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Crystal Caves

Review · Action · macOS · PC · Linux

Crystal Caves

Reviewed: 18 May 2026

macOS · PC · Linux

3D Realms · 1991

Ludograph rating

B

Good

58 /100

Automated review
06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 41 · R 0
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

41

Risk (RIS)

0

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

7+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.54
B2Social-emotional
0.03
B3Motor
0.65

Crystal Caves is a classic action-platformer that encourages problem-solving, spatial awareness, and quick reflexes. Players navigate challenging levels, overcoming obstacles and enemies to collect crystals, fostering cognitive skills and motor coordination.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.00
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

As an older title, Crystal Caves has minimal modern risks. Its content features mild cartoon violence against alien creatures and robots, and some potentially tense moments in lightless levels, but lacks any significant compulsion-loop design, monetization pressures, or social risks.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.33
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.00
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.33

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

Avg playtime~1 hReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Crystal Caves safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Crystal Caves a rating of 58/100, recommended for ages 7 and up. It offers solid benefits but needs parental guidance on the risks.

What age is Crystal Caves appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 7+ for Crystal Caves, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play Crystal Caves?

Our session recommendation for Crystal Caves is up to 120 minutes per day. It is derived from the game's own structure (natural stopping points, compulsion-loop design, monetization pressure, and social dynamics), not from a universal screen-time dose.

Session recommendations are design-based heuristics. Evidence linking specific daily durations to child outcomes is limited, and context matters as much as time; treat this as a starting point for household rules, not a clinical threshold.

What are the main risks of Crystal Caves?

As an older title, Crystal Caves has minimal modern risks. Its content features mild cartoon violence against alien creatures and robots, and some potentially tense moments in lightless levels, but lacks any significant compulsion-loop design, monetization pressures, or social risks.