Game: Cosmic Waves
Genre: Arcade
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer | Publisher: Squirrel King | Digerati
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $11.99 | UK £9.99 | EU € 11,79
Release Date: July 28th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Digerati.
Cosmic Waves – A Classic Recharged with Cosmic Flair
There’s something timeless about the brick-breaking genre. The formula of paddle-meets-ball-meets-bricks has been delivering arcade thrills since Breakout, and in all honesty, it still works. Whether it’s Arkanoid or even that old DOS gem DX-Ball, the core appeal hasn’t changed: keep the ball bouncing, smash the blocks, chase that high score. Cosmic Waves arrives with that same spirit, but it doesn’t stop there. It injects some space-faring flair, upgrades, and surprisingly heartfelt storytelling into the mix, and the result is genuinely awesome.
Arcade Simplicity Meets Story-Driven Oddity
Initially, I was sceptical of Cosmic Waves’ story. You’re two heroic wolves flying through space, collecting crystals to heal a sick sister and resist some tyrannical lizard overlord. I expected throwaway filler between levels, and at first, it kind of felt that way. Sometimes there’s a lot of dialogue before missions, and the pacing didn’t exactly scream “quick arcade fix.”
But weirdly, the longer I played, the more the story grew on me. The characters, though simple, are voiced well, and while the art is static (just illustrated panels), it has charm. It starts to feel more like a cheesy old cartoon than just arcade window dressing, and by the end, I found myself kind of invested. If stories aren’t your thing, you can click through and jump into gameplay. But if you’re up for it, there’s more to enjoy than I expected.
More Than Just Breaking Bricks
Mechanically, Cosmic Waves starts off familiar: control the paddle, bounce the ball, break the blocks. But rather than clearing the entire screen, you’re usually tasked with destroying specific bricks and turrets. This goal-focused design keeps each level feeling tight and purposeful. Once you complete your objective, a countdown begins, giving you just a few seconds to grab more points before the stage ends.
The real innovation here is the “Cosmic Wave” mechanic. You can activate special towers using your controller triggers that redirect or enhance your ball’s path. It adds a layer of skill and timing that reminded me a bit of pinball “nudging.” You’re no longer passively watching the ball, you’re steering it, guiding it toward tricky bricks or smashing through colour coded barriers that require a bit of thinking and finesse.
Another great feature is the ability to slow time, helping players (especially newcomers) react and position their paddle when the action heats up. These small touches make the game feel just that bit more modern, without sacrificing its classic feel. More abilities get added through the course of the adventure including the ability to shoot blocks which cleverly changes the game’s camera perspective. There’s plenty to keep you hooked.
Power-Ups, Upgrades, and Arcade Mayhem
Power-ups are colour-coded and a lot of fun to experiment with. Green ones are generally good (think sticky paddles and extra lives), yellow are wildcards (speed boost or multi balls), and red are the troublemakers that’ll shrink your paddle or mess with your momentum.
There’s also an upgrade system that lets you improve your paddle and unlock gadgets. You’ll collect resources during levels and then spend them between missions. It’s a neat system, though slightly unclear at first, especially if you’re playing on Steam Deck. I didn’t realize I had to equip the upgrades after crafting them until a few missions in. Once I figured it out, though, it added nice progression and replay value.
There are also turrets, enemies that fight back, and even boss stages and bonus areas that shake up the usual formula. The deeper you go, the more variety you’ll find.
Cosmic Presentation
Visually, Cosmic Waves nails its vibe. Everything’s clean, colourful, and full of personality. Sure, the level design leans a little too hard on “space station metallic”, and I would’ve liked more variety in the environments themselves, but the overall aesthetic still works. The soundtrack deserves special mention: the music, composed by Shatter’s Module, absolutely rules. It’s energetic, punchy, and drives the action without getting repetitive.
Conclusion: Breaking the Stars
Cosmic Waves is one of those games that surprises you. It starts with a retro heart but adds enough clever mechanics, personality, and polish to stand out. Whether you’re after a nostalgic arcade fix or a game to chill with for an hour or two, this delivers. And if you’re still not sure, there’s a free demo to try first. Cosmic Waves is a great trip into space.
Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot
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