MONOWAVE Reviews
Charming 2D puzzle platforming adventure in which Emotions take the spotlight
I absolutely loved my time with MONOWAVE and it's quite a charming and challenging 2D puzzle platformer that'll always make you yellow. đ
MONOWAVE offers a unique mechanical hook. Its traversal-based puzzles are inventive but not overly taxing, and its in-game hint system means that players will not need to consult outside sources if they get stuck. It also has a distinctive and appealing look and sound. However, players looking for a profound meditation on how our abilities to act are constrained by our emotional resources or a balanced coop experience arenât going to find it here.
A tender 2D platforming and puzzle adventure focused on the world of emotions.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
8MONOWAVE is a delightful puzzle platformer full of emotions and animals, which rewards experimentation and (thankfully) has a lovely hint system.
The gameâs mix of platforming and some puzzling around which color moods youâll be using at any given time help make it more unique, but its floatier-than-normal controls hold it back a bit
I didnât hate it. Itâs not actually bad. But no game should be just plain boring. MONOWAVE isnât a bad game thrown together haphazardly with a bunch of bugs, but thereâs just nothing below the surface-level gameplay and the (admittedly very neat) aesthetic. Isnât it a tragedy when you can tell someone was made with care and it still whiffs? I am still fumbling for anything else to say, and I think that just about sums up MONOWAVE. I wish that I liked it, but this is just the most âMeh. Itâs aâight, I guess.â state of mind a game has ever put me in and thereâs just no escaping it. I hope that Studio BBB will put this level of care and polish on something more interesting next time they give it a shot.
A game of varying tempo, Monowave brings you in with novel ideas and adorable characters and keeps you locked onto discovering solutions, finding shinies and creating a âone more stageâ loop that youâre happy to fall into.
Monowave shines brightest when its creativity takes centre stage. Itâs a charming, inventive adventure with a unique emotional twist, striking visuals, and a soundtrack that pulls everything together. Even with a few rough edges in its difficulty spikes and coâop mode, the experience remains memorable and heartfelt. For its low price and imaginative design, Monowave offers a journey that feels well worth experiencing.
As a puzzle game, 'Monowave' actually doesn't do very much wrong. Some levels are a bit tiring, but the game isn't particularly long and is ideal for shorter play sessions. The worlds are very nicely put together, and graphically it is something we haven't seen very often. This is a very successful puzzle game that both fans of the genre and platform fans can enjoy.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Monowave is exactly the sort of indie game I donât want people to let fly under the radar. Itâs creative, colourful, clever and, most importantly, it has heart. The puzzles continually introduce new ideas without becoming needlessly frustrating, while the presentation and soundtrack do a wonderful job of bringing its emotional themes to life. For me, this turned out to be a genuinely touching experience and one I was very glad I had the opportunity to play.
Not only did I have a fun and engrossing six hours with Monowave, but I was surprised by just how thoughtfully it builds the relationship between colour, emotion, behaviour, art, and gameplay. The development team has succeeded in making its emotions feel like more than a gimmick, with its various elements working together to create a cohesive experience. Despite a few minor frustrations, Monowave is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a charming and approachable puzzle platformer.
In todayâs far faster moving market it feels a lot harder to have those moments, and playing through MONOWAVE ended up being genuinely nostalgic for a very different time. While not perfect, it is a beautifully creative debut full of fresh ideas and gorgeous visuals, and it is a fantastic package for any puzzle platformer fan out there.