There’s a reason why that crazy Super Mario Maker 2 fire level received so many views and such high praise. There’s something admittedly wrong with us gamers; something masochistic that makes us want to take on the hardest, most ridiculous games in some weird attempt to prove that we were able to succeed where so many other gamers tried and failed. CaveBugBoy - currently in Steam Early Access - joins in on the fun as a single-player platforming adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you chaotically make your way through each level.
Into The Dark
CaveBugBoy puts players in the shoes of the titular character who embarks on an epic adventure through dark and mysterious underground caves in search of a better life. Along the way, CaveBugBoy will encounter evil floating (and screaming) skulls, flying dead ants and flies, falling lava rocks, and other obstacles to overcome.
Already featuring over 200 levels spanning over five maps and 28 chapters, CaveBugBoy offers plenty of playtime even in its Early Access state. Players move CaveBugBoy using the WASD keys and utilize his floating double-jump with the spacebar. Lightning-quick reflexes are necessary to make it through the levels, sometimes having to maneuver CaveBugBoy in multiple directions mid-jump to avoid coming into contact with any of the enemies (who will cause you to explode immediately). Levels are unlocked by collecting small bugs’ body parts and cockroaches, which ultimately moves you forward through the chapters en route to finding treasure.
Good With Room For Improvement
Overall, CaveBugBoy definitely fits the build of a masocore title, as a game that feels specifically designed to frustrate players in sections with seemingly impossible level designs. That said, the platforming action is fun, with hand-drawn visuals that look downright gorgeous. Honestly, the artistic style is what piqued my interest in the game in the first place.
The game’s physics also feel good in Early Access, especially when sliding through the various tracks or riding a flaming box down through a tunnel at rocket-like speeds. The overall controls, on the other hand, feel like they could use some work. There were multiple times when I attempted to jump over an obstacle, only to run right into it, causing me to have to start the level over again.
I also found the animations of the flying dead bugs to be a bit lacking. It would be great to see those enemies become a little more dynamic instead of just randomly moving across the screen.
Encountering these kind of quirks is exactly what Early Access is for, so they were easy to overlook and try to work around. It’s not hard to imagine that the developer, BugBrains, will use the game’s time in Early Access and community feedback to refine those issues.
CaveBugBoy is expected to remain in Early Access for about a year, focusing on a larger variety of ideas, more challenges, variations, and more content. BugBrains doesn’t expect the full release to have major changes or fundamental differences, but will look to improve upon the levels to create an even more enjoyable experience.
If you are a fan of the masocore/platforming genre, CaveBugBoy - which is currently available for 15%-off on Steam - will likely be up your alley, especially if you appreciate the amount of work that goes into creating beautifully hand-drawn game animations.
