History Main / NoobCave

** Temple of Trials in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}'' is the Noob Cave. Vault 101 and the Super Duper Mart fill this role in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}''.
*** The cave beneath Springvale School in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' can also qualify, as it's more immediately accessible to newbie players, and it has the giant ants.
*** The former can be a ScrappyLevel for some characters, particularly those not being played for melee.
*** Vault 101 seems more of this, since this is where you learn gaming basics, and during your last moments in the vault there are enemies to fight.
*** Even if the Temple of Trials is technically the Noob Cave for ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}'', it's still notorious for ending with a really difficult fight for a Level 1 character (that isn't specialising in melee).
** VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas has the Goodsprings Schoolhouse, a relatively small room filled with large mantis, enemies that have little health, don't do much damage and lack ranged attacks.

* ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}''-engine games usually have a very simple first level, with a name that evokes feelings of having just arrived: ''Doom'' [=E1M1=] is 'Hangar', ''Doom II'' [=MAP01=] is 'Entryway', ''VideoGame/{{Heretic}}'' [=E1M1=] is 'The Docks'.

* VideoGame/RollerCoasterTycoon: The first scenario in each title[[note]]Forest Frontiers and Leafy Lake in the original, Arid Heights for ''Loopy Landscapes'', Electric Fields in ''[=RCT2=]'', Vanilla Hills in ''[=RCT3=]'', Captain Blackheart's Cove in ''Soaked!'' and Scrub Gardens in ''Wild!''[[/note]] provides the player with enough cash and attractions to get started, straightforward objectives, and a solid start on research.

[[folder:Dungeon Crawler]]
* ''VideoGame/MinecraftDungeons''' Squid Coast features easy enemies, a simple path with few side areas, and gives the player a bundle of arrows before putting them up against their first Skeleton. After a short ambush which pits the player against a few slightly tougher Illagers, the Squid Coast ends with the player setting up [[HubLevel camp]].
[[/folder]]

** The secret back-entrance to the Sanctuary in ''VideoGame/ALinkBetweenWorlds''. Finding the way into it from the graveyard is also your first puzzle.

* ''VideoGame/EYEDivineCybermancy'' starts you off waking up in a cave, with maybe ten enemies between you and the exit. On the way you're forced to take advantage of your various abilities, you're taught how to hack and you're automatically guaranteed to level up at least once. And if you know where the secret exit is, you can skip all but one of the enemies. Although doing so also skips the levelup. If you got all [[spoiler: the Gate abilities, you can enter the final area that leads to [[GainaxEnding the hidden ending]]]] from this cave.

* ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey'': Most games avert this trope (even the first floor in the Yggdrasil Labyrinth is usually prone to EarlyGameHell, due to the series' NintendoHard nature), but the fourth and sixth games intend to play it straight with the Old Forest Mine and the Eastern Shrine respectively, as does the fifth to a lesser extent with the initial half of the first floor of Tutelary Forest.

** Averted in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', however. Vancouver is largely cutscenes, and what action there is is so heavily structured, it's basically just a controller tutorial instead of a proper mission (one battle actually ends when you run out of ammo; you can literally just shoot the ground until you run out and get on with it). The next mission, Mars, doesn't qualify either, thanks to a very sudden DifficultySpike resulting from the introduction of Cerberus's [[ArtificialBrilliance incredibly tactical enemies]].

** ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' has the Slumbering Weald, located right next to the protagonist's house. Unlike most of the other examples in franchise, the player only visits a small part of it, and returns to the Weald in the endgame in which it becomes much more labyrinthine and complex, and the wild pokemon extremely powerful.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' starts out with Link underground and [[BalefulPolymorph stuck in the form of a Deku Scrub]]. Your new fairy, Tatl, teaches you the basics by bossing you around (fairies are too small to open doors on their own). Later you get to navigate the canals to the observatory, which is a more formal and dangerous starter dungeon.

* ''VideoGame/TombRaider 1'''s first level is "Caves". It has mostly weak enemies (bats and snipe-able wolves) and easy puzzles. It's not exactly a walk in the park, of course, but it's a lot easier than the first levels of the next three Tomb Raider games.

** ''VideoGame/OcarinaOfTime'' has the Kokiri training grounds where you get your first sword. Helpful signs show you how to pick up rocks, climb through small holes, control the camera, and avoid rolling boulders.
** ''VideoGame/MajorasMask'' starts out with Link underground and [[BalefulPolymorph stuck in the form of a Deku Scrub]]. Your new fairy, Tatl, teaches you the basics by bossing you around (fairies are too small to open doors on their own). Later you get to navigate the canals to the observatory, which is a more formal and dangerous starter dungeon.

** The Forest of Fairies in ''VideoGame/TheWindWaker'', and some time later the shockingly difficult navigation around the Forsaken Fortress without your weapon until the end where you fight a Boblokin as a WarmupBoss. Your journey here when you have the Master Sword is actually much easier.
** The first Lantern Cavern in ''VideoGame/TwilightPrincess'', located on the way to the Forest Temple. Followed by the sewers underneath the castle, though the latter has more dangerous enemies that are capable of damaging Wolf Link in the water, where he cannot fight back.
** In both ''VideoGame/PhantomHourglass'' and ''VideoGame/SpiritTracks'', there is a cave that precedes the entrance to the central dungeon, respectively the Temple of the Ocean King and the Tower of Spirits. The early rooms of these dungeons themselves count as well.
** The waterfall cave in ''VideoGame/SkywardSword'', which you have to traverse to free your Loftwing.

** The entire Great Plateau in ''VideoGame/BreathOfTheWild''. The first four shrines teach you how to use your magic runes, while the actual plateau teaches you all the methods you have to traverse the game world, heal yourself, and fight enemies. It also teaches you that you can and will walk into random enemies that can OneHitKO you. Just to drive the point home, you also literally start the game in a cave; it has no enemies, but escaping the cave requires you to learn the basic concepts of climbing walls (not a typical element of Zelda games) and activating ancient consoles with your Sheikah Slate.

** ''VideoGame/{{Daggerfall}}'' has Privateer's Hold, covering both just like ''Arena''.
** ''VideoGame/{{Morrowind}}'':

** ''VideoGame/{{Oblivion}}'':

** ''VideoGame/{{Skyrim}}'':

[[folder:Action Adventure]]
* Many ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games begin the adventure proper in a sort of Noob Cave. Sometimes it's an actual cave, other times it's a forest or a building, or even a tree:

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'' has Hyrule Castle, crawling with guards, simple puzzles, and a [[EpicFlail ball-and-chain-wielding mini-boss]]. You get your sword as soon as you enter, and you can find the boomerang on your way out.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' has the Kokiri training grounds where you get your first sword. Helpful signs show you how to pick up rocks, climb through small holes, control the camera, and avoid rolling boulders.
** The sequel, ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'', starts out with Link underground and [[BalefulPolymorph stuck in the form of a Deku Scrub]]. Your new fairy, Tatl, teaches you the basics by bossing you around (fairies are too small to open doors on their own). Later you get to navigate the canals to the observatory, which is a more formal and dangerous starter dungeon.
** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames'' has the ridiculously easy "Hero's Cave" where you find the sword. In ''Oracle of Ages'', [[DualWorldGameplay the Maku Path serves this purpose two times in a row]]. In the present, it's a straight line with a few press-switch-to-open-door puzzles. When you go to the past, you're introduced to the slightly more complicated collect-a-key-to-open-a-door-in-another-room puzzles. Should you be playing a Linked Game, both areas will become a BrutalBonusLevel added on top of them.
** The Forest of Fairies in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'', and some time later the shockingly difficult navigation around the Forsaken Fortress without your weapon until the end where you fight a Boblokin as a WarmupBoss. Your journey here when you have the Master Sword is actually much easier.
** The first Lantern Cavern in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', located on the way to the Forest Temple. Followed by the sewers underneath the castle, though the latter has more dangerous enemies that are capable of damaging Wolf Link in the water, where he cannot fight back.
** In both ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'', there is a cave that precedes the entrance to the central dungeon, respectively the Temple of the Ocean King and the Tower of Spirits. The early rooms of these dungeons themselves count as well.
** The waterfall cave in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', which you have to traverse to free your Loftwing.
** The secret back-entrance to the Sanctuary in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds''. Finding the way into it from the graveyard is also your first puzzle.
** The entire Great Plateau in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild''. The first four shrines teach you how to use your magic runes, while the actual plateau teaches you all the methods you have to traverse the game world, heal yourself, and fight enemies. It also teaches you that you can and will walk into random enemies that can OneHitKO you. Just to drive the point home, you also literally start the game in a cave; it has no enemies, but escaping the cave requires you to learn the basic concepts of climbing walls (not a typical element of Zelda games) and activating ancient consoles with your Sheikah Slate.

* ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}''-engine games usually have a very simple first level, with a name that evokes feelings of having just arrived: ''Doom'' [=E1M1=] is 'Hangar', ''Doom II'' [=MAP01=] is 'Entryway', ''VideoGame/{{Heretic}}'' [=E1M1=] is 'The Docks'...

[[folder:Hack And Slash]]

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'' has the areas immediately outside the three starting cities as well as Zeruhn Mines in Bastok and some sections of the Horutoto Ruins near Windurst. Low level enemies with lower stats than usual that are also a bit slower to make it easy to run away.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' has, for general roaming, the areas immediately surrounding the three starter cities: Very weak monsters, lots of invincible NPC sentries in case things somehow get out of hand. The first dungeon, Sastasha, is also very easy, to the point that runs of it by more experienced gamers done in [[SelfImposedChallenge nothing but]] [[JokeItem swimsuit gear]] have been done.

* ''{{Videogame/EverQuest}}'' features an optional tutorial dungeon called The Mines of Gloomingdeep, where you receive tutorials-as-missions, a chance to earn some decent newbie armor, and a buffbot that makes dealing with your screwups easier. However, you're currently encouraged to use Crescent Reach as your starting location.

* Planets Veldin, Aranos, Veldin again, and Kerwan in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank'', ''Ratchet & Clank 2'', ''Ratchet & Clank 3'', and ''Ratchet & Clank Future'' respectively (and more in the sequels!). The latter three all have bits that could be tricky for a first-time player, but apart from that, they fit the trope perfectly. You return to some of these places later in the game and they are much harder. [[spoiler: Veldin in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank'' was [[WhereItAllBegan home to the game's final boss!]]]]

* ''VideoGame/TombRaider 1's'' first level is "Caves". It has mostly weak enemies (bats and snipe-able wolves) and easy puzzles. It's not exactly a walk in the park, of course, but it's a lot easier than the first levels of the next three Tomb Raider games.

* ''VideoGame/WarioLand 4'' has the Hall of Hieroglyphs that explains the basic controls of the game through... well... hieroglyphs in the background.
* ''VideoGame/KnucklesChaotix'' has a training world called Isolated Island where you can basically do whatever you want to get used to the controls. On a related note, ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' also has a training world (Sea Gate), which has the same purpose.

* ''VideoGame/ClarencesBigChance'': Clarence's room.

** The Empire-held town of Fynn in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII''. Simple enough...just don't [[TooDumbToLive talk to the]] [[HopelessBossFight Imperial soldiers]].

* In ''VideoGame/{{Arcanum}}'' the crash site where the game begins is a mountain valley inhabited by weak wolves, boars and small goblin-like creatures, obviously to grind up a level before leaving.
** There is also a small cave, for those who take the time to explore the valley.
* The ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' series has one in each game: the Sol Sanctum in the original and Kandorean Temple in the sequel. The Sol Sanctum can't be revisited, while Kandorean Temple has nothing of worth for high-level characters besides a single Djinni needed for HundredPercentCompletion.
** An example from ''Lost Age'' that fits the "has something to offer later on" subtrope better is the Shrine of the Sea God, which can actually be accessed even before Kandorean Temple, but can't be explored very far. Exploring it as soon as you've finished Kandorean Temple nets you a very useful Djinni, but you also need to revisit it somewhere during the middle third of the game (comprised of a bunch of quests that can be tackled in just about any order).

* In ''Videogame/IcewindDale'' the party has to clear the appropriately named Easthaven Cave, before it can proceed with the adventure.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIDaggerfall Daggerfall]]'' has Privateer's Hold, covering both just like ''Arena''.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'':

** ''[[Videogame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'':

** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'':

* Bowser's Castle in ''Videogame/SuperMarioRPG'' doubles as a NoobCave and the first section of the VeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon.

* ''VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia'''s first "dungeon" is a small forest with non-threatening enemies. The first proper dungeon thereafter is bigger but also relatively non-threatening.
* ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' has the Temple of Martel, a small dungeon with no boss (unless you count Vidarr, who actually comes before you enter) and a small block-pushing puzzle.

* ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'': Cascade Cavern is the first true dungeon. It's filled with water and has waterfalls on both the outside and inside, but the resident monsters aren't much of a threat, even despite the limited amount of party members upon entrance.
* ''VideoGame/LegendOfMana'': Domina, the first town you open, is home to ''two'' Noob Cave missions, one in Mekiv Caverns and the other in Luon Highway.
* ''VideoGame/DawnOfMana'': The Prologue, a combination beginner cave/tutorial, taking place in the woods near home. [[WhereItAllBegan Keldy comes back to it near the end]] to chase after the BigBad.
* The Imperial Capital Sewers fill this role in ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia''.

* The ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigi'' series has one in each game.
** The Koopa Cruiser in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga'', where you learn the basics of how to move and fight as a pair. You come back here much later on in the game.
** Bowser's Castle in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime'', where you learn the basic piggyback mechanics.
** Cavi Cape in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory'', where you learn the basics of controlling Bowser.
** The catacombs underneath Pi'llo Castle in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam''.
** Sunbeam Plains in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPaperJam''.

* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei''
** ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' has the first level of Tartarus. On your first night exploring Tartarus, Mitsuru will give your character, Yukari and Junpei guidance on fighting Shadows as you explore the floor. The expedition will end once you find the stairs to the next floor.
** ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' has the first floor of Yukiko's Castle, which is mainly populated by weak enemies that are weak against Lightning and/or Wind, the elements used by your starting Persona, as well as Yosuke's Persona, respectively.
** ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' has the dungeons below Kamoshida's Castle, which serve as an extended tutorial to the dungeon crawling mechanics.

* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' has the Endar Spire, a Republic ship that the Sith are boarding, which serves as a tutorial dungeon to the game. You get a GuestStarPartyMember who helps show you the ropes.
* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicII'' has an optional tutorial, but much of Peragus Station counts, since Kreia and Atton help give you guidance as you learn the game's mechanics.

[[folder:ShootEmUp]]

* The ''Casual'' multiplayer mode in ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar 3'', which is basically straight-up team deathmatch catered to new players of the series. To that end any player that has an achievement from either the two previous games or the third game's beta is not allowed in.

[[folder:Visual Novel]]
* ''VisualNoveL/AceAttorney'':
** Phoenix Wright's very first case can be considered a noob cave. There's only one witness, you have only four pieces of evidence to use(the autopsy report, the statue, the blackout report and the passport, the latter of which only becomes relevant at the end), and the witness has so many obvious contradictions that pressing him is not even needed, with the mechanic only being explained in the second case.
** The first cases of the later games also tend to be simpler than those that follow; since there's no investigation phase and the basic mechanics of the court system are explained in-game just in case someone's jumping into the series for the first time. That said, the first cases of part II, part III and ''especially'' part IV are much, much, ''much'' harder than the first case of the first game.
** Miles Edgeworth's game, ''VisualNovel/AceAttorneyInvestigations'', also follows the trope. In the first case you play, there's only two rooms to examine, there's only one person to cross examine, and most of the contradictions are easy to spot.
** Averted in the second ''Investigations'' game. The creator stated he wanted it to have the feel of a final case, and it shows. Despite being short, it contains several witnesses, two Logic Chess segments (though the first is an easy tutorial), numerous {{Red Herring}}s, more than a few plot twists and a DiscOneFinalBoss.
** ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonVsAceAttorney'' has Phoenix's introductory chapter, "The English Turnabout," in which he defends Espella in an English court of law. The trial is fairly simple for a first case, with only two witnesses and relatively obvious contradictions. It also lacks this game's unique mechanics for the Witch Trials, such as having multiple witnesses take the stand, and has no magic-related evidence whatsoever.
* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'', the first trial is this. The trial has a fairly gentle learning curve, especially considering that in some of the early Nonstop Debates, there's only one weak point that can be targeted, and only one piece of evidence to choose from. It also has the most obvious culprit in the series, especially to someone who can read English.
[[/folder]]

** ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' had Santalune Forest, which in a nostalgic throwback had a layout almost identical to Viridian Forest.

** ''VideoGame/Pikmin1'': The Impact Site. There are no enemies (well, aside from the Mamuta, Goolix and the Pearly Clamclamps, but they're a safe distance away from the landing site and the former two won't start appearing anyway until long after Olimar has started exploring the subsequent areas in the game) and there are a lot of pellets nearby to grow more Pikmin.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' has two in the beginning of the game - the Sector 1 and Sector 5 reactors. Though they vary somewhat (Sector 5's reactor has a simple timed button press puzzle, and you're on a timed exit from the Sector 1 reactor that's impossible to accidentally mess up), the two dungeons are actually ''identical'' after a certain point, and both bosses are pretty simple.

*** Also, the Pirate Cave from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'' and Narshe Mines in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' count.

* ''VideoGame/BugFables'' has Snakemouth Den, the very first cave that is explored by the team that would later be named Team Snakemouth. The enemies here are fairly easy, and it mostly serves as a tutorial for basic game mechanics. [[spoiler:However, starting from Chapter 5, the player can visit the [[BonusDungeon optional]] [[AbandonedLaboratory Upper Snakemouth]] area, which is much more difficult than the cave it's located it.]]

** [[FanNickname Chateau (de) Irenicus]] in ''VideoGame/BaldursGate2'', the dungeon you start the game in and must escape from. Known for being so reviled by long-time players that a mod was eventually made just to let people skip it. On an unrelated note, Noob Cave or not, it's easily the thematically darkest dungeon in the whole game, including "Hell".

** The Undead Asylum and Undead Burg from ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsI'' are relatively simple, non-hazardous affairs ([[NintendoHard by Souls standards]]), with mostly basic foes and the occasional BossInMooksClothing to help show you just what skills you're going to need to survive.

** VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas has the Goodsprings Schoolhouse, filled with large mantis.

** ''VI'' has two optional examples in the form of Goblinwatch and The Abandoned Temple. Both house very easy to complete quests and their only residents are weak bats, rats, goblins and cobras, so it is a good idea to visit them.

** The catacombs underneath Pi'llo castle in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam''.

** ''VII'' obliges you to visit the Temple of The Moon if you want to even get out of Emerald Island, and later the Castle Harmondale, which is needed to advance the story. Again the Goblins will be your strongest oponents here. However, the Red Dragon Cave on Emerald Island is ''not'' this trope, as it, as you might have guessed, houses a Red Dragon, normally an endgame monster. You can kill it though if you arm yourself with bows, [[SaveScumming save slots]] and lots of patience.

** Phoenix Wright's very first case can be considered a noob cave. There's only one witness, you have only a four pieces of evidence to use(the autopsy report, the statue, the blackout report and the passport, the latter of which only becomes relevant at the end), and the witness has so many obvious contradictions that pressing him is not even needed.

** Miles Edgeworth's game, ''Ace Attorney Investigations'', also follows the trope. In the first case you play, there's only two rooms to examine, there's only one person to cross examine, and most of the contradictions are easy to spot.
** Averted in the second Miles game. The creator stated he wanted it to have the feel of a final case, and it shows. Despite being short, it contains several witnesses, two Logic Chess segments (though the first is an easy tutorial), numerous {{Red Herring}}s, more than a few plot twists and a DiscOneFinalBoss.
* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'', the first trial is this. The trial has a fairly gentle learning curve, especially considering that in some of the earlier Nonstop Debates, there's only one weak point that can be targeted, and only one piece of evidence to choose from. It also has the most obvious culprit in the series, especially to someone who can read English.

Should not be confused with NoobBridge.

** The Impact Site from the first game. There are no enemies (well, aside from the Mamuta, Goolix and the Pearly Clamclamps, but they're a safe distance away from the landing site and the former two won't start appearing anyway until long after Olimar has started exploring the subsequent areas in the game) and there are a lot of pellets nearby to grow more Pikmin.
** ''VideoGame/Pikmin2'' has the Emergence Cave, which only has the weakest enemies, as well as no bosses or hazards. It is also where you first get Purple Pikmin and has only 2 floors.

* ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'' starts you out in King's Pass, a small area with some basic platforming hazards and only the weakest enemies.