The “rogue” genre is divisive as hell. With cruel mechanics, mountains of replay value, and masses of monsters, they are busy games. Furthermore, there are plenty of secrets to discover, loads of perks to experience, and often a tongue-in-cheek plot. Cavity Busters comprises all of these things as well as being weird. Consequently, it took a bit of getting used to, but once I did, I loved getting my teeth into it.
Developed by SpaceMyFriend and published by Jandusoft, this is a rogue-like title. Moreover, it’s tough, quick, and has some harsh moments to conquer. As such, you can feel like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. Yet, if you stick with it, you’ll enjoy a tough, odd, but rewarding title that is addictive as well.
Cavity Busters tells a strange toothy tale.
As the name suggests, Cavity Busters is a game all about teeth and mouths. Subsequently, if you have a phobia of either of these things, this will probably make you squirm. Talking of squirming, the grim aesthetics will make your skin scrawl. Thanks to the unusual monsters, slimy environment, and masses of diseases and ailments, this is disgusting. However, I adored the sickening approach and the mindless nature of the gameplay.
You control Gummy the Soft whose fall from the “Great Gob” was far and hard. Accordingly, to redeem yourself, you must take on the Pearly Knights in a pun-filled extravaganza. Armed with a shotgum and other crazy abilities, this powerful hero must prove everyone wrong. By avoiding projectiles, killing enemies, and defeating bosses, Gummy will venture deeper into an ever-changing and stomach-churning world.
It is simple but fun.
Cavity Busters doesn’t complicate things. However, there are a few strange mechanics that take a little getting used to. Other than this, the game doesn’t break the mould and veterans of the genre will feel very comfortable. Effectively, all you must do is clear each stage, pick up or leave any upgrades, and defeat each boss. Yet, all of these things are easier said than done, as a range of unique creatures wants to kick your toothy ass at every given opportunity.
You begin your run by selecting which Gummy you wish to be. Accordingly, each one has strengths and weaknesses that impact your run. However, once you begin your journey, the action follows a familiar gameplay loop. You’ll explore a range of arenas that are filled with gack, goo, and monsters. You must hug walls, leap into the air like a salmon, and crash to earth like a meteor. Furthermore, you’ll shoot a tooth with your shotgum, or choose rapid fire with devastating effect.
If you survive the traps, pitfalls, and monsters, the level culminates in a multi-staged boss battle. If you are victorious, you’ll gain a new ability and continue your journey. But word of warning, the rogue-like elements kick in when you die. When this happens, you’ll lose most of your progress and scream like someone visiting the dentist.
Secrets and diseases.
Cavity Busters has an excellent digging mechanic. This limited resource allows you to forge your own pathways during each level. This was phenomenal, as you discovered otherwise unseen rooms and strange creatures. This key component was fascinating, as it kept you on the edge of your seat while adding a secretive edge.
What was equally great was the disease concept. Power-ups randomly spawn and can vastly improve or ruin each playthrough. Consequently, you may be tempted to leave them alone and continue with your setup. Now, this was fine, but every diseased item that is left behind is devoured by the dungeon. As such, the monsters benefit and the game becomes much harder.
Taking on a diseased item isn’t the end of the world. Thanks to a range of conveniently placed shops, you can take a cure to remove the negative effects. However, this is a bit of a gamble and this adds to the challenging nature of this already cruel title.
Cavity Busters is uncomfortably grim.
Few things make me squirm. Yet, Cavity Busters successfully made my skin crawl. Thanks to its garish colour palette, unique monster design, and evolving stages, it is fascinating to look at. On top of this, I loved the shift in perspective whenever you crash-landed on your foes. The action can be hectic, and the screen is often full of projectiles. However, the game rarely stuttered and there were no performance issues.
The visuals were striking and memorable. Yet, the music didn’t strike a chord. I’m not saying it’s poor, but it was so run-of-the-mill that it didn’t stand out. The sound effects, on the other hand, were much better. The squelching noises were great and the odd monster sounds were wonderfully uncomfortable.
Slick controls.
The combined level design and hectic action could have been horribly unfair. However, the slick controls and responsive inputs ensure you’ll have an amazing time. Additionally, an excellent tutorial does a great job of explaining the fundamentals in a hands-on manner.
This genre oozes replay value. Luckily, Cavity Busters follows suit thanks to its array of starter perks and diseased items. Moreover, the moderately sized achievement list is tough to complete, and this will drive completionists mad.
Cavity Busters is a refreshing game.
Every week we witness a new regurgitated rogue-like game. Consequently, the genre can stagnate and many of the titles lack originality. Fortunately, Cavity Busters does well to break this cycle. This stands out from the crowd thanks to its exciting mechanics and grim visuals. However, casual gamers may become frustrated by its tough and often unforgiving ways. I loved its brutality and gaudy style, therefore, I recommend that you buy it here! Can you become a hero and save the day? Choose your perks, fire your teeth, and munch your way to victory.
