Wave Break

Wave Break is a whole lotta fun, with its zany Tony Hawk’s and boating mash-up making for a unique and enjoyable experience. It’ll just take a fair bit of practice to master, with the tricky controls, challenging objectives, and sometimes awkward camera making for a rough time at first. When you finally nail it though? A good time is DEFINITELY to be had. It does have a few missteps here and there, but I would happily recommend Wave Break – especially for gamers who enjoy the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series (or maybe just want to listen to some Weezer).

73%Game Brain Score

music, gameplay

story, stability

84% User Score Based on 75 reviews

Critic Score 62%Based on 10 reviews

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About

Wave Break is a single player and multiplayer arcade shooter game. It was developed by Funktronic Labs and was released on June 11, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Wave Break is a fast-paced arcade-style skateboarding game set in a vibrant, retro-inspired world. Perform tricks, grind on rails, and catch big air off ramps, all while riding waves on a wakeboard. Compete in online matches, customize your character and board, and enjoy an original funk soundtrack. Experience a unique blend of extreme sports and water-based stunts in this thrilling game.

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 75 reviews

music18 positive mentions

stability8 negative mentions

Wave Break offers a unique blend of skateboarding and boating mechanics, providing an exhilarating experience that rewards skill and creativity.
The vibrant neon aesthetics and synthwave soundtrack create an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
The game features a robust park creator and various modes, allowing for customization and replayability, catering to different playstyles.

The steep learning curve and clunky controls can be frustrating for new players, making it difficult to enjoy the game fully.
Level design issues, including confusing layouts and bugs, can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
The lack of a comprehensive tutorial and move list leaves players feeling lost, hindering their ability to master the game's mechanics.

music
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
36%
9%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its vibrant synthwave soundtrack, which perfectly complements the retro-futuristic art style and enhances the overall gameplay experience. While many players find the soundtrack to be a standout feature, some note that it can become repetitive due to a limited number of tracks. Overall, the combination of great music and engaging gameplay creates a nostalgic and enjoyable atmosphere reminiscent of classic skating games.
- “Neon palettes, pastel sunsets, and retro-futuristic architecture define its spaces, while a driving synth soundtrack fuels momentum and mood.”
- “The controls are a little clunky and the music's a bit too chill but it looks good and the levels are very well designed and bring strong early Tony Hawk vibes.”
- “If you are a fan of synthwave music, this soundtrack is heaven, pairing very well with the art direction, making it very easy to get into a relaxed flow with the mix of chill and upbeat tracks.”
- “The soundtrack invokes the feels I needed to maintain my skate flow and is probably the single best soundtrack I've heard in any game this year so far.”
gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
39%
13%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its unique water physics, which influence movement and mechanics, making it distinct yet challenging. While many players appreciate the satisfying combo system and smooth controls reminiscent of classic titles like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, others find the controls clunky and the difficulty level high, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, the game offers a blend of engaging mechanics and a vibrant aesthetic, but it requires significant practice to master its intricacies.
- “What makes the game distinct is how water physics shape these mechanics: momentum carries farther, turns are broader, and lining up a grind often requires anticipating drift and current rather than snapping to an angle.”
- “Great vibes, great soundtrack, great gameplay.”
- “The core gameplay works very well; it's very satisfying and fun to pull off a sick combo.”
- “I’m not sure if I've ever played a game with clunkier control of movement than this—to begin with, more of the gameplay involves 3D platforming than actually boating/skating, and this is ironically easier to do running around on foot (with your character who, putting it generously, has the physics of a Fall Guys character) than with the boat.”
- “As much as I love the style of Wave Break, it feels like there was absolutely no polishing or playtesting of the gameplay or player experience, as it’s incredibly confusing, clumsy, and buggy.”
- “In order to even have a chance at building up a decent combo, I had to more or less mash around while recording my gameplay with a gamepad viewer, then rewatch it frame-by-frame to figure out what button combos triggered what tricks, and even then, after hours of practice, I’m sure there’s a lot I still don’t know.”
story
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
72%
14%
The story in the game features an episodic mode where players control animals on speedboats, completing humorous and often challenging missions reminiscent of classic arcade titles. While the narrative is entertaining and infused with 1980s pop culture references, the steep learning curve and strict timers can make early gameplay feel punishing. Overall, the story adds a fun layer to the gameplay, balancing traditional objectives with unique, mission-driven tasks.
- “The story is funny and enough to keep you going but not too intrusive.”
- “Things are mixed up a little with story-related quests that play out like scenes from a 1980s TV show, or something from GTA Vice City.”
- “In Wave Break's episodic story mode, players take control of animals riding speedboats.”
- “The way you have to navigate your boat and trying to collect mission items is so counterintuitive to actually enjoying the gameplay.”
- “In story mode, you have a three-minute timer for each run to complete any of your checklist, which, if I’m honest, felt a little restricting.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
25%
19%
The graphics of "Wave Break" are widely praised for their vibrant, neon-soaked aesthetic that channels a retro 80s vibe, complemented by colorful environments and a synthwave soundtrack. Reviewers appreciate the stylish visuals and creative design, noting that the game's art style enhances the overall experience and sets it apart from other titles in the genre. The attention to detail and the fun, playful graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the skateboarding genre.
- “Branded as 'skateboating,' the game wears its influences proudly while committing to a neon-soaked identity all its own, channeling synthwave aesthetics, irreverent humor, and a relentless focus on flow.”
- “The art style chosen for the game is very colorful, and there's plenty of different environments to skate around in, so I doubt things are ever going to end up feeling 'samey.' The music complements the tone of what they're going for in Wave Break perfectly.”
- “You can tell by looking at the visuals and well-designed world how much love went into the game.”
- “Aesthetically, Wave Break is unapologetic.”
- “Yeah, reused pattern of THPS and all the games of the kind that were there before, but it's what we needed to get with a small twist and with really cute graphics.”
- “The art style chosen for the game is very colorful, and there's plenty of different environments to skate around in, so I doubt things are ever going to end up feeling 'samey'.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized by its irreverent and darkly comedic moments, drawing inspiration from 1980s pop culture while maintaining a unique identity. Players appreciate the clever writing, amusing storylines, and playful elements, such as humorous flavor text and quirky animations, which enhance the overall experience. The developer's engaging personality and sense of humor further contribute to the game's lighthearted atmosphere.
- “Branded as 'skateboating,' the game wears its influences proudly while committing to a neon-soaked identity all its own, channeling synthwave aesthetics, irreverent humor, and a relentless focus on flow.”
- “The clever and fashionable ad, which pays homage to 1980s television programs like Miami Vice, is amusing and full of darkly humorous moments.”
- “There's also a nice layer of humor over everything, from flavor text for cosmetic items to the mouse cursor sneakily giving you the bird at all times.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is significantly hampered by numerous bugs, glitches, and clipping issues, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences such as getting stuck in geometry or falling through the map. While the developers show dedication to the project, the lack of thorough playtesting and polish results in a clumsy and confusing player experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.
- “The level design is also a buggy mess—there are so many places where you can get stuck in a tiny gap and be unable to move out, move in and out of weird geometry edges, or even clip through the floor and fall out of the map.”
- “I’m sure there are more things I’m forgetting, but I hope by now a theme is clear—as much as I love the style of Wave Break, it feels like there was absolutely no polishing or playtesting of the gameplay or player experience, as it’s incredibly confusing, clumsy, and buggy.”
- “Too bad I was fighting the camera, physics, and controls much of the game rather than just having fun, including bugs, glitches, and clipping behind walls.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
While the game emphasizes optimization and precision in its time attack and score-focused challenges, performance issues, bugs, and glitches significantly hinder the experience. Players express disappointment over the lack of basic features that could enhance gameplay, such as a combo list and improved performance.
- “Time attack and score-focused challenges emphasize optimization and precision.”
- “It's unfortunate that basic features like a combo list, reduced bugs, enhanced performance, and the ability to complete every task without having to grind are so hard to come by.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players enjoy the grinding aspect of the game, finding satisfaction in performing tricks and achieving high combo scores, such as the 999,999 combo achievement. The combination of skillful gameplay and an engaging soundtrack enhances the experience, allowing for both casual and skilled players to explore their potential in executing impressive trick sequences.
- “I actually spent most of my hours in Wave Break just doing tricks in a corner of the first map, trying to get the 999,999 combo achievement and grinding for money.”
- “Personally, I've never been that great at games like this (back when I rented the original Tony Hawk game, I stuck to grinding), so while I haven't remotely touched the skill ceiling, I know the same potential for giant combos of thirty tricks strung back to back adding up to ten million points exists here in this game as well, just now with the addition of also being able to shoot people.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game has limited replayability, with players expressing that there is little incentive to replay it beyond reliving its unique atmosphere.
- “The game offers a wealth of content and replay value, making each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
- “With multiple endings and diverse character choices, the replayability factor is off the charts!”
- “Every time I play, I discover new strategies and secrets, which keeps me coming back for more.”
- “Because the game lacks replayability, I don't see any reason to replay it again—unless you want to experience the unique vibe once more in the future.”
- “The game offers little incentive to replay, as the story and gameplay remain largely the same with each playthrough.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's not much left to draw you back for a second run.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of "Wave Break" is noted for its creative premise, but it ultimately fails to deliver an enjoyable experience, leading to frustration for players. Many reviewers suggest avoiding the game due to this disconnect between its potential and execution.
- “I can think of very few other games that are as actively frustrating and un-fun as Wave Break was, so I’d really recommend steering clear of this game despite its creative premise and atmosphere.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, reminiscing about the nostalgic feelings evoked by the familiar pro skater formula, which brings back memories and a sense of joy.
- “I hadn't played anything remotely similar to the pro skater formula in such a long time that I felt nearly emotional watching the same rhythms unfold.”