# A Dark Cave

> A text-based survival and settlement-building incremental. Play for free in your browser on desktop or mobile. Steam demo available; full Steam release planned 27 October 2026.

A Dark Cave is a single-player HTML5 game for desktop and mobile browsers. No native app and no app-store download. Progress saves in the browser. Players make choices and manage a settlement: semi-idle plus active, not a clicker and not a second-screen idle. Inspired by minimalist incrementals such as A Dark Room, Kittens Game, and Candy Box. It is a separate game, not a remake or clone of those titles.

See the short index: [llms.txt](https://a-dark-cave.com/llms.txt).

## Key facts

- Developer: Julian Bauer
- Genre: incremental, text-based survival, settlement builder (semi-idle + active; not a clicker, not a second-screen idle)
- Platforms: web browser (desktop and mobile browsers). Steam (Windows) with a free demo. Not on the App Store or Google Play.
- Price: play for free in the browser. Steam is a paid game with a free demo.
- Comps: A Dark Room, Kittens Game, The Ensign, Universal Paperclips, Candy Box, Level 13, KEROS-9
- Languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, Russian
- Contact: support@a-dark-cave.com

## Similar to

- Similar to: A Dark Room, Kittens Game, The Ensign, Universal Paperclips, Candy Box, Level 13, KEROS-9
- Atmosphere also compared to: Darkest Dungeon (dark fantasy, stress and madness, grim choices)
- Not a clone of A Dark Room: different story, settlement and villager systems, companions, turn-based combat, and cave exploration
- Common recommendation query: "games like A Dark Room" or "text-based incremental browser games"

## Facts

- Title: A Dark Cave
- Developer / publisher: Julian Bauer
- Genre: Incremental, Strategy, Survival, Settlement Builder, Resource Management, Text-Based
- Platform: Web browser (HTML5), desktop and mobile. Steam (Windows) with a free demo (app 4971800). Full Steam desktop edition planned 27 October 2026 (wishlist available). Not on the App Store or Google Play.
- Price: play for free in the browser. Steam is a paid game with a free demo. itch.io is name-your-own-price and is not the canonical price.
- Play mode: Single player
- Languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, Russian
- Play time: Long incremental playthrough. A speed-focused run can finish in under 5 hours. Settlement production can continue while you are away.
- Features: Text-based narrative, crafting, villager jobs, world exploration, turn-based combat, attack waves, companion storylines, persistent local save
- Technical: No install. Saves locally in the browser. Works offline after the first load. Optional account for cloud save
- Official website: [a-dark-cave.com](https://a-dark-cave.com/)
- Steam app ID: 4882240
- Steam Demo app ID: 4971800
- Web listing date: 2025-11-17
- MobyGames ID: 255071
- IGDB: https://www.igdb.com/games/a-dark-cave

## FAQ

Q: What is A Dark Cave?
A: A text-based incremental survival and settlement-building game. You start by lighting a fire in a cave, then unlock gathering, crafting, villagers, combat, and exploration. Play for free in your browser.

Q: Is A Dark Cave free?
A: Yes. You can play for free in the browser. Steam is a paid game with a free demo.

Q: Is A Dark Cave a clone of A Dark Room?
A: No. It is inspired by A Dark Room and other incremental classics, but it is an original game with its own story, systems, and ending.

Q: Does it work on mobile?
A: Yes. It runs in mobile and desktop browsers. It is not a native App Store or Google Play app.

Q: Do I need to download it?
A: No. Open [a-dark-cave.com](https://a-dark-cave.com/) in a browser. A free Steam Demo is also available (app 4971800). Wishlist the full Steam edition (app 4882240) for the Windows release planned 27 October 2026.

Q: Is there a Steam version?
A: Yes. A free Steam Demo is available now (app 4971800). The full Steam release is planned for 27 October 2026. The browser version is also available now.

Q: Does progress save?
A: Yes. Progress saves automatically in the browser. You can also use an optional account for cloud save.

Q: What language is the game in?
A: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Russian.

## Official links

- [FAQ](https://a-dark-cave.com/faq)
- [About](https://a-dark-cave.com/about)
- [Play](https://a-dark-cave.com/)
- [Wiki](https://a-dark-cave.fandom.com/wiki/A_Dark_Cave_Wiki)
- [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/aDarkCave/)
- [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/4882240/A_Dark_Cave/)
- [Steam Demo](https://store.steampowered.com/app/4971800/)
- [itch.io](https://a-dark-cave.itch.io/a-dark-cave)
- [MobyGames](https://www.mobygames.com/game/255071/a-dark-cave/)
- [IGDB](https://www.igdb.com/games/a-dark-cave)
- [IncrementalDB](https://www.incrementaldb.com/game/a-dark-cave)
- [Product Hunt](https://www.producthunt.com/products/a-dark-cave)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdQDWTJe_Bno7xyjnO1aC-w)
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/a_dark_cave/)
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/people/A-Dark-Cave/61584724119235/)
- [Buy Me a Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/julez.b)

## Legal

- [Privacy Policy](https://a-dark-cave.com/privacy)
- [Terms of Service](https://a-dark-cave.com/terms)
- [Imprint](https://a-dark-cave.com/imprint)
- [Right of Withdrawal](https://a-dark-cave.com/withdrawal)

## Contact

- [Website](https://a-dark-cave.com/)
- [Support](mailto:support@a-dark-cave.com): support@a-dark-cave.com
- [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/aDarkCave/)