The Wastes

About

"The Wastes" is a post-apocalyptic first-person shooter set in a harsh, open world. Players must scavenge for resources, craft weapons and equipment, and battle against mutated creatures and hostile factions. With a focus on non-linear exploration and player choice, every playthrough offers a unique experience in this dangerous, post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 56 reviews

story6 positive mentions

music2 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of classic FPS games, with satisfying gunplay and a variety of multiplayer modes.
It features bot support for offline play, a mission editor, and a unique 'Invasion' mode that allows for cooperative gameplay against AI enemies.
The developers are actively engaged with the community and are committed to improving the game, which shows potential for future updates and content.

The player base is very low, making it difficult to find online matches, which limits the multiplayer experience.
The AI for bots is poorly designed, often leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, and the game lacks a single-player campaign.
There are significant issues with hit detection, sound design, and overall polish, making it feel like a downgrade from the original mod.

story
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
78%
8%
The game's story is primarily conveyed through its mission structure, which involves strategic weapon use and resource management in tense environments. Players can engage in single-player missions or create their own using a robust mission editor, allowing for a variety of gameplay experiences. While the default missions can be challenging due to scarce supplies and tough enemies, the potential for community-driven content and custom missions adds depth to the overall narrative experience.
- “Wow, the first multiplayer title I know of to offer a single-player mission generator and/or mini campaign.”
- “The game as it stands right now holds a lot of potential, and I hope the developers continue working on this game to add more features to the mission editor, as well as to possibly release or support an official map editor for this game in particular.”
- “The missions mostly seem based around having to pick up a weapon in a specific order and use them smartly with very little ammo and also fast before the enemies start to respawn.”
- “It's the exact same game, only with a reduced sample map set and mission set out of the full product.”
- “In these missions, supplies like ammunition and health are typically very scarce, and the enemies pack a punch if you let them get the drop on you, forcing you to slink around, check your corners, and try to plan engagements to give yourself the best upper hand possible.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The gameplay in the multiplayer modes is fast-paced and reminiscent of classic arena shooters, allowing players to choose an initial loadout and discover better weapons during matches. While it features a robust engine and improved maps, some players find it cluttered with gimmicky elements like dismemberment and vehicles, lacking the impactful gameplay and map design that defined previous successful mods. Overall, it offers a mix of familiar mechanics with a chaotic twist.
- “The gameplay in the multiplayer modes is reminiscent of 'Fistful of Frags,' where you can choose an initial loadout and discover more advanced weapons throughout the match. It's much faster-paced, similar to classic arena shooters.”
- “The weapons are exactly the same, but there are more and better maps, along with improved gameplay, thanks to a robust engine that has all the core mechanics already in place.”
- “The gameplay is intense and impactful, featuring a variety of elements that enhance the experience, making it one of the best deathmatches I've ever had the pleasure of playing.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
50%
33%
The music in the game is generally seen as a strong complement to the world, enhancing the overall experience. However, some players feel that the constant background music detracts from the game's intended atmosphere, particularly during stealth moments, and criticize the interface and control options as janky. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some appreciating the music while others find it intrusive.
- “The music complemented the world well, and I just don't have it in my heart to give this game a negative review.”
- “The background music is there for the purpose of obfuscating this, I believe.”
- “Very janky interface, can't rebind half the controls, ugly HUD, constant unnecessary music on by default that ruins the intense stealth that characterized the original Wastes mod's best moments.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its strong homage to classic Fallout titles, featuring brilliant old 3D design and a captivating post-apocalyptic setting. Reviewers highlight the electrifying gunplay, exceptional art, and sound design that collectively enhance the immersive experience across various maps.
- “The game, as wasteland/wastes HL is a big nod to classic Fallouts, very atmospheric, with brilliant design reminiscent of old 3D games.”
- “Out of all of those, the wastes was the one that struck the right chords with me: the electrifying gunplay, the great art and sound design, and the fantastic post-apocalyptic atmosphere that all of the maps had.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's graphics are praised for their cool aesthetics and well-designed maps, showcasing an engine that has aged well and is optimized for performance, even on older hardware. However, some players feel that the visuals alone are not enough, as they desire additional RPG elements to enhance the overall experience.
- “The engine for this game has both aged like a fine wine and is fairly well optimized, so it runs great even on older computers using integrated graphics.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The promotional material for the game evokes strong emotional responses, leading some players to feel guilty about their negative reviews. This suggests that the game's presentation effectively connects with players on a personal level, highlighting its emotional impact.
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's engine is well-optimized, allowing it to run smoothly on older computers with integrated graphics, showcasing its enduring quality.
- “The engine for this game has both aged like a fine wine and is fairly well optimized, so it runs great even on older computers using integrated graphics.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's engine is well-optimized and performs reliably, allowing it to run smoothly even on older computers with integrated graphics. Overall, players have noted its impressive stability.
- “The engine for this game has both aged like a fine wine and is fairly well optimized, so it runs great even on older computers using integrated graphics.”