Game: Monowave
Genre: Action, Adventure, Casual, Indie.
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Studio BBB Inc | Phoenixx Inc
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $TBC | UK £TBC | EU € TBC
Release Date: September 16th, 2026
Review code provided with many thanks to Plan of Attack.
Monowave – Gave me the Feels
Monowave is one of those rather special indie games that manages to combine creative puzzle-platforming with a genuinely warm and touching emotional message. It looks simple at first glance, but there is a surprising amount of clever design underneath its colourful exterior. More importantly, it is a game that actually made me feel something, which isn’t something I can say about every game I play.
About Emotions
You play as Mono, a newborn Guardian spirit whose job is to help restore harmony to a world thrown into chaos after the four Emotions, Anger, Anxiety, Happiness and Sorrow, become scattered across the land.
Each emotion is represented by a different colour and, rather cleverly, each one gives Mono a different ability. Happiness lets you jump higher, Anger lets you wall-jump, Anxiety helps you walk across dangerous terrain, and Sorrow lets you move through water and squeeze through smaller passageways. These aren’t just abilities you collect and then forget about. The emotions are woven directly into the puzzles and the way you explore each level, which makes the whole thing feel much more cohesive.
Puzzles With A Twist
The really clever part is that Mono can also transfer emotions to some of the creatures and characters around him. For example, I came across little lizard-like creatures that behave differently depending on which emotion you give them. Give one Anger, and it starts firing fireballs, which can destroy obstacles and open up a route. Give another Happiness, and it can launch you horizontally across the level.
There are other characters that react in similarly useful ways, meaning you’re constantly thinking about which emotion you need and who might be able to help you. The puzzles aren’t particularly punishing either. Monowave does a very good job of making you think without repeatedly smacking you over the head with the same puzzle until you question your life choices.
Bite-Sized Levels
I really liked the level structure. They’re relatively short and chunky, with lots of them packed into each world, so you’re rarely stuck doing the same thing. There are usually three little emblems to discover in each level. Finding them unlocks some lovely cosmetics for Mono, giving you a little excuse to explore every corner without making them essential for progression. There are also larger puzzle encounters at the end of each area rather than traditional combat-heavy boss fights. The focus throughout is very much on solving problems and understanding the world rather than beating things up.
Colour And Sound
The presentation is another big part of why Monowave works so well. Mono begins as this little white, almost hand-drawn-looking creature, but the different emotions completely change his appearance and personality. Happiness makes him wonderfully bubbly, while Anger, Anxiety and Sorrow are all communicated through his expressions, movements and colour. The music works alongside this beautifully too. Sound isn’t simply background noise here; it helps reinforce the emotional themes running through the game. It all gives Monowave a distinctive identity. What could have been a fairly straightforward puzzle-platformer instead feels like a carefully constructed journey about emotions, empathy and understanding.
Helpful Without Holding Your Hand
I also appreciated the approach to accessibility. The game generally trusts you to figure things out yourself, but if you do get stuck, there is a hint system that doesn’t simply give you the solution. Instead, little visual prompts guide you towards the important part of the puzzle. For example, a little crystal will hover on a butterfly, giving you a mild hint to interact with it, and once you’ve dealt with it, the hint moves you towards the next step if you need it. It’s a clever middle ground. You get help when you need it without the game effectively saying, “Right, here’s exactly what you’re supposed to do.”
A Surprisingly Touching Adventure
There is more to Monowave than simply solving puzzles and reaching the end of each level. Mono’s journey and the characters encountered along the way give the game an emotional quality that I wasn’t really expecting. I found myself feeling genuine empathy for Mono and the other creatures as I watched this little Guardian make his way through the world. Perhaps other players will take something completely different from the story, but for me, some of its themes hit surprisingly hard. That is ultimately what makes Monowave stand out. It’s a lovely puzzle-platformer in its own right, but it also manages to say something about emotions without becoming overly complicated or preachy.
Conclusion: It’s Been Emotional
Monowave is exactly the sort of indie game I don’t want people to let fly under the radar. It’s 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.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
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