Summary

Release Year: 2011
Genres: Arcade, Indie, Shooter
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: Squid In A Box
Publishers: Squid In A Box

Waves (2011): A Twin-Stick Shooter Masterpiece

Waves is a twin-stick shooter that can be played by anyone, but with a high enough skill threshold to keep even the most hardened shooter fan entertained. The game was developed by Radiangames and released in 2011 for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

The premise of Waves is simple: clear the arena of enemies while racking up a big fat Combo with swift kills and well timed Bombs. If it all gets a bit too much you can use your Time Buffer to slow down the action and turn defeat into victory.

Waves features seven different game modes, each with its own unique challenges. In Arcade mode, you must survive as long as possible against waves of increasingly difficult enemies. In Score Attack mode, you must rack up the highest score possible within a time limit. In Boss Rush mode, you must defeat a gauntlet of increasingly difficult bosses.

In addition to the single-player modes, Waves also features online multiplayer for up to four players. In online multiplayer, you can team up with friends to take on waves of enemies, or compete against each other in a variety of game modes.

Waves has been praised for its tight controls, beautiful visuals, and addictive gameplay. The game has been compared to classic twin-stick shooters such as Geometry Wars and Robotron: 2084.

Gameplay

Waves is a twin-stick shooter in the purest sense. You control your ship with the left stick and aim your weapons with the right stick. You can shoot in eight directions, and you can also use bombs to clear the screen of enemies.

One of the unique features of Waves is its Time Buffer mechanic. When you activate your Time Buffer, the action slows down, giving you more time to react to enemy attacks. This can be extremely helpful in the later stages of the game, when the enemies become more numerous and aggressive.

Waves features a variety of different enemy types, each with its own unique attack patterns. Some enemies will fire bullets, while others will try to ram you with their ships. You must learn to identify the different enemy types and adapt your strategy accordingly.

Graphics and Sound

Waves features beautiful neon visuals that are reminiscent of classic arcade games. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and urgency.

Replayability

Waves is a highly replayable game. The game’s seven different game modes offer a lot of variety, and the online multiplayer keeps the game fresh. Additionally, the game’s high skill ceiling means that there is always something new to learn and master.

Overall

Waves is a masterpiece of the twin-stick shooter genre. The game’s tight controls, beautiful visuals, and addictive gameplay make it a must-play for fans of arcade action.