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Waves 2: Notorious similar games & best alternatives

Waves 2: Notorious

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux • 2015

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Quick resume

Waves 2: Notorious is an arcade twin-stick shooter set in Cyberspace. Build Combos, earn Adrenaline and unleash powerful Burst attacks as you Dive into the Net and do battle against an AI that adapts to your weaknesses!

Global score

93/100

Genres

Action, Early Access, Shooter, Arcade, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Addictive and fast-paced gameplay
    • Deep loadout customization and upgrades
    • High replayability with multiple modes
    • Smooth controls and polished visuals
    • Great soundtrack enhancing experience

    Cons

    • Early access with incomplete features and bugs
    • No multiplayer or cooperative modes currently
    • Steep learning curve and sometimes unfair difficulty
    • Confusing menus and lack of tutorial clarity
    • Limited music variety and repetitive soundtrack

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

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      "Players can customize their mechs, vehicles, and weapons freely, choosing loadouts and playstyles, indicating high control over actions and decisions."

      Capsule for Mech Havoc Mech Havoc

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    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "Game offers skill-based combat, challenging stages, and requires mastery of combos and character abilities; some players note difficulty and learning curve."

      Capsule for Little Fighter 2 Remastered Little Fighter 2 Remastered

      "Game offers escalating difficulty, skill-based combat, and feedback through combos and upgrades, challenging player skill."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      3

      "Includes online leaderboards and score attack modes encouraging comparison with others, but also supports solo play."

      Capsule for ESCHATOS ESCHATOS

      "Includes leaderboards and score attack modes encouraging comparison with others, though also supports casual play."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Many players report addictive gameplay and long play sessions despite bugs and early access state."

      Capsule for The Bloodline The Bloodline

      "Many players report addictive gameplay with repeated short sessions and long-term engagement despite early access status."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -4

      "Game is primarily single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay modes."

      Capsule for Super Fancy Pants Adventure Super Fancy Pants Adventure

      "Game is primarily a single-player twin-stick shooter with no current multiplayer or cooperative modes implemented."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Players can customize loadouts with different weapons and upgrades, experimenting with combinations to suit playstyle."

      Capsule for Valfaris Valfaris

      "Loadout customization and weapon upgrades allow players to experiment with different builds and strategies."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on individual play and cooperative teamwork rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

      Capsule for Dogfight 1942 Dogfight 1942

      "Focus is on personal skill and survival rather than exerting control or superiority over other players."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the intense, chaotic gameplay and music as a form of stress relief and distraction from real life."

      Capsule for UBERMOSH Vol.5 UBERMOSH Vol.5

      "Players use the fast-paced, intense gameplay and music as a form of stress relief and distraction from real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not due to obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for Dungeon Defenders II Dungeon Defenders II

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not due to obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Varied upgrades and playstyles encourage trying new tactics and builds."

      Capsule for Ultratron Ultratron

      "The upgrade system and loadout customization encourage trying new combinations and adapting playstyle."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      1

      "Some exploration of different arenas and rooms occurs, but environments are somewhat repetitive and limited."

      Capsule for Clone Drone in the Hyperdome Clone Drone in the Hyperdome

      "Some exploration of different arenas and modes exists, but environments are mostly abstract and limited."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Customization of ships and crew allows some self-expression, though mostly functional rather than cosmetic."

      Capsule for Between the Stars Between the Stars

      "Customization of ship loadouts allows some degree of self-expression through gameplay style, though no cosmetic options noted."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      -2

      "Game is a stylized arcade brick breaker with minimal fantasy elements, focusing on abstract gameplay."

      Capsule for DX-Ball 2: 20th Anniversary Edition DX-Ball 2: 20th Anniversary Edition

      "Game is abstract and arcade-style with minimal narrative or fictional roleplaying elements, focusing on realistic arcade action."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -4

      "Strongly single-player focused with minimal social or community interaction."

      Capsule for Songs of Syx Songs of Syx

      "Strongly single-player focused with minimal social or community interaction reported."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players develop skills, unlock abilities, and upgrade equipment, showing clear progression and learning."

      Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters

      "Players develop skills and unlock upgrades over time, showing clear learning and progression."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

      Capsule for 9th Dawn III 9th Dawn III

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during fast-paced gameplay; not suitable for passive or background play."

      Capsule for Ex-Zodiac Ex-Zodiac

      "Requires focused attention during fast-paced gameplay, not suited for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of close social or emotional relationships forming within the game."

      Capsule for Buriedbornes - Dungeon RPG Buriedbornes - Dungeon RPG

      "No evidence of close social or emotional relationships formed through the game."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -4

      "No multiplayer or group leadership roles; players act independently without guiding others."

      Capsule for Drunken Robot Pornography Drunken Robot Pornography

      "No multiplayer or group management features; players act independently."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Clear progression through leveling, unlocking weapons, abilities, and cosmetic items."

      Capsule for Livelock Livelock

      "Clear progression through unlocking weapons, upgrades, and completing challenges."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Some players find the gameplay cathartic and enjoyable, though it can be intense and challenging."

      Capsule for The Bug Butcher The Bug Butcher

      "Some players find the game cathartic and enjoyable, though it is also described as intense and challenging."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      4

      "Fast-paced visuals, music, and sound effects provide strong sensory stimulation and excitement."

      Capsule for AaAaAA!!! - A Reckless Disregard for Gravity AaAaAA!!! - A Reckless Disregard for Gravity

      "Strong visual effects, music, and fast-paced action provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      2

      "Leaderboards and rankings offer some recognition, but limited multiplayer reduces social status dynamics."

      Capsule for Zenith Trace Zenith Trace

      "Leaderboards and score rankings offer some social recognition, but limited multiplayer reduces social status impact."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      -4

      "Minimal narrative or plot; gameplay focuses on arcade-style score chasing and challenges without story immersion."

      Capsule for Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe

      "Minimal narrative or plot; gameplay is focused on arcade-style score attack without story immersion."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Loadout customization and track knowledge require planning and tactical decision-making."

      Capsule for Pacer Pacer

      "Loadout customization and enemy patterns require planning and tactical decision-making."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      4

      "Fast-paced gameplay with time pressure and escalating difficulty creates suspense and excitement."

      Capsule for The Chef's Shift The Chef's Shift

      "Fast-paced, intense gameplay with escalating difficulty creates suspense and adrenaline rush."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players report high enjoyment and replayability for a low price, indicating good value."

      Capsule for Reigns: Her Majesty Reigns: Her Majesty

      "Players report high enjoyment and replayability for a low or free price, indicating good value."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      4

      "Core gameplay involves shooting and destroying enemies in a fast-paced arcade style."

      Capsule for Savant - Ascent Savant - Ascent

      "Core gameplay involves shooting and destroying enemies in a chaotic arcade style."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      4

      "Gameplay centers on avoiding death, managing stamina and health, and overcoming waves of enemies."

      Capsule for Slash or Die Slash or Die

      "Gameplay centers on avoiding death and managing health/shields against waves of enemies."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fellowship, Fantasy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026