Wave Race looks simple at first. A small arrow moves through a geometric course, and all you have to do is keep it away from the walls, spikes, cogs, and other hazards. There is no steering from side to side. The only thing under your control is how high the arrow flies.
One Button, Plenty of Trouble
Press Mouse, W, or Spacebar and the arrow rises. Let go and it drops. The trick is finding the right rhythm between the two.
A quick tap may be enough to clear a small obstacle. A longer press sends the arrow higher when the path opens up. Holding the button for too long can be just as bad as reacting too late, especially when the next section has a low ceiling.
Read the Next Section
The course gives you clues about what is coming. A row of spikes usually calls for a controlled rise, while a narrow opening may require you to stay close to the current height.
The further you get, the less time there is to think about each move. Instead of staring at the arrow, keep an eye on the next few obstacles. After a few attempts, certain sections become easier to recognize before reaching them.
Pick Your Challenge
Classic Mode contains 33 levels, with the layouts becoming more demanding as you progress. Checkpoints are useful for difficult sections, letting you spend more time learning a troublesome part instead of repeatedly starting from the beginning.
Endless Mode changes the goal completely. There is no final level to reach, so the distance on the results screen becomes the number to beat.
Race Mode adds other arrows to the course. Getting through the obstacles is only half the job when another racer is trying to reach the finish first.
Game Experience
Most of the fun comes from the retry. A crash can happen in seconds, but the next attempt often goes further because the previous mistake is still fresh. Changing the arrow's skin adds a little customization without distracting from the main challenge.
What You Get
33 Classic levels
Endless distance runs
Competitive Race Mode
Checkpoints
Custom arrow skins
Geometric obstacle courses
Simple rise-and-fall controls
