It Comes In Waves

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 232 reviews
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
  • story
It Comes In Waves Game Cover
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"It Comes In Waves" is a minimalist game set on the harsh desert planet of Eremar Prime. As a lone outcast, you must scavenge for resources, fight off raiders and creatures, and make tough choices to survive while trying to grow a specimen for The Sanctuary. The game features exploration, combat, and resource management with water being the main resource. Death is permanent, with no option to reload, making each decision crucial for survival.

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Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 232 reviews
gameplay19 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • Great atmosphere and beautiful visuals that evoke a sense of desolation and loneliness.
  • Engaging gameplay with a unique resource management mechanic centered around water and specimen growth.
  • Short but impactful experience that leaves players reflecting on themes of grief and survival.
  • Very short gameplay length, often completed in under an hour, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • Combat mechanics feel basic and lack depth, with enemies being easily defeated and not posing much of a challenge.
  • Permadeath and lack of save options can be frustrating, as players must restart the game upon dying.
  • gameplay63 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and minimalist mechanics, focusing on resource management and exploration within a compact, atmospheric world. While many players appreciate the effective use of basic mechanics and the urgency created by survival elements, some criticize the lack of depth and variety, noting that the experience can feel short and repetitive. Overall, the game offers a satisfying, albeit brief, experience that blends narrative and gameplay effectively, appealing to those looking for a unique, immersive journey.

    • “Still, it doesn't take away from the simple and effective gameplay that made it my high recommendation for anyone to play to experience this immersive world.”
    • “The gameplay is really simple, but it creates a really simple yet effective gameplay loop, as you are constantly moving from one area to the next trying to find water and specimen grow-capsules, all while avoiding dehydration and death.”
    • “Gorgeous visuals, simple but effective gameplay, and a surprising heart underneath it all.”
    • “The jump mechanic is really bad.”
    • “Bare-bones mechanics with no depth or decision-making (one gun, one enemy type, if you see anything collect it).”
    • “Don't expect much in terms of gameplay beyond some basic shooting.”
  • atmosphere61 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beauty and depth, with many reviewers highlighting its evocative sound design, retro visuals, and emotional resonance. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a compelling mood, often describing it as atmospheric, lonely, and reflective, which enhances the minimalist storytelling. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its standout feature, making it a memorable experience despite its short length and simple mechanics.

    • “This is a beautiful piece of work, with impressive atmosphere and sound, and a moving theme.”
    • “The real star of the show here is the atmosphere provided by the landscape, day/night cycles, and music.”
    • “This game is wonderfully atmospheric and beautiful; I love the general aesthetic and the smart use of low-poly to let the imagination fill in details about the characters!”
    • “The atmosphere is dense.”
    • “Story-wise it's also pretty sad, there's this lonely atmosphere and you're an outcast; everyone seems to dislike you.”
    • “The grand atmosphere is intense as you wander through the desert.”
  • story49 mentions

    The game's story is minimal yet compelling, set in a desolate, atmospheric world that enhances its emotional depth. Players are drawn into a personal mission filled with mystery and introspection, where the sparse narrative elements effectively complement the gameplay. While some desire a more extensive storyline, the concise and poignant storytelling resonates with many, making it a memorable experience.

    • “A super interesting, sober, calm, desolate game that immerses you in a hot, dry, hostile world, and introduces just enough story and narrative to hook you and keep you interested.”
    • “The story had me intrigued enough to see it through to the end.”
    • “Ultimately, the game is a concise, beautiful experience that was clearly curated with a careful hand and a desire to create a world to hold up a deeply intimate story.”
    • “There is no real story except a few cryptic lines - but in combination with the atmosphere and overall design, it felt like a deep, very deep story.”
    • “The story is not as deep as people here are making it out to be.”
    • “The game doesn't really have a whole lot of story.”
  • graphics41 mentions

    The game's graphics are widely praised for their nostalgic low-poly and retro aesthetic, reminiscent of PS1 and N64 titles, which effectively create a charming and atmospheric experience. Reviewers highlight the beautiful world design, mood, and art style, noting that the visuals enhance the game's emotional depth despite its simplicity. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive and evocative storytelling.

    • “Phenomenal world design, mood, and art style.”
    • “The graphic is so wistful, it's pixelated and low poly, but the quality is so awesome, it feels better than most AAA games.”
    • “It's a beautiful game, and it has a gorgeous art style.”
    • “Ps1 era graphics”
    • “This game has 'shitty' graphics, it's short, it has almost no story and yet it is completely worth it!”
    • “A mood piece, immersing you in the feeling of grief via ps1 graphics.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    Players find the game to be a deeply emotional experience, evoking personal memories and feelings, particularly through its heartfelt narrative and themes of self-forgiveness. The atmospheric design and poignant storytelling resonate with players, offering a refreshing departure from typical action-oriented titles and providing emotional support during times of grief. Overall, the game successfully engages players on an emotional level, leaving a lasting impact.

    • “This game is atmospheric and heartfelt.”
    • “Sometimes I am so harsh on myself, and the repeated 'forgive yourself' lines made me feel emotional.”
    • “An amazing story - it's simple, but it's very emotional and understandable; I love such things in games.”
  • music9 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a blend of eerie and foreboding tones. While some reviewers question its status as a "masterpiece," they agree that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's aesthetic and immersive environment. Overall, the sound design complements the gameplay, creating a satisfying backdrop for exploration and action.

    • “The game's aesthetic and music are wonderful facets of an overall great experience.”
    • “The real star of the show here is the atmosphere provided by the landscape, day/night cycles, and music.”
    • “The music is also brilliant, in a foreboding, gloomy way.”
    • “The soundtrack is eerie, and though gameplay is easy, the hunt for water kept me on my toes, so I was never allowed to feel comfortable.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game is not developed far enough to be much more than a repetitive shooter where you pick up a few items, but it's still kinda fun to just run around and take screenshots; the music and just the overall vibes are on point.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players appreciate the lack of tedious resource management, such as food or oxygen, which makes the grinding experience feel less burdensome. However, some find the gameplay can become monotonous, particularly due to the repetitive nature of movement and the limited content, despite the satisfying combat mechanics. Overall, while the game is not designed for extensive grinding, it offers a unique experience for those who enjoy shorter, less conventional titles.

    • “Despite being short, much of the playtime is sort of boring and tedious.”
    • “This is no walking simulator, but holding down 'W' for so long is somewhat tedious.”
    • “If you are a fan of unique little gems with their heart in the right place, even if they might have some jank and aren't really meant for grinding for 20+ hours collecting 20 flags like you're in Assassin's Creed, it's just you trying to make sure you don't die of thirst while waiting for your specimen to grow.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game's stability is criticized due to buggy controls and frequent glitches, leading to multiple restarts. However, it runs well on the Steam Deck, and players feel the low price of $3 is justified despite these issues. A more robust save system is recommended to mitigate frustrations from the game's instability.

    • “Definitely worth the $3 price tag, and it runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Only one level, extremely short, buggy controls.”
    • “There is never a situation where the game doesn't need a save system. I already restarted your game like 8 times because of the glitches or RNG fall damage. At least a few fixed save points would have been better.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers low replay value, though the initial exploration of the map is engaging. While it has potential for a more enjoyable rogue-lite experience, it currently lacks the elements that would encourage repeated playthroughs.

    • “It has the building blocks for a really fun, replayable rogue-lite.”
    • “The replay value is low, but exploring the map for the first time is rather interesting.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying the game feel redundant.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The game effectively establishes character development within its brief playtime, particularly in the initial environment, while also receiving praise for its character design.

    • “While this is a short game, it took me roughly 30 minutes to complete, and it did a wonderful job of establishing character development in the first environment.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is characterized by transparent marketing, fair pricing, and straightforward advertising, which users appreciate for its honesty.

    • “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “I feel like I'm being pushed to spend more than I should just to keep up with other players.”
    • “The in-game purchases are way too expensive and often feel necessary to progress.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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