Wavetale

Wavetale is a simple adventure with a sweet story, featuring satisfying traversal, although it never steps out of its comfort zone.

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"Wavetale is a single-player platformer game with an interesting plot, ingenious gameplay, outstanding visuals, and stellar soundtrack. Explore the open sea and decaying archipelago of Strandville as Sigrid, who befriends a mysterious shadow that allows her to walk on water. Experience a wholesome story of loss and reconciliation while meeting diverse characters and customizing your appearance."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 351 reviews

story110 positive mentions

optimization4 negative mentions

The game features stunning visuals and a charming art style that enhances the overall experience.
The movement mechanics, especially surfing on water, are fluid and enjoyable, providing a satisfying gameplay experience.
The story, while simple, is heartfelt and touches on themes of environmentalism and personal growth.

The game is quite short, typically taking only 4-5 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
Combat is basic and lacks depth, making it feel like a secondary aspect of the game rather than a core feature.
There are technical issues, including bugs and camera problems, that can detract from the overall experience.

story
350 mentions
31 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a charming and heartfelt narrative that explores themes of environmentalism and family, set in a visually stunning post-apocalyptic world. While the main plot is engaging and features some unexpected twists, many side quests are criticized for being repetitive fetch missions that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its well-written characters and emotional depth, making it a worthwhile experience despite its brevity and occasional pacing issues.
- “The story has some unforeseen twists and turns while the voice acting is superb.”
- “Wavetale's story is exceedingly brief, but it is delivered with such grounded and relatable voice acting that it doesn't feel slight.”
- “The story is caught between cute and sad, and the characters are written so well.”
- “The story is ok, but there's just not much of it.”
- “The story leaves very little to be desired; I only wish I got to explore more of an expanse than what I was offered.”
gameplay
184 mentions
31 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Wavetale is characterized by smooth and enjoyable movement mechanics, particularly the surfing and traversal elements, which many players find engaging and fun. However, the overall experience is marred by repetitive objectives and a lack of depth in combat and mechanics, leading to a sense of monotony over its short runtime. While the game excels in its art style and narrative, the simplicity and predictability of the gameplay may leave some players wanting more variety and challenge.
- “Gameplay-wise, it feels great to ride the waves, grind the slopes, and jump your way to the next target.”
- “The gameplay is extremely easy and smooth, making the water traversal and platforming elements the major highlight of the game.”
- “Wavetale is a polished and enjoyable platformer with mechanics that feel satisfying and reactive.”
- “I like the art style and the water effects, but the gameplay is repetitive and boring.”
- “The platforming never meaningfully develops past what you do in the first leg of the game, the combat is bare bones and basically a space filler, there are some cool platforming set pieces throughout but between them is a lot of samey-looking islands with samey-looking buildings and samey-feeling platforming where you fight the same enemies over and over again.”
- “Despite the asking price of $30, it’s only 4 hours with little to no replay value and the gameplay mechanics don’t stretch well since the game is quite simplistic.”
graphics
124 mentions
52 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are widely praised for their charming, colorful art style and beautiful visuals, often compared to animated series and classic titles like Wind Waker. While many players appreciate the unique aesthetic and fluid movement mechanics, some note limitations in graphical options and occasional glitches. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's relaxing and immersive experience, despite some criticisms regarding simplicity and execution.
- “The art style is absolutely gorgeous and the soundtrack is also quite beautiful.”
- “Beautiful art style! It looks wonderful, the water looks amazing, and the different quirky characters on every little island location have an incredible level of verticality.”
- “The visuals are delightfully colorful and the music elevates the experience even further by evoking a true feeling of wonder and adventure.”
- “Graphics options are non-existent.”
- “I have a 2k monitor and the game looked horrible and blocky in 2k, which ruins one of the pluses of the game, the aesthetic.”
- “It's off-putting and weird, and even with the cartoony art style, this just feels incredibly lazy on the part of whoever did the 3D modeling.”
music
121 mentions
58 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a diverse range of tracks that suit various moods, from calming melodies to energetic beats during combat. Many reviewers highlight the seamless integration of the soundtrack with the game's visuals and narrative, creating a relaxing and immersive environment. While some minor issues with adaptive music were noted, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and emotional depth.
- “A beautiful little gem of a game, telling a tale of loss and reconciliation in a gorgeously animated world, all to the tune of a one-of-a-kind soundtrack.”
- “The visuals are delightfully colorful and the music elevates the experience even further by evoking a true feeling of wonder and adventure.”
- “The music by itself is worth listening to over and over again; I cannot overstate how much I enjoy the music and the atmosphere it creates.”
- “I think the aesthetic and music of Wavetale deserve a lot of praise, but the actual execution of the game and implementation of that aesthetic and music are really lackluster.”
- “There's these robot sea snakes all through the game that are visually great but instead of fighting one of those you fight this weird ball thing in a tiny room, and for me the boss music cut out halfway through the fight so it was just combat noises.”
emotional
31 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its heartwarming and touching narrative, which explores themes of family, grief, and environmental issues. Players appreciate the well-written story, soothing music, and charming visuals, creating a cozy atmosphere that evokes a sense of nostalgia and connection. While some felt the emotional impact could have been deeper, the overall experience is described as relaxing and satisfying, with moments that resonate strongly, even leading to tears for some players.
- “The game presents a heartfelt message wrapped in unique visuals, making it feel like an animated series perfect for older kids.”
- “The game is emotionally moving - it combines grief and joy just perfectly.”
- “Wavetale’s story is that of the wholesome, family-friendly kind, focusing on memories of what once existed, family and reconciliation, but also environmental devastation.”
optimization
18 mentions
17 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
22 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing strong performance and smooth gameplay, while others report frequent lag, stuttering, and bugs that detract from the experience. Many users emphasize the need for patches to address these issues, particularly on platforms like the Steam Deck, where performance can be inconsistent. Despite these concerns, the game is still considered enjoyable by many, thanks in part to its engaging soundtrack and voice acting.
- “Performance is smooth!”
- “Due to this being an open game with a decent amount of buildings, I didn't expect performance to be up to 60 fps.”
- “Otherwise, I didn't encounter any other issues in regards to performance.”
- “Good game, decent story, I liked the mechanics, but for the love of God developers, this game needs a patch or two for optimization, because it is almost unplayable.”
- “Another thing that bothered me is that this game needs more optimization because of frequent lag and bugs; there wasn't so much that it was unplayable by any means, but it annoyed me.”
- “Game is not optimized very well, so expect to use high TDP to hit consistent FPS.”
stability
13 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally acceptable, with players noting that while it runs well and is not overly buggy, it does exhibit a variety of minor glitches and design flaws typical of indie titles. Issues such as visual glitches, quest tracking errors, and occasional animation problems are present, but they do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyable experience. Players appreciate the game's charm and relaxing nature, which helps to offset its stability shortcomings.
- “However it isn't without its flaws. It very much feels like an indie title with bugs, glitches, etc., but the charm and style carry this game.”
- “A lot of small glitches here and there, like already rescued individuals and defeated monsters still showing up on the compass; sometimes events will not trigger, but fortunately the ones I encountered could be solved by reloading a previous save and were not game-breaking.”
- “But it was not without its problems. I had several points in this game where I would run into glitches, like trying to jump onto a platform only to drop right through it, or ending up spinning aggressively in place while climbing a tower.”
atmosphere
13 mentions
54 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its distinct styles across different regions, complemented by hand-drawn art, beautiful vistas, and an adaptive soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of music and sound design, which not only sets the mood but also enriches the gameplay with a heartwarming and immersive ambiance. The combination of visual aesthetics and soothing audio creates a captivating environment that encourages players to savor the game's world and its quiet moments.
- “Different parts of the world have very distinct styles and atmospheres.”
- “The music by itself is worth listening to over and over again; I cannot overstate how much I enjoy the music and the atmosphere it creates.”
- “Rather than a bunch of things happening at once, you’re given snippets and pieces of the world and you can take in the atmosphere and silence after spoken dialogue with the quiet moments the game gives, this is helped by the soothing soundtrack.”
- “Rather than a bunch of things happening at once, you’re given snippets and pieces of the world and you can take in the atmosphere and silence after spoken dialogue with the quiet moments the game gives; this is helped by the soothing soundtrack.”
- “I would unrepentantly call this 'the most Mediterranean game ever made.' Music, atmosphere, mechanics, story - it's all simple, but that's not a bad thing.”
- “The adaptive soundtracks are quite fitting to the game's atmosphere.”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is limited, with many players noting that it can be completed in a short time and lacks incentives for multiple playthroughs. While some aspects, like movement and soundtrack, are enjoyable, the absence of substantial content and objectives diminishes its long-term appeal. Players generally feel that the game is best experienced on sale or as part of a bundle.
- “Pros: movement is super satisfying, the game is short but replayable, the soundtrack is incredible and the vibe of the whole game is super chill, reminds me a lot of Sable.”
- “Replayability varies.”
- “🔲 Infinitely replayable.”
- “There isn't a lot of replayability in the game to warrant the higher cost.”
- “It feels like a whole bunch of wasted areas that could've held more objectives and replay value.”
- “Despite the asking price of $30, it’s only 4 hours with little to no replay value and the gameplay mechanics don’t stretch well since the game is quite simplistic.”
humor
10 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of charming and natural, effectively balancing moments of laughter with more serious themes. While some players found the humor initially enjoyable, others felt it became repetitive over time. Overall, the game features a variety of funny elements, including cute outfits and engaging dialogue, contributing to a heartwarming and entertaining experience.
- “The lead character voiced by McKenzie Atwood is able to balance between humor and tragedy in a way that is both natural and charming.”
- “This game is heartwarming, funny, atmospheric, and above all incredibly fun and smooth to play.”
- “Of course, it has its tonal changes, where I was able to experience more tense moments and other funny ones; and this kept it fresh and very entertaining!”
grinding
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that a significant portion of gameplay consists of unengaging busywork, such as grinding along pipes and completing fetch quests. While some appreciate the writing and voice acting, the overall gameplay depth does not seem to support the game's length, leading to a sense of monotony, especially in the later stages. However, a few players found the achievement grinding to be enjoyable.
- “Unfortunately, I just can't recommend this game; far too much of its runtime is just tedious busywork.”
- “Half of the platforming challenges are just grinding along pipes or latching to pre-defined points, essentially letting the game play itself.”
- “Playing the middle parts of the game, where not much of the story is revealed yet and what you have to do is a collection of uninteresting fetch quests, can get a bit tedious because of the gameplay depth being unable to accommodate the game's length.”
character development
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the charming character design and art style, noting that the voice acting enhances the overall appeal of the characters. However, there is no specific mention of depth or growth in character development.
- “The voice acting adds depth to the characters, and the character design is absolutely adorable.”
- “The character design and art style are very cute, enhancing the overall experience.”