Cave of the Descendents
| Game | Keen 4 |
|---|---|
| Level number | 4 |
| Location | Shadowlands (ice area) |
| Collectibles | [[Has collectible::Council Member]] |
| Dimensions | 165 x 80 tiles |
| Total points | 81,900 |
| Total ammo | 6 Neural Stunners6 ammopack <br />6 VorticonHyperPistol <br />6 Pistol <br />6 SuperFlowerPower <br />6 Raygun <br /> |
| Extra lives | 2 |
| Song | Too Hot to Handle |
| Required? | Yes |
The Cave of the Descendents is a level in Keen 4, located in the northern, mountainous, frozen area of the Shadowlands.
The level consists of a big network of winding tunnels and caves, filled with hazards such as spikes and shovels. There are several optional areas and dead ends, so it can get very confusing. It is populated mostly by Skypests, Mad Mushrooms and Mimrocks, though a couple Poison Slugs and Licks (on medium and hard difficulty levels only) can also be found. The most common items in the level are Shikadi Soda and Raindrops. In the background, white pairs of eyes in small caves can be seen from time to time.
To rescue the Council Member, Keen has to get the red gem from the lower left area, to open the door leading to the yellow gem, in the upper right area. Once he has that gem, he can cross the same door on the left of the caverns, to reach the cave where the Member is trapped. The Gnosticene is trapped on the top of the cave, so Keen has to climb up, avoiding the many Mad Mushrooms, to get to his cell. Alternatively Keen can enter the lower door, and if immediately re-entering the door that is hanging mid-air he will end up at the Council Member finishing the level without needing to collect gems.
The upper part of the level contains a sizeable, hidden area. The way to reach it is to pogo up a hidden passage near the door that is hanging mid-air, following the Shikadi Sodas from the platform closest to the door.
If Keen goes to the lowest, right part of the level, and gets on the first falling platform, then moves to the right towards the wall, he will find a secret passage. That passage goes to a secret, small room, with a shaft full of moving shovels, and spikes on the bottom. If Keen falls through the shaft while the shovels are hidden, and moves towards the right wall, he will find a secret passage with two Lifewater Flasks. However, it is not possible to get out of the passage and up the shaft without dying (or cheating). If Keen dies though, he loses only one life, meaning that in fact he ends up getting one extra life, and having to start the level again.
Miscellaneous info
There are a total of 81,900 points in here. It means 85 Shikadi Sodas, 57 Three-Tooth Gums, 5 Jawbreakers, 1 Doughnut and 11 Ice Cream Cones (8,500 + 11,400 + 5,000 + 2,000 + 55,000 = 81,900). It's interesting that there's no Shikkers Candy Bar in the Cave. The total of drops is 112, meaning that they're worth more than an extra life, and there are the two Lifewater Flasks (collect both by cheating only).
However, as well as the 2 Lifewater Flasks, 5 of the Shikadi Sodas (500) are unreachable without getting stuck. This leads to a total of 81,400 points (81,900 - 500) reachable without dying.
See also List of Keen 4 Levels.