Hello everybody,

I decided to give this game a short review, share my thoughts and experiences with you. As far as I remember I got "Cally's Caves 3" during a sale and the screenshots conveyed to me that it might be a fun game. And boy, this feeling in my gut was so right!

Visuals:
For the graphics, you have well done pixel art, the animations feel totally in tune with the game. Equipped weapons show up in your hand, jumping is animated, enemies have their respective move and attack animations, everything is in place.

Audio:
I found the sound effects and music very fitting for this kind of game. The weapon sounds match what you're seeing, explosions are "boomy", picking up powerups will always be recognizable by ear.
The music can be described as some light electronic soundtrack with a chiptunish touch ('low-key synths' might be a keyword I should mention; at least that's what it felt like for me. Some tracks definitely aren't that "low key" though - just listen to the intro theme). It is not too loud, so it won't annoy you even if you've heard one specific track very often - and there's more than one track in the game. For me, sound and music were totally likeable.

Level design:
You've got the usual platforms (made of cubic stone and similar materials), you have ledges (which you can only jump through from below, no dropping through 'em that I'm aware of) and some more challenging jumps later on (sometimes you've got to use one specific gun which can create temporary platforms with its "spears"). There might also be hazardous lava or watery pits - you will be able to swim through the water later on in the game. It should also be mentioned that this game features no falling damaging.
As a bonus there are secrets here and there which usually aren't that hard to reach once you've spotted them (for example, some chests which contain extra lives or other powerups can only by reached by destroying specific "bomb blocks" while others might be hidden behind crates which can only be destroyed by the flame thrower).

Gameplay & Control:
This game has done something very right which - sadly - other platformers have done wrong: the controls. Everything is totally responsive, it can't be better than this. I've also recognized no sluggish graphics which could trick you into thinking you're jumping too far/too short. There's no momentum Cally gains by running around which makes maneuvering her easier; if that's "realistic" or not is up for debate, I don't mind.
Cally has the ability to level herself and the weapons. For her to get stronger or more lifepoints (hearts) she has to collect upgrades from chests or kill enough monsters and take the loot left behind. To enhance her weapons (ranging from pistols and various rifles to a boomerang, mines or a flame thrower) she just has to use them against the enemies. It should be noted that it would be very wise to level all of your weapons once in a while, some enemies or bosses (yes, there are bosses scattered throughout the game) might be easy to beat with one weapon but very hard with other guns.
But the levelling of the weapons doesn't stop there: you can find a character named Rupert in-game, who is maintaining a store. And here you can buy up to two weapon modifications per weapon - which is rather expensive but is not needed to finish the game. If you want to go for those upgrades you should first buy a higher coin multiplier in the same store.
Another nice touch: partially you take control of a cute little ninja-bear called "Bera" which also is very fun to play.

Enemies & Difficulty:
You've got slimes, bad wolves, robots, wasps, cyborgs, spiders (warning for those of you suffering from Arachnophobia, the big ones look rather convincing and ugly) and the likes, nothing too gruesome, hideous or gory. I'd say this game is great for kids and adults alike. With some small exceptions (like the 150 waves of survival for one achievement) the game isn't too difficult. If you've mastered jumping around, you shouldn't have much of a problem.
If you "die" you only lose some of your coins and continue at the last checkpoint or the start of the level.

Currently I'm in the second playthrough (or "New Game+" what it is called in-game) which retains all your achievements from the earlier playthrough (Cally has more hearts/is stronger and your weapons ar as powerful as they were when you first finished the game), though there is a roster of harder enemies to fight now. I might be mistaken but some areas same to have gotten changed in layout too.

One thing I still have to find out: this game is called "Cally's Caves 3". There must be a part one or two then. As far as I can tell "Cally's Caves 2" has only been released for mobile devies. A game called "Cally's Trials" has been released on 14. of June 2016 and should be the successor of this game albeit the story takes place before "Cally's Caves 3".

All in all, this is a very nice platformer. I can totally recommend it.