"Cave Crave" tried out: Claustrophobic cave crawling in virtual reality
"Cave Crave" offers VR fans on the Meta Quest 3 narrow caves, challenging climbing passages and an emotional father-son story – with optional horror.
Cramped caves and darkness are the order of the day in the VR game "Cave Crave".
(Image: 3R Games)
With "Cave Crave", 3R Games is bringing a VR game to Meta Quest 3 that invites players on an atmospheric climbing tour through branching cave systems. Instead of relying on cheap shock effects, the VR game thrives on its realistic cave layout, well-implemented climbing mechanics and a surprisingly personal storyline.
Like father, like son
The entry into the darkness begins with a find. In a dark stalactite cave, our protagonist discovers a cassette on which his father, who has been missing for years, can be heard. In the hope of finding out more about his disappearance, he follows a taped route through various cave systems in the USA. In "Cave Crave", these messages from the past serve as both a narrative framework and a tutorial, as the father repeatedly gives his son tips on how to get safely through the narrow cave systems.
However, the voice acting is mixed and takes some credibility out of what is actually a charming idea. Apart from the father other characters are added in the course of the game – the voices mostly sound a bit amateurish. However, as the monologues only occur at the beginning and end of the game and at important checkpoints, this doesn't really bother you.
Cave climbing in VR needs to be learned
During the first three chapters, VR cave climbers first learn how to crawl through narrow passages, adjust the light of the helmet lamp and clear obstacles out of the way with the hammer. This much in advance: as in all VR games, you have to be able to get involved with the climbing mechanics. If you didn't feel like you were really moving in games like "The Climb" or the climbing passages in "Horizon Call of the Mountain", you won't be happy with "Cave Crave" either.
Basically, however, the developers have implemented all the game mechanics well. To crawl, players have to reach into the ground in front of them, hold the grip button and pull themselves forward. Climbing is similar, only here we first hammer an ice axe into the rock face and then pull ourselves up before it breaks out of the wall. If we are quick enough, the picks get stuck in the rock after use and can be used again later – a clever detail that also helps with orientation.
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After a few minutes in the dirt, the sandy cave floor takes its toll on your equipment. If you don't clean your gloves regularly, you lose your grip and have to reach into the ground much more often to move forward. This can be a problem, especially in the tricky narrow passages. Players can only pass these if they control their breathing correctly.
To do this, both trigger buttons must be held simultaneously. If you release a button too early or don't make it out of the tight spot in time, your chest will expand and our protagonist will never hear the end of the tape. Such passages are nerve-wracking – not because of monsters or jumpscares, but because of the uncomfortable confinement and the constant lack of air.
Orientation is the enemy
Completing the tutorial caves finally unlocks the heart of "Cave Crave": the complex cave system "The Gut". There, without a map and with branching corridors, we have to rely on our orientation. Although there are occasional boards on which we can leave small sketches with chalk, you still have to be cautious not to spend hours moving around in circles.
There is an infrared lamp for particularly dark areas, but this should only be used rarely as it drains the battery. If it runs out, it's game over. You can only check the charge status by looking at your wristwatch. If the lamp is off, it's also game over for Junior. However, there are no indicators directly in the field of vision, which is good for immersion. To keep players motivated to explore all the branches of the cave, the father sends the son on small intermediate objectives such as "Find all the fossil remains" or "Mark all the plaques". The main objective, however, always remains the same: "Find the exit".
Optional horror mode for diehards
The story mode currently comprises four chapters, the first three of which are little more than tutorials. Only one major cave system is a bit small, but the developers have already announced further content. New maps, mechanics and tools are to follow from the first week of July. It took us less than two hours to complete the currently available levels.
For the particular brave, "Cave Crave" offers an optional horror mode, which the game unlocks after the first chapter. Anyone who has problems with spiders or even suffers from arachnophobia should be careful here: While in the story or in the relaxed tourist mode there are only tiny creatures on the move that you don't even notice without an infrared lamp, an entirely different house number is lurking here. Giant spiders move far too realistically in the darkness – including crawling noises and nasty screeching, which took our breath away more than once when climbing.
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Interim conclusion: somewhat thin in terms of content, but worth a trip
"Cave Crave" is not a game for those rushing. Instead of racing through, it requires patience, attention and a good sense of direction. The controls use familiar VR mechanics, but add clever ideas such as the breathing system or the need to clean your gloves with a small scraper. Graphically, the game is impressive by quest standards with detailed rock faces, atmospheric lighting and small details such as insects crawling in the sand. Occasionally, however, you come across flat textures that spoil the overall picture somewhat. Technically, our run-through was largely stable, with the only occasional minor stutters occurring during the transition between crawling, standing and crouching. A crash due to a memory error remained the exception.
If you fancy an atmospheric VR experience with an unusual cave setting, you should take a look – as long as darkness and claustrophobic confinement are not exclusion criteria. However, we recommend waiting for the previously announced content before purchasing. In its current state, "Cave Crave" is a little thin on content.
"Cave Crave" has been available in the Meta Horizon Store since June 26, 2025 for 14.99 euros and will be released on July 10, 2025 for the PlayStation VR2.
(joe)
