Evo\Wave

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 379 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Evo\Wave Game Cover
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Evo\Wave is a 3D platformer featuring LAI-6, an A.I. with a goal to restore the world following the passage of MagnaVex who brought the world back to a retro era.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 379 reviews
music68 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • music111 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its nostalgic, vaporwave-inspired sound that complements the visuals beautifully. While some noted that the soundtrack could become repetitive, the majority found it enjoyable and fitting for the game's aesthetic, contributing significantly to the fun and engaging experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many praising its quality and the fact that it is available for free alongside the game.

    • “A fun 3D platformer collectathon, with a nice atmosphere, complemented by great music, that shows a clear love for video games and their history.”
    • “The soundtrack is wonderful, contributing greatly to the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The vibes are so good and the soundtrack slaps.”
    • “There are reviews that praise the music, but I feel it's above acceptable vaporwave-ish background music, enjoyable but not spectacular as if insane money was spent.”
    • “The only things that I think are lacking in this game are the over-simplistic combat and the soundtrack that becomes a little grating after a while since there isn't a lot of diversity in the music.”
    • “I'd argue that you mute the soundtrack of this game and pull up your favorite synth playlist.”
  • graphics106 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the unique aesthetic that evolves through different levels, transitioning from retro to more modern styles. While some found the visuals charming and fitting for the game's theme, others criticized them as lacking polish or being difficult to look at. Overall, the game's art style, particularly its retro and synthwave influences, has been highlighted as a strong point, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere despite some performance concerns.

    • “The graphics are lovely and the technique of increasing the graphical quality in different worlds, representing different eras, is an approach that I really appreciated.”
    • “The visuals are charmingly old-school, with each of the three levels 'upgrading' to a more advanced visual style, and the soundtrack complements the vaporwave aesthetic with some extremely chill tunes.”
    • “I loved the art styles, and seeing the graphics change after every level and move through the generations is a very, very cool feature.”
    • “Unfortunately, the graphics are a bit painful to look at, and we have to remember that gaming is a visual medium.”
    • “There's not enough in this to make up for the graphics, unfortunately.”
    • “Ironically, the game tries to have an 'evolving art style' but the wireframe style ends up looking way, way better than anything after it, as well as being way more readable than the later art styles.”
  • gameplay62 mentions

    The gameplay of "evo\wave" is characterized by its nostalgic 3D platforming mechanics reminiscent of classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, offering a fun and engaging experience despite its basic controls and graphics. Players appreciate the smooth mechanics, collectathon elements, and the game's ability to run well on low-end systems, making it a solid choice for a free indie title. While some find the gameplay a bit simplistic, it remains enjoyable and provides a satisfying experience for both casual and nostalgic gamers.

    • “The game features platformer gameplay mechanics very similar to the Crash Bandicoot games.”
    • “Amazing short indie game with extremely fluid controls and interesting, yet simple, mechanics.”
    • “Gameplay itself is a joy; a perennial issue with 3D platforming is being able to gauge where you are in relation to the next object to be jumped to, and here this is well handled, with fully adjustable camera angles I never once had an issue with.”
    • “The spin-dash (attack and movement mechanic) is buggy and doesn't always activate on the first try.”
    • “Basic run and jump mechanics, with spin attacks against the occasional enemies, gets supplemented as you go along with the usual double jump, glide, and glitch (turning specific colored blocks/platforms on and off).”
    • “The moveset could be too basic and the content alienating for younger players, but if you were gaming since the NES and Genesis then there is a sense of familiarity in gameplay and content.”
  • story45 mentions

    The story in the game is generally described as simple, generic, and lacking depth, often following a typical save-the-world trope. However, it features amusing elements, pop culture references, and a charming narrative style that some players found enjoyable. While the main storyline is brief, the entertaining side quests and engaging gameplay contribute positively to the overall experience.

    • “The story and dialogue in the game is also pretty funny.”
    • “The story goes that in the world of evo/core, the oldest and grumpiest AI, Magnavex, has corrupted the central processor mainly as a way to get back at the young for existing and for things being different from what they used to be.”
    • “Overall fun simple game with a neat little story.”
    • “The story is fairly simple and lacks innovation; it follows the typical pattern of saving a world, and it's a bit stupid.”
    • “It's incredibly easy to beat, the humor is 90% reddit-tier pop culture references, and the story is (understandably) very barebones.”
    • “The story overall is meh and unforgettable.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of self-aware, sarcastic dialogue and numerous pop culture references, which many players find endearing and entertaining. While some critiques mention that the humor can occasionally fall flat, the overall tone is described as funny and engaging, enhancing the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the lighthearted narrative and the quirky characters, making it a fun and enjoyable platformer.

    • “However, it's fun to see it narrated with a humorous tone aimed at the player.”
    • “If you love the vaporwave aesthetic, humor that's both endearing, self-aware, and kinda cringe, as well as cute platforming, collectibles, and puzzles that may or may not cause minimal rage, then this is the game for you!”
    • “Absolutely love the narrative of this game, dialogues with a funny and sarcastic tone!”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its nostalgic charm, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack that complements the overall experience. While some players wish for a stronger emphasis on retro graphics as the game progresses, the blend of modern and retro elements still creates a delightful ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is described as relaxing and engaging, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “A fun 3D platformer collectathon, with a nice atmosphere, complemented by great music, that shows a clear love for video games and their history.”
    • “The soundtrack is wonderful, contributing greatly to the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Overall, I think it's remarkable that the devs nailed the atmosphere, and I personally wish it leaned harder on retro graphics and vibes since it gets slightly more modern in the art style as you advance, which is interesting but takes a bit from the atmosphere in my humble opinion.”
    • “There's only three main levels of increasing difficulty, and a final boss that's just more platforming (which, to be honest, I vastly prefer to the thought of having an actual boss fight). There is a decidedly retro way to how the game plays and is designed, too... attempts at building an atmosphere mashed up against very video gamey video games that definitely has its charm.”
    • “The gameplay, while not overly complex, felt smooth enough and the atmosphere was relaxing.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can feel tedious at times, it is generally considered "good grindy" due to the manageable challenge of collectibles and the opportunity to spend ample time exploring each map.

    • “Grinding feels tedious and repetitive.”
    • “Completing the game requires a lot of grinding, which can be overwhelming.”
    • “The collectibles lack challenge, making the grinding feel more tedious than rewarding.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by occasional bugs, particularly with the spin-dash mechanic, which may not activate consistently. Additionally, during the boss fight with Magnavex, players experience glitches that can cause character displacement, leading to frustrating falls off platforms. Despite these issues, the overall gameplay remains enjoyable.

    • “The spin-dash (attack and movement mechanic) is buggy and doesn't always activate on the first try.”
    • “The only thing I would say is that during the boss level when you have to fight Magnavex, his attacks can glitch the character backwards, causing you to fall off the platform. It's a little annoying, but other than that, it's a great game.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with players noting great performance; however, some feel that the graphics could be less demanding on system resources.

    • “Graphics could be a little less performance hungry, but other than that, I've enjoyed it very much.”
    • “Great performance.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Players appreciate completely free-to-play games that do not include in-app purchases, emphasizing that these titles offer a risk-free opportunity to try them without any financial commitment.

    • “With most of the completely free-to-play games I've played, I believe it's free, so get it and give it a try... it doesn't cost you anything.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure you into spending money to enjoy the game.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content without requiring any purchases, making it accessible for everyone.”
    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money just to enjoy basic features.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential content is locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
    • “The game constantly bombards you with ads and offers, which detracts from the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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