This is one of the classic games I grew up playing, and one of my sister's favorites. The basic game play consists of entering levels (mineshafts) and collecting all the crystals, while either killing or avoiding the aliens and robots that guard the mines. The game play is very much non-linear. You start out in the main mineshaft and select from several sub-shafts (levels) to collect the crystals from. A few mineshafts must be completed to progress to further mineshafts, but you will nearly always have several mineshafts to select from.
This is one of the classic games I grew up playing, and one of my sister's favorites. The basic game play consists of entering levels (mineshafts) and collecting all the crystals, while either killing or avoiding the aliens and robots that guard the mines. The game play is very much non-linear. You start out in the main mineshaft and select from several sub-shafts (levels) to collect the crystals from. A few mineshafts must be completed to progress to further mineshafts, but you will nearly always have several mineshafts to select from.
Once in a mineshaft the game play is a nice blend of platformer and simple puzzle solving. Puzzle elements include your standard elevator platforms, and color coded switches and doors, although thrown into
the mix is an occasional temporary power up. While the power-ups are often necessary to complete the level, if you use them right you can rack up big bonuses before they wear off. In the levels you have to collect all the crystals to exit, however, you have a limited supply of ammunition, and only 3 hit points. Killing the baddies is rarely needed (although it will gain you more points) and early on you'll want to save the bullets for self defense. While three hearts may sound like a few, and you won't gain any more health in the levels (you get full health at the beginning of every level though) it is plenty to complete the mineshafts. On the other hand though, there is a nice reward for finishing the levels without taking a single hit.
There are no "upgrades" that you collect that will carry from one level to the next. However your ammunition will carry over. This allows for the player to be able to complete any level from the start, without having that "gotta get the power up to get there" feeling.
The sounds aren't anything more than simple 8-bit sounds. However, other than an occasional leaking alien pipeline, they never seem to get irritating.
The in game graphics were great for the time that the game was released. Even today, while not as smooth as most modern 2-D platformers, the graphics are bright, clear, and easy on the eye.
The repeatability of the game is only fair. Once you've completed a mineshaft, you usually remember how it was done. So the puzzle element of the game has very little replay value. The platform part of the game though has a simple charm to it that makes it good for an occasional replay. Also, you can always try to top the old scores. Besides trying to complete all the levels with full health, the completely random appearing fruit allows for your high score to only increase the longer you play.
Crystal Caves is a great puzzle/plat game that certainly deserves a play through. If you like games like Secret agent, Mario brothers, or Commander Keen then you will love Crystal Caves. If you just like some platforming occasionally, I would still recommend this game. If you like FPS, strategy, or RPGs then you should try it anyways, just for the retro gaming experience!
