# Cavern > Randomly generated dungeon crawler with distinct characters and permadeath. (iPhone/iPad app by Sami Sierla.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cavern/id346653564 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Sami Sierla](https://appshunter.io/developer/346653567) - Category: Games, Entertainment, Adventure, Role Playing - Price: $2.99 - Rating: 4.60/5 from 68 App Store ratings · 131 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 9+ - Requires: iOS 11.0 · 114 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2009-12-18 - Data updated: 2026-09-08 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cavern/id346653564/reviews.md ## What is Cavern? Cavern is a dungeon crawler in the vein of genre classics like Rogue and Nethack - but with original game world not based on any existing roguelike. Each level is randomly generated so no two games are the same. ---- Cavern was full of ancient treasure which surface people dug up to keep their high standards of living. Caves were inhabited by hostile creatures of the nether but Mystery Object of the surface kept the evil weak with it's power. Somehow, creatures of the deep managed to steal the Mystery Object and took it to the deepest levels of the Cavern. Now You, the Hero, must retrieve it before it's powers are used against the Surface! Features: •Shops to buy equipment and sell treasure •Three characters to play: Fighter : strong melee character. Adventurer : specialises in bows. Mystic : uses wands and scrolls. •Vintage game art by DeBray Bailey •16 randomly generated dungeons •In-game tutorial •Over 40 different monsters •Randomized item attributes and special unique items. •Online Highscores and ranking for each game played. •Saves your exact game state when receiving call or switching to another app. •Juicy sound effects. •Permadeath ## Key features - Randomly generated dungeons - Three playable characters - Shops for equipment and treasure - Over 40 different monsters - Randomized item attributes - Online highscores and ranking - Permadeath ## What do users think of Cavern? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🎮 Engaging roguelike gameplay with high replayability - 👍 Simple, intuitive controls designed for mobile - 🎨 Charming retro pixel art graphics - 💰 Excellent value for the price - 🔄 Procedurally generated dungeons ensure variety - ⚔️ Challenging difficulty with permanent death mechanic - 🏆 Leaderboard system for competitive play - 👻 Unique ghost mechanic featuring fallen player characters - 🎯 Well-balanced turn-based combat system - 🔧 Developer actively updates and improves the game - 🎵 Satisfying sound design and audio effects - 📱 Optimized for mobile play sessions **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues - 📱 Tap-to-move controls feel imprecise and frustrating - 🎮 Lacks depth in character customization and RPG mechanics - 📖 Insufficient explanations of game mechanics and effects - 🔤 Text and UI elements too small on some devices - 🎯 Difficulty spikes and unbalanced enemy encounters - 👥 Follower NPCs don't persist across dungeon levels - ⚙️ Game performance degrades during extended play sessions - 🎮 Limited variety in weapons, items, and equipment - 🔊 Cannot fully mute sound effects during gameplay - 🎮 Class balance issues (Mystic class overpowered) - 🚫 No save system or checkpoint mechanics **Commonly reported bugs** - Game crashes when approaching deeper dungeon levels - Crashes when talking to friendly NPCs - Crashes after character death - Crashes on inventory screen - Game freezes and requires restart after extended play - Touch response lag and unresponsiveness - Character becomes stuck unable to move after teleporting to town - Character ends up in walls after teleporting back from town - Walk out of bounds in cave shop level - Incorrect arrow graphics displaying as other weapons - Random instant death from invisible damage sources - Item selection bugs causing wrong items to be used - Game fails to boot up at certain dungeon depths - Stairs down missing on some randomly generated floors - Game doesn't resume properly after interruption - Slow gameplay after extended play sessions **Most requested features** - D-pad or button-based movement controls - Zoom in/out functionality for better visibility - Level counter display during gameplay - Endless mode or additional challenge modes - More character classes and races - Expanded weapon and equipment variety - New Game+ mode with increased difficulty - Multiplayer or cooperative features - More shops and NPCs throughout dungeons - Visual representation of equipped gear on character - Tutorial improvements and better onboarding - Customizable button layout and controls - Additional dungeon levels and content - Secret room indicators or hints - Persistent followers across all dungeon levels ## Recent user reviews (10 of 131) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cavern/id346653564/reviews.md ### 5/5 — WOW *2026-05-18* The best roguelike for iOS hands down. I heard about 9th dawn series but I’m so stuck on this one for now and haven’t tried it yet. I see people complaining about melee but fail to understand how these types of games work. Just give it a try you won’t be disappointed. ### 5/5 — Solid Game *2025-05-03, version 2.6.5* Solid game, simple controls, wish there was more explanations of what some effect meant or did. ### 5/5 — Great little roguelike *2025-04-30, version 2.6.5* It may not be Baldur’s Gate 3, but for a good game to whittle away some hours on a trip or something it’s perfect. ### 5/5 — No d pad is my only complaint. *2024-09-03* I hate tap to move but at least there is an action button. I love this game I just wish at the very least your character didn’t have to finish moving before you can tap again. Also I wish they had an endless mode because once you beat the game it’s not as fun to replay unless there are more challenges or something. Still 5 stars. ### 4/5 — Great rogue-like *2024-07-10* Great retro style rogue-like. I like the fact that the dungeon levels aren't all rectangular (which makes sense given the name). Also like coming across previous hero bodies to loot and find the hero's spirit fighting monsters for you. One complaint is that followers will follow you back to town but not to other levels? The king gave me two followers, but because I'd teleported to town right before going down the stairs to the next level (which happened to be the last level), they were useless. ### 3/5 — Fun ……. but it’s got bugs still *2024-02-06* Playing the game a few times and found that certain times, usually as I approach farther than half way into the dungeon my game fails to boot up and I have had to retire the game. Not sure what that’s about but it’s not that great after I spent money to buy it. lol ### 3/5 — Basic roguelike *2023-05-11* Decent roguelike made for the iPhone with its controls. There are better on the market, but this is well made and will keep your interest. Do hate the fact that you have to talk to king each time to start. ### 1/5 — Warning you can not save your game! *2023-02-24* Tread lightly my friend. Although not listed as a rogue game, you will die and will need to start all over with a new character. It may take several hits by an enemy and there is a warning to use a healing g potion or eat before getting destroyed, but the warning comes to late. I played with a wizard class - if an enemy gets too close they can wipe you out. Next was a warrior class- I got down to about level 6- could not avoid a gang of enemies and one shot from an enemy took me out. There is no save option. The game is without mercy. No starting with the same character or where you left off, just your character is placed In the hall of fame. A reminder of your wasted efforts! Will not play again. Save your frustration and your $2.00 ### 4/5 — Great game for the price. *2022-11-28* I had a great time playing the game through, but it is tremendously easier to play the Mystic class, as it’s base damage is twice that of the other classes, along with the fact that it’s a raged attack. I’ll be trying the other two classes for a personal challenge, but I highly recommend a balancing fix. ### 5/5 — Great game but stuck at anthill *2022-11-08* Im down to anthill and can't go lower and neither found the mystery item help ## Frequently asked questions about Cavern ### What kind of game is Cavern? Cavern is a dungeon crawler game inspired by classic roguelikes such as Rogue and Nethack. It features randomly generated levels, a unique game world, and permadeath for a challenging experience. ### What are the main features of Cavern? Key features include 16 randomly generated dungeons, three distinct characters (Fighter, Adventurer, Mystic), shops for buying and selling, over 40 different monsters, randomized item attributes, and online highscores. ### How much does Cavern cost? Based on the provided information, Cavern is a paid application. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements. ### What platforms is Cavern available on? The provided data does not specify the exact platforms Cavern is available on, but it is described as a mobile application. ### What is the objective of the game? The objective is to retrieve a stolen 'Mystery Object' from the deepest levels of the Cavern. This object is crucial for keeping hostile creatures weak and protecting the surface world. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.6.5 — 2021-10-25 Fixed UI issues with newer iPhones. ### 2.6.4 — 2019-10-24 - Fixes crash when returning Mystery Object - Fixes crashes when talking to NPC's in tutorial ### 2.6.3 — 2019-10-16 Resolves issue in "Elemental" level where you could get locked out of exit. ### 2.6.2 — 2019-01-16 - Fixes minimap clipping issue on iPhone X/XR/XS ### 2.6.1 — 2019-01-10 - Fixed layout issues with iPhone XR and XS Max ## Apps similar to Cavern | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Apex Dungeon](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/apex-dungeon/id1643793520) | 4.0 (8) | Free | Games | | [Adventure To Fate Lost Island](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/adventure-to-fate-lost-island/id6450016324) | 4.8 (260) | $4.99 | Games | | [Saga RPG: First Blade](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/saga-rpg-first-blade/id689059795) | 4.8 (74) | Free | Games | | [Pixelot](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixelot/id1254557946) | 4.9 (35) | $2.99 | Games | | [QuestLord](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/questlord/id510864423) | 4.6 (166) | $5.99 | Games | | [Lowlander II: Lowerlander](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lowlander-ii-lowerlander/id1211784030) | 4.9 (89) | $2.99 | Games | ## Related topics [the caverns](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-caverns) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-08.*