Cave Crawler is a short horror game where you pilot a drone into a cave and discover something horrible.
Players take direct control of a specialized "Cave Crawler" drone, guiding it through the dark and treacherous caverns. The controls meticulously mimic the handling of a real-life drone, requiring players to carefully navigate the drone's movements and camera to explore the environment. Many reviewers praise this implementation, noting that the slow, deliberate nature of the controls heightens the tension as players cautiously make their way through the cave system.
As players navigate the caves, they can scan various objects and environmental features. This scanning mechanic provides players with bits of information and context about the events that have occurred within the cave, slowly unraveling the mystery at hand. Reviewers highlight how this system, combined with the game's minimal narrative, encourages players to piece together the story for themselves, allowing the atmosphere and environmental storytelling to take center stage.
The game's simple gameplay loop of exploration and scanning is elevated by its ability to create a tense and unnerving atmosphere. The dark, claustrophobic cave environments, coupled with the spooky audio design and unsettling discoveries, immerse players in a palpable sense of dread and unease. Reviewers often note that the slow, deliberate pacing of the gameplay adds to this overall feeling, as players cautiously navigate the unknown.
Despite its relatively short length of 30-60 minutes, the game has been praised for its focused, well-executed experience. Many players appreciate the developers' decision to prioritize quality over quantity, delivering a tight, self-contained horror narrative without overstaying its welcome. The game's compact runtime is seen as a positive, allowing players to fully engage with the atmosphere and narrative without feeling fatigued.