Retrowave

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,440 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Retrowave Game Cover
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"Retrowave" is a Simulation game that allows both single-player and multiplayer modes with PvP competition. The game boasts amazing visuals and soundtrack, reminiscent of the '80s but with a futuristic twist. However, it features a boring plot but offers perfect gameplay, hilarious moments, and plenty of grinding. With ten unique cars, various worlds, and a focus on the synthwave aesthetic, Retrowave promises a visually immersive and replayable experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,440 reviews
music751 positive mentions
story18 negative mentions
  • music1,460 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its excellent synthwave and retrowave tracks, which perfectly complement the vibrant 80s aesthetic and enhance the overall atmosphere. Many players find the soundtrack to be the standout feature, providing a relaxing backdrop for casual gameplay, although some express disappointment over the inability to select specific songs or the abrupt interruptions of music upon crashing. Overall, the combination of nostalgic tunes and engaging visuals creates a captivating experience that resonates with fans of retro music and aesthetics.

    • “The soundtrack is one of the game’s highlights, with a selection of synthwave tracks that perfectly complement the neon and retro-futuristic visuals.”
    • “The music not only enhances the gameplay experience, but also reinforces the feeling of being immersed in a world inspired by the 80s, contributing to the creation of an authentic and exciting atmosphere.”
    • “With its vibrant visual presentation, catchy soundtrack, and accessible gameplay, the game offers a nostalgic experience that is both refreshing and exciting.”
    • “They advertise 'synthwave' as a feature of the game, but the soundtrack is incredibly generic.”
    • “Waste of money because custom music is locked behind a paywall.”
    • “The music stops when you crash, which kills the vibe.”
  • graphics713 mentions

    The graphics of "Retrowave" are widely praised for their vibrant neon color palette and retro aesthetic, effectively capturing the essence of the 80s through pixel art and stylized visuals. Players appreciate the immersive atmosphere created by the game's stunning visuals, which are complemented by a fitting synthwave soundtrack, making it a nostalgic experience for fans of the era. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are appealing, they can be overly simplistic or occasionally marred by performance issues, particularly on larger displays.

    • “The game utilizes pixel art-style graphics with a vibrant neon color palette, evoking a sense of nostalgia that is central to the experience.”
    • “The neon-lit cityscapes and futuristic environments are a true homage to the aesthetics of the retro era, creating a visually appealing and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the car choices are great, as well as the available modifications.”
    • “The aesthetic is okay in a few places (nights, lights, sunsets) but awfully insultingly bottom-of-the-dumpster level bad in other parts like the fake striped symbolic sun ('look mom it's vaporwave!').”
    • “The graphics are not the best but they are suited for the style that is trying to be portrayed.”
    • “The visual effects of retrowave aren't as much of an aesthetic delight as I had hoped as all the noise, scan-lines, blur, bloom and chromatic aberration everywhere and all the time are simply too much of a good thing.”
  • gameplay341 mentions

    The gameplay of "Retrowave" is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, offering a straightforward driving experience where players navigate a straight road while avoiding traffic. While the mechanics are fluid and responsive, many reviews note that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, making it more suitable for casual play and relaxation rather than intense competition. The vibrant visuals and nostalgic soundtrack enhance the overall experience, appealing to fans of retro aesthetics, but those seeking complex gameplay may find it lacking.

    • “Retrowave combines arcade-style racing and action with well-crafted gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is accessible, allowing new players to have fun while offering enough challenge to keep veterans engaged.”
    • “The combination of stylized graphics, themed music, and dynamic gameplay mechanics creates a cohesive package that appeals to a wide range of players.”
    • “The relatively primitive AI of traffic makes gameplay very repetitive very quickly.”
    • “Nothing too fancy, just a simple game that's more about the atmosphere rather than actual gameplay, because the only thing you do really is drive on a straight, vaporwave-themed road and optionally avoid the other cars.”
    • “The gameplay is limited and it gets very repetitive after a while, but it's fine if you just sit back, relax, and enjoy the music.”
  • atmosphere103 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant neon-lit visuals and nostalgic 80s synthwave soundtrack, creating an immersive and relaxing experience reminiscent of retro arcade games. Players appreciate the combination of beautiful graphics, engaging music, and a chill vibe that allows for enjoyable, low-pressure gameplay. Overall, the game's aesthetic and sound design effectively capture the essence of the retro era, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The neon-lit cityscapes and futuristic environments are a true homage to the aesthetics of the retro era, creating a visually appealing and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The music not only enhances the gameplay experience, but also reinforces the feeling of being immersed in a world inspired by the 80s, contributing to the creation of an authentic and exciting atmosphere.”
    • “A beautiful recreation of 80's neon and an amazingly atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “But for a game whose atmosphere is so chill, it feels out of place to have handling and brake buffs like an actual racing game, and for you to grind for it.”
    • “Nothing too fancy, just a simple game that's more about the atmosphere rather than actual gameplay, because the only thing you do really is drive on a straight, vaporwave-themed road and optionally avoid the other cars.”
    • “The atmosphere is well realized, but the gamepad controls are horrible.”
  • story69 mentions

    The game lacks a traditional storyline, with many users noting the absence of a narrative or missions, focusing instead on driving mechanics and an engaging neo-80s atmosphere. While some players appreciate the freedom of gameplay without a structured story, others express a desire for missions or a more immersive experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game prioritizes driving enjoyment over storytelling.

    • “But it gets the neo 80s tone absolutely right and makes you wish to have a complete game a la GTA right in front of you: stopping, leaving your car and progressing a cool story.”
    • “Bought for the theme, stayed for the first-person driving and storyline.”
    • “Sob story: I've played this game twice and it's already made me get close to crying, and made me so relaxed and content.”
    • “Needless to say, there's no such thing as a story mode; you start by selecting your desired music track and your car, which can later be customized with some visual and inner improvements, then you select the stage where you're going to race, and last but not least, the difficulty settings that you'd like to endure.”
    • “Well, there's not a storyline. And with no storyline comes the other parts of that: no factions, no challenges, no dailies, and most importantly, no grinding!”
    • “I have never been more immersed in a game and there's not even a story or world that exists.”
  • grinding53 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly when pursuing achievements or unlocking upgrades. While some appreciate the casual nature of the gameplay, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grind feels unbalanced and often lacks meaningful rewards, leading to a sense of emptiness and frustration. Overall, players suggest that the grind detracts from the enjoyment, making it a significant drawback for those seeking a more engaging experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “And with no story-line comes the other parts of that, no factions, no challenges, no dailies, and most importantly no grinding!”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “It's very grindy, so achievements are worthless (which is essential for scoring games).”
    • “The grind itself I found to be extremely tedious.”
    • “The only reason to keep the game playing longer would be to get all the achievements... which is extremely tedious, grindy, and boring.”
  • optimization35 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on mid-range systems and offers responsive controls, some players report significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware and with excessive visual effects. Additionally, there are complaints about input lag and subpar menu transitions, suggesting that further optimization could enhance the overall experience. Despite these issues, many users appreciate the game's graphics and nostalgic atmosphere.

    • “There are unlockable customization options (car color, license plates, wheel rims) and performance upgrades.”
    • “You can also customize your car (change performance, color, etc.).”
    • “Performance upgrades include engine, brakes, turbo, nitrous, and steering.”
    • “To my surprise, this Steam game is (as far as I can tell) not running any bitcoin mining software nor is it malicious, if just poorly optimized.”
    • “Very unoptimized game for the kind of graphics it has; also, the input lag is very strong.”
    • “Menu transition and performance is sub-par.”
  • stability20 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report minimal glitches and a generally enjoyable experience, others encounter frequent bugs, particularly in multiplayer and controller support. Many acknowledge the game's early access status, suggesting that while it lacks polish, improvements are being made over time. Occasional graphical and collision issues are noted, but most players find them non-game-breaking.

    • “No glitches I encountered.”
    • “No glitches.”
    • “Runs great, looks pretty good, and the music selection is fantastic.”
    • “Multiplayer is a little buggy at the moment, but it is very fun to race friends.”
    • “However, controller support seems to be buggy and awkward even after the latest update.”
    • “I ran into glitches a couple of times where I crashed hard enough to have my car pushed through the track.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a decent level of replayability, bolstered by a variety of cars, customization options, and engaging gameplay modes. While some players find the upgrades repetitive and suggest that multiplayer features could enhance replay value, many appreciate the enjoyable soundtrack and nostalgic elements that contribute to its addictive nature. Ratings for replayability generally hover around 7/10, indicating a solid but not exceptional replay experience.

    • “A variety of cars and highways allows for decent replay value and gives the player a goal to work towards.”
    • “The enormous amount of customization and gameplay tweaks make this a game with plenty of replay value, if not just to listen to the absolute banging soundtrack that conveniently lets you know exactly what song is playing as well.”
    • “Tons of customizable old-school and futuristic cars provides endless replayability with its very addictive gameplay.”
    • “Upgrades add replay value but are repetitive per car, and this is clearly a one-man show dev team... but for $3 this game is a steal!”
    • “There's almost no replay value.”
    • “-it feels like adding split screen/online multiplayer would give this game much more potential and replay value.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as quirky and situational, with players finding amusement in unexpected glitches, such as flying cars after collisions and amusing car customizations. The retro graphics and simple gameplay contribute to a lighthearted experience, making it enjoyable for players looking for a fun and relaxing time. Overall, while humor can be hit or miss depending on the situation, many find it to be a delightful aspect of the game.

    • “Very nice game: funny, cheap and with cool retro graphics.”
    • “There's a glitch that happens very rarely where if you rear-end a big truck fast enough (330), you go flying before you die and sometimes even end up surviving. Very funny, please don't patch.”
    • “Car customization is very cool and kept simple, with a surprising amount to choose from and some funny inclusions such as the [spoiler] Tesla Cybertruck [/spoiler] and the JDM spooly boi. NOS noises are great.”
    • “It's not funny when they spawn 1 second away from the player.”
    • “The jokes feel forced and fall flat, lacking any real wit.”
    • “I expected humor, but instead, I got cringeworthy attempts at comedy.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The monetization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its fair pricing and lack of intrusive microtransactions, while others criticize it as a cash grab, particularly in relation to certain downloadable content (DLC) offerings. Overall, players appreciate the absence of common monetization pitfalls like loot boxes and excessive in-game purchases, highlighting the game's value as a refreshing alternative in a market often plagued by exploitative practices.

    • “No DLC purchases, no advertising, or other bells and whistles.”
    • “All in all, this game would work splendidly as an arcade cabinet game, or as a mobile game (provided there are no microtransactions).”
    • “Retrowave game might be cheap but it is nothing more than a cash grab.”
    • “Another lazy Unity-based cash grab, but a good one at that.”
    • “- 2 out of 3 DLCs are just cash grabs for the dev.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotions regarding the game, highlighting its nostalgic 80s aesthetic and engaging animated features, which evoke a sense of creativity and beauty. However, the gameplay modes are perceived as shallow, lacking depth and complexity, leading to a somewhat uncomfortable user experience. Overall, while the game captures a retro emotional vibe, it struggles to deliver a compelling narrative or gameplay that resonates deeply with players.

    • “This game made me feel like Ryan Gosling.”
    • “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.”
    • “Retro-emotional cathode ray tube, but this is all of this game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

3hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
3-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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