Since its launch on Meta Quest and PSVR2 in June, Cave Crave has sold more than 35,000 copies, earning recognition as the most realistic caving simulation ever created. Developed by the experienced team at 3R Games, also responsible for Thief Simulator VR: Greenview Street, which sold over 350,000 copies, and the recently acclaimed Besiege VR, the title quickly established itself as a standout in the VR market.

Beyond commercial success, the experience has captured the attention of online communities, inspiring countless hours of user-generated content. Videos of daring squeezes, nerve-racking escapes, and surprising discoveries have gone viral across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Short clips and long exploration diaries alike have fueled conversations about its authenticity and intensity.

At the heart of the project lies a carefully crafted underground adventure. A range of fictional cave maps designed with meticulous realism challenges players to navigate steep climbs, tight tunnels, and water-filled passages. Equipped with tools such as ropes and hammers, explorers must carve or secure their own paths while delving deeper into the evolving catalog of cave levels. Three distinct game modes, story, free roam, and horror, offer varied experiences, with the latter heightening claustrophobia and arachnophobia. Developers have confirmed that additional spider-free maps and challenges are already on the way.

What distinguishes this title from typical VR entertainment is its demand for players to think and act like real spelunkers. Without built-in maps, explorers must rely on chalk markings to avoid getting lost, control their breathing to pass through narrow spaces, and maintain composure under stress. This blend of physical awareness and problem-solving transforms the experience into something not only immersive but also educational and therapeutic.

According to 3R Games, many players have reported synchronizing their own breathing with Jake, the young spelunker protagonist following in his father’s footsteps. Beyond immersion, these mechanics reveal broader applications of VR caving, from providing safe exposure to otherwise inaccessible environments, to supporting gradual desensitization for claustrophobia, and even helping players strengthen focus and stress management skills.