Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 71 | 19 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 92% | 87 | 775 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 93% | 88 | 882 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Dec 8, 2023) · 300 reviews sampled · 882 total reviews in window · weighted 149.7 up / 10.5 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (15)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 50
- 80
“We can't say that players raised on the likes of Super Mario Odyssey and other modern platformers will respond the same way, but if you dream in 64-bit and your formative 3D games featured visible polygons, you won't regret exploring Cavern of Dreams. Bynine Studios gets in, delivers its payload of fairytale platforming feels with a hint of darkness, and gets out smartish. If you're a Banjo fan looking to recapture that sense of wonder you first experienced exploring Grunty's Lair, this is probably the closest you'll get without time travel or memory wipes.”
read full review ↗ - 71
“A love letter to the likes of Mario 64 and that early 3D generation, but it has some warts of that time as well”
read full review ↗ - 50
“But it gets stuck in the mud of not being able to stand on its own. It feels too slow for a 3D platformer and there are too few collectibles to call it a collect-a-thon. Cavern of Dreams left me dreaming for a better game and that's just a real shame.”
read full review ↗ - 91
“Despite its flaws in control complexity and punishing platforming elements, Cavern of Dreams manages to deliver an enjoyable experience for fans of classic N64 platformers seeking a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The game’s emphasis on exploration, puzzle-solving, and charming visuals contributes to its appeal as a retro-inspired 3D platformer worth considering for those fond of classic gaming experiences.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Cavern of Dreams hearkens to a more innocent era of videogames, providing a short and sweet adventure that'll have you brimming with nostalgia. Although rough around a few of its more minor edges, there's still a substantially poignant experience to be had.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Though I seem harsh on Cavern of Dreams in places, I feel this game absolutely achieves what it sets out to do. It is a throwback collectable platformer that feels just like the N64 era of gaming, only at a much cheaper price point. With its focus on exploration, puzzle solving and no combat, it does make it feel familiar but unique compared to other N64 platformers. The question for you will be, is that an era you want to return to? This is a game that doesn’t hold your hand and leaves you to figure things out for yourself. But at the same time, you do get to play an adorable red dragon. But if you’re looking for a more Zen-like casual experience, this might not be for you. For me, Cavern of Dreams brought me to the conclusion that I am getting old and that my tolerance for games of this design is not as strong as it once was. But I still appreciate what it’s achieved.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“If the developers’ intention was to make this game look and feel like a Nintendo 64 platformer, then Cavern of Dreams has succeeded. It looks the part, it feels like one of those games, for better or worse. With that being said, it managed to look like a mid-tier platformer from that era, something akin to Gex or Tonic Trouble, and not exactly a big player from the system’s upper echelon.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While playing Cavern of Dreams, I could have shut my eyes and been transported back to the late 90s/early 2000s. It’s Friday night, I’ve got a stuffed crust pizza from the local supermarket, I’ve just finished watching Robot Wars and it’s time to go upstairs and play Banjo Kazooie… OK, maybe Cavern of Dreams doesn’t quite hit the same heights, but it’s arguably the best collectathon I’ve played on the Nintendo Switch in the six years since Yooka Laylee came out.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Cavern of Dreams is very much a game for a specific kind of person. As noted above, someone who loves ‘90s 3D platformers, doesn’t mind a few quirks here and there, and has a high tolerance for gaudy colours. If that’s you, you’ll want to check this out.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Cavern of Dreams may not reach the heights of the juggernauts that inspired its creation, but it still provides a solid adventure with plenty of nostalgia.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Cavern of Dreams is a short but sweet puzzle platformer that feels like a hidden gem from the bygone era of early 3D platformers.”
read full review ↗
Fintendo
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
NintendoWorldReport
Nintendojo
GameGrin
LadiesGamers.com
WayTooManyGames
Switchaboo
Gaming Age
WellPlayed
CGMagazine…and 3 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Cavern of Dreams - Patch v7.4 now live 🐉Dec 8, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Cavern of Dreams - Patch v7.3 now live 🐉Nov 1, 2023