Waves 2: Notorious

About

Waves 2: Notorious is a single player and multiplayer arcade shooter game. It was developed by SquidInABox and was released on December 16, 2015. It received positive reviews from players.

Engage in fast-paced action packed neon combat as you hack into Corporate Networks, Steal their Secrets and crash their servers. Set in a neon Cyberpunk vision of Cyberspace it's your reflexes against the relentless assault of Bugs, Viruses and AI's in this Twin Stick Shooter.

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 139 reviews

music15 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Waves 2: Notorious features vibrant visuals and an intense atmosphere that enhances the horror-action experience.
The game offers a variety of modes and unlockable content, providing replay value and customization options for players.
Responsive controls and addictive gameplay make it enjoyable, especially for fans of twin-stick shooters.

The game suffers from a slow-paced storyline and repetitive missions that can lead to boredom.
Many players have reported issues with the user interface and controls, particularly for those using a controller.
As an early access title, it feels unfinished with bugs and a lack of content compared to its predecessor, Waves.

music
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
48%
9%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as "awesome" and "killer," contributing significantly to the gameplay experience. However, some players find it repetitive and generic over time, expressing a desire for more variety and memorable tracks. Overall, while the music enhances the game's intensity and enjoyment, there are calls for improvements in track selection and customization options.
- “Awesome music.”
- “Soundtrack is a banger!”
- “The music alone makes this game worth double the value!”
- “I wish that Rob had taken the opportunity to go a different route with the music this time; maybe Deadmau5 could have contributed.”
- “The music fits but just starts to sound generic after a while.”
- “There is one music track - turn the music off in the options for now.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The gameplay is widely praised for its addictive nature, tight controls, and engaging mechanics, building on the strengths of its predecessor while introducing new features like varied enemy designs and loadout options. Players appreciate the frantic pace and adrenaline rush, although some note that the complexity of systems and menus can be overwhelming. Overall, the game offers a satisfying blend of classic arcade action with modern enhancements, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players.
- “Different enemies that each have sound cues and different visual designs, tight controls, addicting gameplay, and a banger soundtrack.”
- “The game is not without its issues... not so much in the gameplay which is phenomenal... but in the complex systems and menus.”
- “It's deeper than your normal 'survive' gameplay, without the commitment of a full campaign.”
- “The core gameplay is basically the same, so whatever is true for the original is true here as well.”
- “Alot of new features yet gameplay is only slightly affected because a lot of alpha restraints are holding this game back.”
- “There were only a few enemy types, a gun, a bomb, slow motion, and a few game mechanics.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the vibrant neon aesthetics and overall visual quality, while others feel that the updates detract from gameplay clarity compared to the original. Many appreciate the graphical improvements and options available, but a few note that the enhanced visuals can make it harder to track action on screen. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a highlight, contributing positively to the experience despite some concerns.
- “The graphical improvements add a lot to the experience.”
- “Really well-done twin-stick shooter with neon graphics and computer aesthetic.”
- “Awesome visuals”
- “While I am aware of the circumstances behind this game's development, I have to say that compared to the original, it's disappointing. The shooting feels stiff, and the graphics make the game look worse than the original. I know some people like it, but I just don't really like it.”
- “Suffers from the same problem as Geometry Wars 2; improved visuals make it a little harder to see what is going on. Otherwise, it's a very high-quality twin-stick shooter.”
- “It's got the visuals of Geometry Wars (because let's face it, that's what we're comparing against).”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and highly optimized graphics, particularly in comparison to its predecessor. However, some users note that the user interface could benefit from further optimization for controller use. Players report that the game runs well even on systems meeting minimum requirements, allowing for an enjoyable experience at high settings.
- “Right now, this game is great as its predecessor 'Waves' with highly optimized graphics, and the grid mode is very challenging.”
- “My system meets its minimum requirements, and the game runs smoothly at epic (I believe it's ultra) settings.”
- “Performance is great, and I can finally enjoy.”
- “Controls are responsive; however, the UI needs a bit more optimization for controller use.”
- “Waves² scratched a big itch I didn't know I had with the original, which was the lack of optimization and strategy.”
- “Right now, this game is great as its predecessor 'Waves,' with highly optimized graphics, but the grid mode is very challenging.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game lacks a traditional story mode, which some players feel is a missed opportunity. However, the introduction of a new grid mode in Waves 2 is seen as a makeshift campaign that adds a semblance of narrative to the gameplay.
- “Waves 2 has a new grid mode which I suppose is the campaign/story mode of this game.”
- “Some sort of story mode would be a nice welcome; sadly, there's none.”
- “Waves 2 has a new grid mode, which I suppose is the campaign/story mode of this game.”
- “It made it seem more like a story.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is notably compromised, as it remains in early access and is described as a "buggy mess," partly due to the untimely passing of one of its creators.
- “I say 'attempted' because one of the creators died before it was complete, so this game is a bit of a buggy mess and still (and forever will be) in early access.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I've encountered numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay, and the stability issues are frustrating.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the sequel may not match the replayability of the original game, it still offers some value for players looking to revisit its content.
- “Not as good as the first game, but it still has some replay value.”