Breakwaters

About

Breakwaters is a single player and multiplayer survival simulation game. It was developed by Soaring Pixels Games and was released on December 9, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In the oceans depths lies the key to defeating Titans and bringing calm to the waves. Sail the waters to find new islands with resources to build, craft, and survive.

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Play Modes

+15

Skip User Reviews

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 634 reviews

story13 positive mentions

optimization12 negative mentions

The game features stunning water physics and beautiful graphics, creating an immersive experience.
The developers are responsive and actively working on updates and bug fixes, showing commitment to improving the game.
The concept of manipulating water and exploring a vast ocean world is unique and engaging, offering a fresh take on the survival genre.

The game suffers from performance issues, including low FPS and camera sensitivity problems that can cause motion sickness.
Many players have encountered bugs that hinder gameplay, such as broken quests and inventory management issues.
The game feels unfinished and lacks content, with some players expressing disappointment over the lack of features promised during the game's announcement.

story
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
78%
10%
The game's story is generally perceived as lacking depth and coherence, with many players noting that the mission system is buggy and often leads to confusion or frustration. While some appreciate the potential for an engaging narrative and the intriguing world, the execution is marred by technical issues and a barebones quest structure, leaving players eager for updates and improvements. Overall, the story feels underdeveloped, with many players expressing hope for future enhancements as the game progresses through early access.
- “I never write reviews, but I'm patiently waiting for a major update on the game. I already finished the story and killed the serpent, and it was a blast—one of the best 13 hours I've played on a game for sure.”
- “The story has a lot of mystery yet is very clear about what you have to do. There are also not a whole lot of quests, which is nice; most quests after the first island give you bigger goals so you have time to play the game you want.”
- “As you uncover the secrets of the underwater world, you'll encounter intriguing characters and unravel a touching story of courage, friendship, and the power of nature.”
- “The story quest line, for me anyway, seems broken/buggy.”
- “Big map full of islands with nothing on them, no real incentive to play with the water physics, and like a half dozen missions that don't really function that well.”
- “The quests are a bit obtuse and the inventory could use an immediate increase since there are so many items in the start of the game.”
gameplay
101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
4%
The gameplay in Breakwaters is characterized by its innovative water mechanics and engaging exploration elements, which many players find captivating. However, the controls and overall mechanics are often criticized for being clunky and unrefined, leading to a frustrating experience at times. While the game shows great potential with its unique concepts, it currently suffers from a lack of polish and coherence in its gameplay loop, leaving some players feeling that it resembles a tech demo rather than a fully realized game.
- “The water mechanics are super cool and really bring the ocean to life.”
- “Gameplay - this game has some of the best water physics I've ever seen.”
- “The combination of exploration, puzzle-solving, and platforming elements keeps the gameplay fresh and rewarding, encouraging you to think creatively and use your powers strategically.”
- “The very strange choice to not include any underwater mechanics/gameplay in a game centered around the ocean, featuring a fantastic and gorgeous liquid system with great caustics physics, is puzzling. It really feels like there should be underwater gameplay.”
- “The 'survival gameplay' was passable a few years ago, but other survival games have come along with far better realized mechanics and more polish, within a similar development timeline and team size.”
- “The gameplay is, in my opinion, a bit too monotone, and you're never sure what to do next.”
graphics
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
4%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful water dynamics and overall art style, which create an immersive atmosphere. However, several users report performance issues, including low frame rates and graphical downgrades over time, particularly on medium to high settings. While the visuals are generally considered appealing, there are significant concerns about optimization and technical stability that detract from the experience.
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the mechanics are working properly.”
- “Very cool water mechanics, great style and graphics.”
- “The graphics, art style, and lighting...simply amazing.”
- “I saw the bad, the worse, and I decided to give it time to 'cook'... came back after a year and there were no changes - even a downgrade in graphics, as the water (main part of the game) was looking worse (it was beautiful before, not pixelated and well, ugly).”
- “I just bought the game and loaded it up, created a new character and world, looking pretty nice but once I got in I had less than 2 fps. I adjusted the graphics settings to basically minimum and still had terrible fps (barely improved). If this game is given time and work (and much optimization) it could be the best, but right now if you want it, buy it on sale then wait for patches before playing.”
- “The game is good, but it requires a lot of work... when I open the application everything is fine, but when I enter the world everything sticks. I cannot do many things because the game runs very slowly. I have a good graphics card and a relatively mediocre computer.”
optimization
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
60%
24%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as low frame rates, stuttering, and freezing, particularly in graphically demanding scenarios. While some users report better performance on high-end systems, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization and bug fixes to reach its potential. Frequent updates are expected, but many recommend waiting for improvements before fully engaging with the game.
- “Drastic frame drops around big buildings and active environments can use some optimization improvement, but other than that, it runs and plays incredible. The content is here for sure.”
- “Huge amounts of potential; once the optimization gets a bit better (DLSS would be great), this will be a true gem.”
- “This game has great potential but definitely needs to be tweaked and optimized.”
- “The game is poorly optimized and becomes incredibly choppy as a result.”
- “This game has the worst performance capabilities of any game I've ever played.”
- “But the game is too poorly optimized and too unpolished at the moment to recommend.”
stability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and issues particularly affecting multiplayer functionality, leading to a frustrating experience for many players. While some users acknowledge the game's potential and enjoy the solo experience, the overall consensus is that it remains too buggy and unoptimized, hindering progress and enjoyment. Many players express disappointment over the lack of communication from developers regarding these issues, especially concerning promised multiplayer features that have since been removed.
- “I have tested on Ubuntu 20.04 with Proton v6, and it runs great. Performance is about the same. The only issue is that the video in the main menu isn't showing correctly, but who cares?”
- “Runs great for me, but I have a good PC.”
- “It runs great on my PC. People are probably just using old hardware. I'm using a GTX 1070 with an i9 10850K processor, and it runs great.”
- “This game is a buggy mess.”
- “Bought the game with friends to play multiplayer; the game was too buggy to be playable, and I returned a few months later to find that multiplayer has been removed altogether. The dev refuses to recognize that they even promised multiplayer.”
- “Broken disaster, the co-op is crap. While trying to play with a friend who is in-game, you can't join unless they exit the game and relaunch the lobby. The game does not save right, freezes and crashes. Mid-game join should be implemented. When you play co-op, the first island's missions/quests go fine, but as soon as you get to the second island, the missions/quests break because the NPCs do not show up, causing glitches, items to not spawn or drop, and the game to freeze or boot you out.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many players praising its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere. However, some users noted issues with sound design, particularly that other audio elements can be difficult to hear. While the soundtrack is appreciated, there are suggestions for more variety in the music selection.
- “Graphics and music are nice and the concept is great.”
- “The musical score of Breakwaters deserves special mention, as it perfectly complements the serene atmosphere of the game.”
- “The music is really pretty and I would listen to it even when not playing the game.”
- “No faith in this team, disappointing given how incredible the OST is, and how incredible the idea itself is.”
- “Cant turn off music”
- “I turn music off (for recording)”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed bag; while some appreciate the balance in harvesting and crafting that keeps it engaging without being overly tedious, others feel that certain elements, like limited inventory and repetitive tasks, can make the experience feel grindy and frustrating. The crafting system is generally well-received, but some players express a desire for improvements to streamline the process and reduce tedium, especially in relation to NPC interactions and item acquisition.
- “The game feels grindy; I have found myself going to a different island multiple times to get an item for crafting. The inventory is far too limited.”
- “Boss seems laughably overpowered even if I did spend the time grinding to get better equipment, which I won't do because it doesn't seem worth it yet.”
- “I really don't see the need for a survival crafting aspect to this game when it feels tedious almost all the time, especially when the main selling point of this game is the physics of the water, which are amazing.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, coherent environmental design, and serene musical score, creating a captivating and immersive experience. Players appreciate the charming and chill gameplay, likening it to titles like Valheim while emphasizing the game's unique focus on water physics and island exploration. Overall, the atmosphere is described as beautiful and engaging, significantly enhancing the gameplay experience.
- “I like the feel of it in terms of atmosphere; the ocean, the islands, and the titans all feel very coherent.”
- “It looks stunning, with great atmosphere and music. Beautiful graphics for an early access title; it feels like Valheim with NPCs and centered around water physics.”
- “The musical score of Breakwaters deserves special mention, as it perfectly complements the serene atmosphere of the game.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game showcases a profound emotional depth through its touching narrative of courage, friendship, and the power of nature, enhancing player immersion and making each interaction feel significant. Despite being in early development, the engaging story and intriguing characters promise a meaningful journey, supported by stunning visuals and innovative gameplay. Overall, players anticipate a heartfelt experience that resonates deeply.
- “As you uncover the secrets of the underwater world, you'll encounter intriguing characters and unravel a touching story of courage, friendship, and the power of nature.”
- “The emotional depth of the narrative adds an extra layer of immersion and gives purpose to your journey, making each discovery and interaction feel meaningful and impactful.”
- “With its breathtaking visuals, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a heartfelt narrative, it offers an enchanting and unforgettable experience.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for misleading advertising, particularly regarding its multiplayer features, leading users to advise against purchasing until the game is fully functional.
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending a lot of money.”
- “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, which ruins the overall experience.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the gameplay and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a fun experience.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted as very funny, with players enjoying the comedic elements of its buggy nature. While the glitches can be frustrating, they often add to the humor, making the experience entertaining and lighthearted.
- “Very funny game.”
- “Be prepared for a hilarious, buggy mess.”
- “Plenty of bugs, all either funny or easy to fix with save and reset.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers suggest that the game's replayability may be limited at present, with many recommending waiting for future updates to enhance the experience before purchasing. The current state of the game indicates that it may not offer sufficient replay value until improvements are made.
- “It looks like the devs are posting a lot of updates, so my advice would be to save your money and think about buying into the early access in a couple of months, when hopefully this will be more playable.”