Colossal Cave: A Timeless Classic Returns

Written by Ivo Teel — January 19, 2023 at 11:00

Colossal Cave Adventure, one of the most iconic and beloved text-based adventure games of all time, is set to make a comeback in a big way. The game's original creators, Will Crowther and Don Woods introduced Colossal Cave Adventure to the world in 1975. It quickly became a sensation, captivating players with its intricate puzzles and immersive gameplay. Now, nearly 50 years later, the game is being reimagined as a fully immersive 3D and VR experience, thanks to the efforts of famed designer Roberta Williams.

Roberta Williams is best known for her work on multiple hit games and series such as the King's Quest series, Phantasmagoria, Black Cauldron, Mixed-Up Mother Goose, and the Laura Bow Mystery Series; she has taken on the task of adapting Colossal Cave for the VR world. The result is a game that promises to be every bit as captivating and challenging as the original while also offering players a fully realized and visually stunning cave to explore.

Players take on the role of a caver, exploring a fantastical cave filled with treasures and hidden secrets. Along the way, they'll encounter a variety of creatures and characters, some of which will attack or thwart the player, while others will offer clues and assistance. The challenge is not easy, and there are many puzzles to overcome and strategies to consider.

The game's development has been a labor of love for Roberta and her husband, Ken Williams, who founded and ran Sierra On-Line for nearly 20 years. The couple has been working on Colossal Cave for several years, using Unity to create a game that is true to the original and fully modernized for today's players. Ken Williams states, "While locked down by the Pandemic, I wrote a book about the old Sierra days. Its success surprised me and brought back many memories of our days making games. This led me to investigate how modern games are made, and I just started coding using the Unity game engine for fun. I was looking for something interesting to do and Colossal Cave Adventure caught my attention. I started working on it and I couldn't stop. I knew I had to finish it."

The result is a game that promises to delight fans of Sierra and Colossal Cave worldwide. According to Roberta Williams, "It's been quite a wild ride to hop back into the exacting world of game production after such a long absence. Could we do it again? Do we still have 'the touch'? That was – and perhaps still is -- the big question. We're waiting with bated breath on that one! For my part, as the key promoter of this new Colossal Cave, it's particularly poignant, as King's Quest, Half-Life, Leisure Suit Larry, Phantasmagoria, and many other Sierra games would never have happened without my having played this historical game over 40 years ago – because Sierra On-Line would never have existed! But for me, game production came back easily upon returning to my true passion of adventure game design. I sincerely hope that you enjoy playing it as much as I've relished the chance to re-introduce and introduce this legendary adventure game to modern gamers."

Colossal Cave is available today for all major gaming platforms- PC (Steam, Epic Games, Itchio), Nintendo Switch, Xbox XIS, PlayStation 5, and Meta Quest. Gamers of all ages and skill levels will have the chance to experience one of the most beloved and enduring adventure games of all time in a whole new way. So, if you're a fan of adventure games and want to relive the glory days of text-based gaming, or if you're a new player looking for a challenging and immersive experience, Colossal Cave is a game you will want to experience!