Echo Grotto

Released: Sep 20, 2017
Platforms: Windows
Last updated: 04 Sep 2026, 14:47 GMT

Updates & announcements

16 posts

25 Jun 2019Developer post
Huge VR interaction update!
Echo Grotto has gotten a huge upgrade to it's VR interaction system! Up until this point the game has had my home-made interaction system, but I've now brought the whole game over to the official SteamVR interaction system. Valve Index controllers support The main purpose of this
27 Apr 2018Developer post
40% off to celebrate Rolling Line's release!
After over 6 months of development, I've just released my next game, Rolling Line! It's a model train game for PC and VR, with custom track building and a big New Zealand theme. Thank you to all of you for supporting Echo Grotto, It's the only way I could keep doing what i love f
30 Mar 2018Developer post
Easter Update!
Easter Eggs have been spread around in Echo Grotto! Simply crack the eggs by throwing them at the ground and critters will pop out, or maybe something else... There is a hidden egg on the main menu which you can crack to disable "Easter mode". Once Easter weekend is over "Easter
30 Mar 2018Developer post
Easter Update!
Easter Eggs have been spread around in Echo Grotto! Simply crack the eggs by throwing them at the ground and critters will pop out, or maybe something else... There is a hidden egg on the main menu which you can crack to disable "Easter mode". Once Easter weekend is over "Easter
28 Nov 2017Developer post
Minor update - Manual rotation & menu cleanup
This small update just fixes a couple of oversights in the previous update. You can now use A/D or left/right arrow at any time to rotate the player (regardless of rotation setting). Added option for smooth rotation (as opposed to the 'snap' rotation at the moment. Cleaned up the
This small update just fixes a couple of oversights in the previous update.

You can now use A/D or left/right arrow at any time to rotate the player (regardless of rotation setting).
Added option for smooth rotation (as opposed to the 'snap' rotation at the moment.
Cleaned up the options menu (added a separate 'quality options' menu).
Experience mode lock setting now starts you off in experience mode on startup (skips the main menu). this is very useful for public demos and arcades.
Enjoy!
Original post
28 Nov 2017Developer post
Minor update - Manual rotation & menu cleanup
This small update just fixes a couple of oversights in the previous update. You can now use A/D or left/right arrow at any time to rotate the player (regardless of rotation setting). Added option for smooth rotation (as opposed to the 'snap' rotation at the moment. Cleaned up the
This small update just fixes a couple of oversights in the previous update.

You can now use A/D or left/right arrow at any time to rotate the player (regardless of rotation setting).
Added option for smooth rotation (as opposed to the 'snap' rotation at the moment.
Cleaned up the options menu (added a separate 'quality options' menu).
Experience mode lock setting now starts you off in experience mode on startup (skips the main menu). this is very useful for public demos and arcades.
Enjoy!
Original post
24 Nov 2017Developer post
Update! Locomotion options, full PC controls, and more!
Echo Grotto has just received a big update! Since release I've received heaps of great feedback, and this update will hopefully address a ton of suggestions, issues and options that people were hoping for! Here is a full list of everything included: New Locomotion options! Easily
Echo Grotto has just received a big update! Since release I've received heaps of great feedback, and this update will hopefully address a ton of suggestions, issues and options that people were hoping for! Here is a full list of everything included:
New Locomotion options!
Easily the most requested improvements to echo grotto were all about offering more locomotion options, so I've implemented some of the most commonly seen locomotion methods into the game. While these locomotion methods are available to use, the game is still built around the item-based movement (like using the teleporter, caving hooks and grapple). I still highly recommend using items for locomotion, but offering more options is never a bad thing! The new locomotion options are:

Directional trackpad movement - freely move around using the trackpad.
"Grab and hold" to drag yourself around - much like the caving hooks, but you can freely move around without the need for tools.
Teleport - hold and aim to teleport around with either an arc or line.
There are also some new options to make playing in a range of different ways easier:

Manual player rotation for Oculus users. If you don't have access to room scale VR, or just want to enjoy the game without fully turning around, you can now easily rotate yourself!
Adjust player height. Excellent for if you would like to play sitting down, or simply change you height in game.

Now fully playable without VR on PC!
If you launch the game without a VR headset connected you can now play Echo Grotto entirely with mouse and keyboard controls! This includes a control scheme built entirely for PC, and a user interface to interact with your belt! Playing the tutorial on PC will also teach you the PC-specific controls! Non-VR players can now full enjoy Echo Grotto, but of course the best experience is still within VR.
Changes and new uses for gemstones!
Gemstones felt rather pointless in the game, so this update has re-worked how they are harvested, spent, and even gives them new gameplay uses.

Use harvested gems as a light source Use a harvested gem shard like you would a glowstick to create a shimmering colorful light source! each gem casts different color patterns.
Harvest gems by physically whacking them Simply hit gems with any tool (or your bear hands) a few times to harvest them. Using a pickaxe will harvest gems instantly!
Use a gem pouch to keep them After harvesting a gem you can place it in a gem pouch (if you take one with you!) to keep if for later to buy tools at the cave entrance on your next play through.
Place gems on your head! Using the caving helmet you can now stick a lit gem to the helmet, the place it on your head for a colorful light source.

And various other new options and features:

Hand physics option - choose to disable hand and item physics.
Post processing - you can now enable ambient occlusion.
Grappling hook can now be retracted after firing by pressing trackpad-down (or press 'use' again to teleport to where the hook lands).
you can change the color of the starting glowstick in the options menu and it will instantly update (unless you pick it up).
Press the pause button while in a menu to resume (don't need to click 'back' any more).
Alternative interaction style - if your prefer to "point" using a ray at signs and items you can (instead of the current "hover" style).
Maps no longer appear in experience mode.
You can now use menu signs (and interact with some items) while still holding an item in your hand. you no longer need an empty hand to use sign posts.
A video about these new features will be posted shortly. Thank you all so much for playing Echo Grotto, Every bit of feedback and discussion has helped make this game the best it can be! Please let me know how well the new features are working for you, and don't hesitate to post any issues and I will rush to fix them. Enjoy!
Original post
24 Nov 2017Developer post
Update! Locomotion options, full PC controls, and more!
Echo Grotto has just received a big update! Since release I've received heaps of great feedback, and this update will hopefully address a ton of suggestions, issues and options that people were hoping for! Here is a full list of everything included: New Locomotion options! Easily
Echo Grotto has just received a big update! Since release I've received heaps of great feedback, and this update will hopefully address a ton of suggestions, issues and options that people were hoping for! Here is a full list of everything included:
New Locomotion options!
Easily the most requested improvements to echo grotto were all about offering more locomotion options, so I've implemented some of the most commonly seen locomotion methods into the game. While these locomotion methods are available to use, the game is still built around the item-based movement (like using the teleporter, caving hooks and grapple). I still highly recommend using items for locomotion, but offering more options is never a bad thing! The new locomotion options are:

Directional trackpad movement - freely move around using the trackpad.
"Grab and hold" to drag yourself around - much like the caving hooks, but you can freely move around without the need for tools.
Teleport - hold and aim to teleport around with either an arc or line.
There are also some new options to make playing in a range of different ways easier:

Manual player rotation for Oculus users. If you don't have access to room scale VR, or just want to enjoy the game without fully turning around, you can now easily rotate yourself!
Adjust player height. Excellent for if you would like to play sitting down, or simply change you height in game.

Now fully playable without VR on PC!
If you launch the game without a VR headset connected you can now play Echo Grotto entirely with mouse and keyboard controls! This includes a control scheme built entirely for PC, and a user interface to interact with your belt! Playing the tutorial on PC will also teach you the PC-specific controls! Non-VR players can now full enjoy Echo Grotto, but of course the best experience is still within VR.
Changes and new uses for gemstones!
Gemstones felt rather pointless in the game, so this update has re-worked how they are harvested, spent, and even gives them new gameplay uses.

Use harvested gems as a light source Use a harvested gem shard like you would a glowstick to create a shimmering colorful light source! each gem casts different color patterns.
Harvest gems by physically whacking them Simply hit gems with any tool (or your bear hands) a few times to harvest them. Using a pickaxe will harvest gems instantly!
Use a gem pouch to keep them After harvesting a gem you can place it in a gem pouch (if you take one with you!) to keep if for later to buy tools at the cave entrance on your next play through.
Place gems on your head! Using the caving helmet you can now stick a lit gem to the helmet, the place it on your head for a colorful light source.

And various other new options and features:

Hand physics option - choose to disable hand and item physics.
Post processing - you can now enable ambient occlusion.
Grappling hook can now be retracted after firing by pressing trackpad-down (or press 'use' again to teleport to where the hook lands).
you can change the color of the starting glowstick in the options menu and it will instantly update (unless you pick it up).
Press the pause button while in a menu to resume (don't need to click 'back' any more).
Alternative interaction style - if your prefer to "point" using a ray at signs and items you can (instead of the current "hover" style).
Maps no longer appear in experience mode.
You can now use menu signs (and interact with some items) while still holding an item in your hand. you no longer need an empty hand to use sign posts.
A video about these new features will be posted shortly. Thank you all so much for playing Echo Grotto, Every bit of feedback and discussion has helped make this game the best it can be! Please let me know how well the new features are working for you, and don't hesitate to post any issues and I will rush to fix them. Enjoy!
Original post
21 Nov 2017Developer post
Big update coming this weekend! new locomotion options, full PC controls, and new gameplay features!
Get ready for a big update for Echo Grotto this weekend! Since release I've received a ton of great feedback, and this update will hopefully address a ton of suggestions, issues and options that people were hoping for! A full list of changes will be posted when the update is rele
Get ready for a big update for Echo Grotto this weekend! Since release I've received a ton of great feedback, and this update will hopefully address a ton of suggestions, issues and options that people were hoping for! A full list of changes will be posted when the update is released, but here is a quick rundown of the major features:

Many new locomotion options! You will now be able to use full trackpad direction movement, Arc teleportation and "Grab and drag" yourself around the environment.
Manual player rotation for Oculus users. If you don't have access to room scale VR, or just want to enjoy the game without fully turning around, you can now easily rotate yourself!
Full non-VR PC playability! If launched without a VR headset running, you can now play Echo Grotto with controls entirely re-purposed for first person PC gameplay!
A complete re-do of how gemstones work. The way you harvest and use gems has changed and they now serve as more than just a currency!
And several more smaller gameplay features and options, which will be fully listed when the update is released!
This update will hopefully make Echo Grotto much more accessible to everyone, allowing Non-VR users to enjoy the game to it's fullest and let you move around in VR in whichever way you wish! Expect this update to go live this weekend, along with a new video showing off all the changes. Thank you all so much for supporting Echo Grotto, and enjoy!
Original post
21 Nov 2017Developer post
Big update coming this weekend! new locomotion options, full PC controls, and new gameplay features!
Get ready for a big update for Echo Grotto this weekend! Since release I've received a ton of great feedback, and this update will hopefully address a ton of suggestions, issues and options that people were hoping for! A full list of changes will be posted when the update is rele
Get ready for a big update for Echo Grotto this weekend! Since release I've received a ton of great feedback, and this update will hopefully address a ton of suggestions, issues and options that people were hoping for! A full list of changes will be posted when the update is released, but here is a quick rundown of the major features:

Many new locomotion options! You will now be able to use full trackpad direction movement, Arc teleportation and "Grab and drag" yourself around the environment.
Manual player rotation for Oculus users. If you don't have access to room scale VR, or just want to enjoy the game without fully turning around, you can now easily rotate yourself!
Full non-VR PC playability! If launched without a VR headset running, you can now play Echo Grotto with controls entirely re-purposed for first person PC gameplay!
A complete re-do of how gemstones work. The way you harvest and use gems has changed and they now serve as more than just a currency!
And several more smaller gameplay features and options, which will be fully listed when the update is released!
This update will hopefully make Echo Grotto much more accessible to everyone, allowing Non-VR users to enjoy the game to it's fullest and let you move around in VR in whichever way you wish! Expect this update to go live this weekend, along with a new video showing off all the changes. Thank you all so much for supporting Echo Grotto, and enjoy!
Original post
25 Sep 2017Developer post
Frontier, my previous game, on sale!
Thank you all so much for all your reviews and feedback over this launch week! If you enjoy the art style of Echo Grotto then you might find my previous game interesting. While being more of a classic VR experience and lacking any real gameplay, Frontier still has a really unique
25 Sep 2017Developer post
Frontier, my previous game, on sale!
Thank you all so much for all your reviews and feedback over this launch week! If you enjoy the art style of Echo Grotto then you might find my previous game interesting. While being more of a classic VR experience and lacking any real gameplay, Frontier still has a really unique
22 Sep 2017Developer post
Small update: Control Scheme options
Hello Everyone! I hope you're enjoying your cave exploring. This is just a small update that adds: You can now switch between two different control schemes! If you prefer to use the trigger to throw items (instead of grip) you now can. The two control schemes are: - Pickup/drop =
Hello Everyone! I hope you're enjoying your cave exploring. This is just a small update that adds:

You can now switch between two different control schemes! If you prefer to use the trigger to throw items (instead of grip) you now can. The two control schemes are: - Pickup/drop = grip - Use = trigger/trackpad OR: - Pickup/drop = trigger/grip - Use = trackpad
Also fixed a small glitch where the caving hook tool would grip the terrain at random if you used it without hitting any terrain.
In other news, looks like Oculus Rift users may be able to play Echo Grotto with hand controls and all! please check the discussion thread in the community hub for more details. Don't hesitate to let me know if you spot and issues that need a quick fix! Enjoy!
Original post
22 Sep 2017Developer post
Small update: Control Scheme options
Hello Everyone! I hope you're enjoying your cave exploring. This is just a small update that adds: You can now switch between two different control schemes! If you prefer to use the trigger to throw items (instead of grip) you now can. The two control schemes are: - Pickup/drop =
Hello Everyone! I hope you're enjoying your cave exploring. This is just a small update that adds:

You can now switch between two different control schemes! If you prefer to use the trigger to throw items (instead of grip) you now can. The two control schemes are: - Pickup/drop = grip - Use = trigger/trackpad OR: - Pickup/drop = trigger/grip - Use = trackpad
Also fixed a small glitch where the caving hook tool would grip the terrain at random if you used it without hitting any terrain.
In other news, looks like Oculus Rift users may be able to play Echo Grotto with hand controls and all! please check the discussion thread in the community hub for more details. Don't hesitate to let me know if you spot and issues that need a quick fix! Enjoy!
Original post
21 Sep 2017Developer post
Echo Grotto is released!
Release day is here! There's a ton of things to find in the caves of Echo Grotto, Happy cave exploring!
21 Sep 2017Developer post
Echo Grotto is released!
Release day is here! There's a ton of things to find in the caves of Echo Grotto, Happy cave exploring!

Echo Grotto

Updates & announcements

Huge VR interaction update!

Valve Index controllers support

Input binding

Hand animations

Glowstick bundles

Teleporter changes

Gems

Locomotion improvements

Grab locomotion on cave walls

Tutorial

Performance optimizations

Belt

Other

40% off to celebrate Rolling Line's release!

Thank you to all of you for supporting Echo Grotto, It's the only way I could keep doing what i love for a living and making these games!

Easter Update!

Easter Update!

Minor update - Manual rotation & menu cleanup

Minor update - Manual rotation & menu cleanup

Update! Locomotion options, full PC controls, and more!

New Locomotion options!

Now fully playable without VR on PC!

Changes and new uses for gemstones!

And various other new options and features:

Update! Locomotion options, full PC controls, and more!

New Locomotion options!

Now fully playable without VR on PC!

Changes and new uses for gemstones!

And various other new options and features:

Big update coming this weekend! new locomotion options, full PC controls, and new gameplay features!

Big update coming this weekend! new locomotion options, full PC controls, and new gameplay features!

Frontier, my previous game, on sale!

Frontier, my previous game, on sale!

Small update: Control Scheme options

Small update: Control Scheme options

Echo Grotto is released!

Echo Grotto is released!