell will level up, unlocking new capabilities. This encourages experimentation with different abilities and playstyles.
The game world is filled with secrets, hidden passages, and interactive objects that players can discover using a variety of special abilities. These abilities, such as the ability to detect traps or petrify statues, are learned through finding and reading in-game books. Traversing the dungeons and overworld requires careful attention to the environment, as certain areas may only be accessible during specific moon phases or by using the right spell or item. The game rewards players who take the time to thoroughly explore and experiment with the tools at their disposal.
Each character in the player's party takes turns performing actions, such as attacking, casting spells, or using special abilities. The combat system encourages players to carefully consider their options and coordinate their party's actions to overcome challenging encounters. The game features a diverse array of enemy types, each with their own unique strengths, weaknesses, and behaviors. Players must learn to exploit these weaknesses and employ the right combination of spells, abilities, and equipment to succeed in battle.
Players can acquire new spells by finding and reading spell books, and they can improve their mastery of these spells by repeatedly casting them in combat. Similarly, abilities are learned and improved through use, incentivizing players to experiment with different playstyles. The game also features a wealth of loot, including weapons, armor, and magical items, which players can find throughout the world, craft, or loot from defeated enemies. The enchanting system allows players to further customize and enhance their gear, adding an additional layer of depth to the loot system.
The focus on exploration, environmental interaction, and flexible character progression leads to a high degree of emergent gameplay. Players can approach challenges in a variety of ways, using different combinations of spells, abilities, and equipment to overcome obstacles. This, combined with the game's numerous secrets, hidden paths, and quest variations, ensures a high level of replayability. Players are encouraged to experiment, make different decisions, and explore the world in new ways, resulting in a unique and engaging experience with each playthrough.