Waves

Waves is an Arcade Twin-Stick Shooter that's all about High Scores. Build your combo and drop bombs in pursuit of Leaderboard dominance over seven game-modes!

Waves is a bullet hell, shoot 'em up and twin stick shooter game developed and published by Squid In A Box Ltd.
Released on November 16th 2011 is available in English only on Windows.

It has received 1,488 reviews of which 1,416 were positive and 72 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. 😍

The game is free to play on Steam.

The Steam community has classified Waves into these genres:

Bullet Hell Shoot 'Em Up Twin Stick Shooter Arcade Shooter Top-Down Bullet Time Cyberpunk Time Manipulation Action Colorful Abstract Score Attack Psychedelic Retro Singleplayer Great Soundtrack Fast-Paced Arena Shooter 2D

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at Waves through various videos and screenshots.

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Requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows

OS *:Windows XP SP2, Vista, 7
Processor:2.0+ GHz or better
Memory:1 GB RAM
Graphics:Shader Model 3 Compatible video card
DirectX®:9.0c
Hard Drive:250 MB HD space

Reviews

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

Dec. 2024

One of the best twin stick shooters, to this day. Can't believe it's free!

Sept. 2024

REVIEW #111 Waves ---------- I'm a sucker for a twin-stick shooter featuring geometric objects brightly outlined in "neon" light, and Waves is a good example of this concept done very well. It has excellent game controls, eye-catching visuals, a sharp-looking and well-implemented UI, good music, and well-balanced arcade-style gameplay. There's 7 game modes that are all fun, and each one has its own local and online leaderboard. I also love the "British millennial" style of humor in the game's text. Best of all, it's free! There are spots that Waves could've used more polish. For example, while the controls are good, button mapping for controllers cannot be adjusted, and some menus are seemingly impossible to navigate with just a controller. Also, music loudness is very uneven and varies per track, suggesting that the issue is probably that overall volume wasn't balanced across each music file in the game's data. I also experienced dropout once with the in-game voiceover. However, these are all fairly minor annoyances rather than actual issues that make the game any less enjoyable. One major thing to note is that Waves is single-player only, which may turn off some people. Personally, I don't mind the lack of multiplayer, as the game's design feels optimized for a solo experience, and I believe that adding multiplayer may not have benefited this title overall. I'll admit that I was slow to warm up to Waves, but I'm really glad that I did. I have a blast with this game every time that I play it, and now that it's a free Steam title, I find no reason to pass this up if you like twin-stick shooters. I enthusiastically recommend picking up Waves. -=-=-=-=-=- R.I.P. - Rob Hale (Developer of Waves) **** Thank you sincerely, Rob, for graciously deciding before your passing to give all of us gamers both of your Waves titles for free. Wherever you are, may you be at peace.

May 2024

Feels more transparent and less physical than geometry wars. Critter behavior isn't as interesting. Filled with IT bro humor but the music makes up for it.

May 2024

"Waves," released in 2011, is an adrenaline-fueled arcade shooter that offers a thrilling and mesmerizing gameplay experience. Developed by Squid in a Box, this indie gem combines intense twin-stick shooting action with mesmerizing visuals and an electrifying soundtrack to create an immersive and addictive arcade experience. At its core, "Waves" is all about survival and high-score chasing. Set in a neon-drenched arena, players control a small ship tasked with destroying waves of geometric enemies that relentlessly swarm from all directions. The controls are tight and responsive, allowing for precise movement and aiming as you weave through the chaos and unleash devastating firepower on your foes. What sets "Waves" apart is its dynamic gameplay and evolving mechanics. As you progress through the game, the intensity ramps up, with enemies becoming faster, more numerous, and more aggressive. To survive, players must master the art of dodging enemy fire, chaining together combos, and strategically deploying power-ups to turn the tide of battle. But "Waves" isn't just about survival; it's also about style and mastery. The game's scoring system rewards players for skillful play, encouraging them to experiment with different strategies and techniques to achieve higher scores and climb the leaderboards. From precision shooting and expert dodging to creative combo-building and efficient power-up usage, every moment feels like a pulse-pounding test of skill and reflexes. Visually, "Waves" is a feast for the eyes, with stunning neon visuals and dazzling particle effects that create a mesmerizing and immersive atmosphere. The game's soundtrack, composed by James Semple, is equally impressive, with pulsating electronic beats and adrenaline-pumping rhythms that drive the action and elevate the intensity to new heights. In addition to its addictive arcade mode, "Waves" also features a variety of challenges and game modes to keep players coming back for more. Whether you're competing for high scores, chasing achievements, or just looking to unwind with some mindless mayhem, there's always something new and exciting to discover in "Waves." In conclusion, "Waves" is a must-play for fans of arcade shooters and high-score chasing. With its intense gameplay, stunning visuals, and electrifying soundtrack, it's an experience that will keep you hooked from the first wave to the last. Dive in, unleash chaos, and see how long you can survive in the neon-drenched arena of "Waves."

Feb. 2024

I regret I didn't write the review earlier, as a fan of this sub-genre. It's very sad how things have turned out, as Waves series valiantly kept abstract twin-stick shooters alive, giving the positive vision after Geometry Wars passed the torch. Hopefully, somebody will make another great GW-clone one day, popularizing this sub-genre again even amidst roguelite twin-sticks like Vampire Survivors (which is great by itself, no less) Rest in peace, Rob Hale.

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Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates

Steam data	19 November 2024 05:19
SteamSpy data	18 December 2024 21:12
Steam price	19 November 2024 05:19
Steam reviews	23 December 2024 01:58

Free to play

9.0

1,416

Online players

Developer

Squid In A Box Ltd

Publisher

Squid In A Box Ltd

Release 16 Nov 2011

Platforms