Coldwake

About

Coldwake is a single player casual simulation game with drama, mystery, post-apocalyptic and science fiction themes. It was developed by MadLeap Games and was released on February 13, 2026. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Coldwake is a text-driven mystery set in the icy aftermath of a global collapse. Armed with nothing but an old terminal and your curiosity, you’ll dig through corrupted logs, hidden directories, and fragmented memories buried in a forgotten facility. Every command you type is a key—one that might unlock a lost file, a piece of a shattered mind, or a chilling secret about what really happened benea…

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 25 reviews

story10 positive mentions

Emotionally compelling and beautifully crafted story with strong character writing.
Engaging puzzle and cipher mechanics that enhance the exploration and uncovering of the narrative.
Simple, intuitive terminal interface with immersive audio and retro aesthetics that complement the storytelling.

Game is relatively short, offering about 1.5 to 2.5 hours of gameplay, leading to some wishing for more content.
Some puzzles, especially ciphers, can be confusing or require external knowledge, lacking an in-game decoder.
Limited replayability and simplicity may not appeal to players seeking more complex or graphically ambitious experiences.

story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
31%
16%
The story is highly praised for being emotionally compelling, well-crafted, and thoughtfully written, often delivered through decrypting logs and hidden keywords. It captivates players with its intriguing, heartwarming, and original narrative that unfolds gradually, leaving a lasting impact despite the game's relatively short length. Many players express genuine investment and desire for more content due to the story's depth and unique presentation.
- “The story itself is emotionally compelling, the character writing feels very genuine, and its presentation only adds to the narrative instead of just being something tacked on.”
- “While the retro-terminal aesthetics are also very nicely done, and the soundtrack is excellent, the story is really where the game shines – it packs quite a bit of emotional impact, much more than I would have expected given the length of the game.”
- “By the end I got genuinely invested, piecing together the story felt great.”
- “It may not have crazy secrets or replayability, but it tells a story, and does that well.”
- “Mechanically simple, the game uses this to tell the story of what happened until this point.”
- “A short story, told by keywords in a frozen apocalypse.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay is mechanically simple, centered around typing commands and searching logs for keywords to progress the story. While it may feel slow or unengaging for players seeking more stimulation, its built-in guidance helps prevent missing key lore, making it a charming experience, especially for those who appreciate a more relaxed pace.
- “Don't worry too much about missing key lore due to the command typing mechanic; the game has an inbuilt system to help direct you to important commands and keywords eventually.”
- “Really sweet game, with fun gameplay, a few cyphers, and puzzles.”
- “Mechanically simple, the game uses this simplicity to tell the story of what happened until this point.”
- “If you are used to more stimulating gameplay then you might find this downright boring.”
- “Mechanically simple, the game uses this to tell the story of what happened until this point.”
- “Suffice to say, mechanically speaking, you scour logs looking for the keywords needed to advance the plot.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's emotionally compelling story is enhanced by genuine character writing and a well-integrated presentation. Its excellent soundtrack effectively highlights emotional moments, making the narrative both fascinating and heartwarming. Overall, the emotional impact is surprisingly strong, especially considering the game's length.
- “The story itself is emotionally compelling, the character writing feels very genuine, and its presentation only adds to the narrative instead of just being something tacked on.”
- “While the retro-terminal aesthetics are also very nicely done, and the soundtrack is excellent, the story is really where the game shines – it packs quite a bit of emotional impact, much more than I would have expected given the length of the game.”
- “The music is also pretty good, and helps accentuate those emotional moments while serving as a good backdrop to the reading experience.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music is praised for its quality and effectively enhancing emotional moments, providing a fitting backdrop to the narrative-driven experience. The excellent soundtrack complements the game's retro-terminal aesthetics, contributing significantly to the overall emotional impact.
- “The music is also pretty good, and helps accentuate those emotional moments while serving as a good backdrop to the reading experience.”
- “While the retro-terminal aesthetics are also very nicely done, and the soundtrack is excellent, the story is really where the game shines – it packs quite a bit of emotional impact, much more than I would have expected given the length of the game.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics employ a well-executed retro-terminal style that effectively supports the "console mystery" theme with simple, intuitive visuals. While not highly ambitious, the aesthetic is polished and complements the game's overall atmosphere.
- “While not as graphically ambitious as Stories Untold or Hypnospace Outlaw, it does the 'console mystery' effectively with only a few moving parts and a very intuitive interface.”
- “While the retro-terminal aesthetics are also very nicely done, and the soundtrack is excellent, the story is really where the game shines – it packs quite a bit of emotional impact, much more than I would have expected given the length of the game.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a well-told story but lacks significant secrets or replay value, resulting in limited replayability.