Have you ever wondered what it would be like if tactical role-playinig elements merged with the diversity of deck-building mechanics? Ankama, the French developer behind the popular WAKFU series, is asking that question with their latest project, the Free 2 Play tactical RPG WAVEN. We took a closer look at the game at this year’s Gamescom in Cologne.
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First Impression from Gamescom 2023
Our team was on the road at Gamescom in Cologne this year, and we tried on many games and talked to the developers. One of them was the tactics RPG WAVEN from the French house of Ankama. This upcoming Free 2 Play game comes from the universe of WAKFU and promises to transport players to a colorful, immersive world. The game has already been available in Early Access on Steam since August 16, 2023, and a full release is planned for later this year on PC, Mac, and mobile devices.
Fans of the 2008 WAKFU animated series, which is currently airing on Netflix, should especially take a closer look at WAVEN. Many familiar faces from the series can be found in the colorful game world, and the familiar humor is not missed out here, either.
Dive into a Mythical, Flooded World
The basic premise of WAVEN is as fascinating as it is unique in the WAKFU universe. You find yourself in a flooded world where only a few islands have withstood the rising sea levels. As a seafaring adventurer, you set out to find answers: Where are the gods and dragons that once ruled this world? Why has the magic remained, but the mythical creatures have disappeared? With every island visited, and every battle fought, you’ll get closer to the secrets of the “New World”.
A Versatile Gameplay Experience
You start your journey by choosing your hero and equipping him with powerful spells in the form of cards. The different hero classes offer a suitable choice for every play style. From ranged fighters to mages and strong warriors, you’ll find some options that have different difficulty levels. All classes can be learned quickly and easily, but a few of the classes require more skills to master.
You can choose from the following races and classes:
- Cra – Ranged Archer
- Blunderbust ★☆☆
- Buneblade ★☆☆
- Piven Bow ★☆☆
- Shaden Shiru ★★☆
- Zandiezer Zo ★★☆
- Eniripsa – Support
- Apostruker Scalpel ★☆☆
- Kokoro Brush ★☆☆
- Voracius Blade ★★☆
- Dephasing Gem ★★★
- Tamashi Amber ★★★
- Iop – Melee Warrior
- Bovalor Orok ★☆☆
- Brutal Fairblade ★☆☆
- Flamboyant Kasai ★☆☆
- Spectral Armabladegeddon ★★★
- Stalaktoss Glaive ★★★
- Sram – Melee Assassins
- Amurai Blade ★★☆
- Ken Kartana ★★☆
- Shugen Flayer ★★☆
- Surokan Shiv ★★☆
- Orishi Shears ★★★
- Xelor – Ranged Mages
- Tako Synchronizater ★☆☆
- Jikan Sandiaton ★★☆
- Pikuxala Hand ★★☆
- Gurpapa Regulator ★★★
- Pramium Catalyst★★★
Once you have decided on a class, a small tutorial starts with your first battles. WAVEN combines turn-based combat with deck-building elements. On the one hand, you’ll use the abilities of your hero and your companions; on the other hand, you’ll use different cards to perform magic attacks. After successful battles, not only your character levels up but also your companions and cards can be upgraded in exchange for resources.
After the tutorial, you’ll sail from island to island, encountering bizarre monsters, completing quests, and solving puzzles to improve your character and your strategies. Compete alone or with friends against a large variety of creatures and use all the tricks available to achieve victory.
Crossplay and Cross-Saves
WAVEN lets you continue your adventure wherever you are, whether you prefer to play on PC or mobile. The game supports cross-platform play and cross-savings so that you can play with the same account on PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablet.
When is WAVEN Set in the Timeline, and when can we Expect the Release of WAKFU Season 4?
WAVEN is not just a standalone game, it’s part of a larger universe. It’s set about 20 years after the animated TV series WAKFU, and Ankama is already planning a WAVEN animated series for 2025. WAKFU fans can also look forward to the series’ fourth season, which is scheduled for release in December 2023, if everything continues to go according to plan.
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WAVEN combines elements of RPGs, deck-building games, and tactical strategy in a colorful world full of puzzles and mysteries. If you’re a fan of diverse, profound gaming experiences and also celebrate the TV series, you should keep an eye on WAVEN.
Want to join our community and discuss about WAVEN? Then join our Discord server or visit us on Facebook, we look forward to seeing you!
