Wavetale similar games & best alternatives

Wavetale

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2022

Should you play it?

Surf the waters of a submerged city! Unravel the past, save the islanders from mysterious sea monsters and discover secrets hidden under the surface.

What works
  • Beautiful art style and oceanic world
  • Fluid and satisfying movement and platforming
  • Emotional and well-acted story
  • Relaxing atmosphere and soundtrack
  • Character customization options
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length with limited content
  • Basic and repetitive combat
  • Linear progression with limited exploration rewards
  • Some technical issues and glitches
  • Overpriced at full price, better on sale

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • LostWinds 2: Winter of the Melodias

  • The Plucky Squire

  • FAR: Lone Sails

  • Putt-Putt® Joins the Parade

  • Castle of Illusion

  • NAIAD

  • Scrap Garden

  • Beasts of Maravilla Island

  • Donut County
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • LostWinds 2: Winter of the Melodias

  • Putt-Putt® Joins the Parade

  • NAIAD
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Jivana
  • Relaxation

    Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians
  • Story

    Days Gone

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

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

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • 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 (hidden on purpose).

Wavetale: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Strategy, Experimenting, Competence, Survival. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Value, Idle.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players have freedom to explore large seamless islands and choose how to approach puzzles and combat, though the story progression is linear."

    Capsule for Little Big Adventure – Twinsen’s Quest Little Big Adventure – Twinsen’s Quest

    "Players have freedom to explore islands, choose when and how to do side quests and challenges, and customize character appearance, though the game is largely linear in progression."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    1

    "Gameplay is easy with minimal challenge, mostly moving and simple combat."

    Capsule for The Mammoth: A Cave Painting The Mammoth: A Cave Painting

    "Gameplay is easy with simple combat and platforming mechanics; some skill in movement and timing is rewarded but overall low challenge."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal pace and relaxation; no leaderboards or competitive modes mentioned."

    Capsule for Bunhouse Bunhouse

    "Focus is on personal pace and exploration; no competitive modes or leaderboards mentioned."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    -2

    "Game is relatively short (around 5-7 hours), with limited replayability beyond collectibles and challenge levels; players tend to finish without habitual long sessions."

    Capsule for Unravel Two Unravel Two

    "Game is short (3-6 hours), some players finished quickly and did not feel strong attachment; some replay for collectibles or free play but overall not highly addictive."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

    Capsule for NieR:Automata™ NieR:Automata™

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can customize character outfits and upgrade skills, but gameplay mostly follows predefined structures and combat patterns."

    Capsule for Ghostwire: Tokyo Ghostwire: Tokyo

    "Customization of character outfits and appearance available; however, gameplay follows predefined paths and mechanics."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; game is single-player and cooperative social dominance is absent."

    Capsule for Anomaly Agent Anomaly Agent

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; game is single-player and cooperative social dominance not applicable."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players enjoy immersive story, beautiful world, and relaxing mechanics as a form of escape."

    Capsule for Jivana Jivana

    "Players enjoy relaxing, immersive oceanic world and story with emotional themes, providing a soothing escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and story; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Megadimension Neptunia VII Megadimension Neptunia VII

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and story; no indication of obligation or pressure to play."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    -1

    "Gameplay is repetitive with limited novelty or exploration of mechanics."

    Capsule for Fruit Postal Service Fruit Postal Service

    "Some exploration and optional challenges, but core mechanics and progression remain consistent without much novelty."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "World map allows some exploration and side quests, though limited by provisions and linear story progression."

    Capsule for The Dwarves The Dwarves

    "Players explore islands and environments with some optional side quests and collectibles, though world is somewhat linear and limited."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Customization options for character outfits allow some self-expression, though limited in scope."

    Capsule for MY LITTLE PONY: A Maretime Bay Adventure MY LITTLE PONY: A Maretime Bay Adventure

    "Character customization options for outfits, hairstyles, and colors allow self-expression, though cutscenes use default appearance."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Set in a post-apocalyptic, mysterious world with roguelike elements and imaginative lore."

    Capsule for Rencounter Rencounter

    "Set in a stylized, post-apocalyptic ocean world with mythical elements like shadows and supernatural abilities."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "Single-player game with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

    Capsule for NieR:Automata™ NieR:Automata™

    "Single-player game with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    1

    "Some learning curve in mastering movement and tactics, but limited progression or skill development."

    Capsule for SHOWTIME 2073 SHOWTIME 2073

    "Some learning curve in mastering movement and platforming; limited skill progression as abilities are unlocked early."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of video games; no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for The Basement Collection The Basement Collection

    "Sedentary gameplay typical of video games; no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention on platforming and exploration; not designed for idle or background play."

    Capsule for Valley Valley

    "Requires active engagement and focus on platforming and exploration; not designed for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Emotional connection to story and characters but no social or close interpersonal interactions."

    Capsule for LOST EMBER LOST EMBER

    "Emotional story and character relationships present but no social or close interpersonal interactions with other players."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

    Capsule for Axiom Verge Axiom Verge

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    1

    "Progression through story and unlocking achievements, but no item or power accumulation."

    Capsule for Ballads at Midnight Ballads at Midnight

    "Progression through story and unlocking cosmetic items; no upgrades or power increases."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    4

    "Game praised for its relaxing atmosphere, flow, and soothing music."

    Capsule for Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians

    "Game praised for relaxing atmosphere, soothing soundtrack, and enjoyable flow of movement."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable visuals, music, and fluid movement provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for The Pathless The Pathless

    "Enjoyable visuals, fluid movement, and music provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems; individual experience without social evaluation."

    Capsule for Exo One: Prologue Exo One: Prologue

    "No social status or recognition systems; individual experience without social evaluation."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative-driven game with strong character development and emotional plotlines."

    Capsule for Days Gone Days Gone

    "Narrative-driven game with emotional story, character development, and environmental themes."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay involves simple, straightforward tasks with little strategic depth or planning."

    Capsule for Kinoko Kinoko

    "Gameplay involves straightforward platforming and combat with minimal strategic depth or planning."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -3

    "Game is low risk and calm; some players find challenge satisfying but not thrilling or suspenseful."

    Capsule for hexceed hexceed

    "Low challenge and risk; game is easy and calming rather than suspenseful or thrilling."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    -2

    "Many players feel the game is short and overpriced at full price, better value on sale."

    Capsule for Nocturnal Nocturnal

    "Game is short and considered overpriced at full price by many players; better value on sale."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -3

    "Combat is minimal and cartoonish; focus is more on platforming and exploration than destruction."

    Capsule for MARSUPILAMI - HOOBADVENTURE MARSUPILAMI - HOOBADVENTURE

    "Combat is minimal and basic; focus is more on exploration and platforming than combat or destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -4

    "No significant survival or threat mechanics; death is minor and forgiving."

    Capsule for LEGO® The Lord of the Rings™ LEGO® The Lord of the Rings™

    "No real threat or failure state; dying is rare and forgiving, no survival mechanics."

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Last update: 01/06/2026