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Game Info

Cover art of Cave Noire
Platform
Game Boy
Genres
Strategy · Role-Playing
Player Perspective
Top-down
Developers
Konami
Publishers
Konami
Release date
April 19, 1991

Summary

Cave Noire feels like a pocket‑sized roguelike that crams four distinct quests—monster slaying, fairy freeing, gold hunting, and orb collecting—into a single turn‑based crawl. Each difficulty level reshapes the dungeon, sets a new target number, and hands you a fresh set of stats, so the moment you step onto the first tile you know you have just one shot to reach the exit before death forces a reset.

The game’s combat is split into four crisp phases: you move, you strike, monsters retaliate, then they shuffle. Adjacent attacks are resolved by a simple formula that mixes attack, defence, luck and a dash of randomness, while weapons, armor, potions, spells and rings let you tweak those numbers on the fly. The environment isn’t just scenery—pitfalls drop you a level, lava burns, breakable walls open shortcuts, and fog‑covered tiles stay hidden until you step on them, adding a layer of tactical surprise.

Although it never saw an official western launch, a 2012 fan‑made English patch opened the door for retro enthusiasts. Critics have since hailed it as a hidden gem, praising its tight design, bite‑sized adventures and the way every decision feels weighty despite the Game Boy’s modest hardware. It’s a concise, challenging experience that still stands out in roguelike history.

Storyline

Cave Noire drops you in the northern village of Karuzu, a hub surrounded by four ever‑changing dungeons. Apprentice adventurers flock here to hone their skills, and the local Adventurers’ Guild warns that the labyrinths must be tackled alone, with only basic gear at first. The guild leader even suggests visiting the forest master for better items before you descend.

You can choose a male or female hero, and your goal is to clear each of the four dungeons repeatedly, climbing the difficulty ladder. Every dungeon offers ten levels; conquering the sixth level in all four grants you the official Adventurer rank.

Even after earning the rank, four extra post‑game levels remain, providing a final test for those who want to push their character to the limit.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Videos

Game Screenshots

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Multiplayer

Game modes
Single