Wax Heads is one of the best games I have played this year. It’s full of cozy stories, amazing music, and wonderful characters. I think anyone who is craving meaningful human connection could learn something from Wax Heads. Now I want to go and watch Empire Records.

Whether you spent your youth hanging around in a record shop or just wish you had, Wax Heads is going to speak to you and your love of music.

I am completely smitten with the world of Wax Heads. It has so much to offer, and it feels like a game that was made for me and my particular tastes. The game delivers on all fronts, especially as an innately human experience, much like music itself. And like a good record, this game elevates your day by spending time with it, getting in touch with its intricacies, and allowing itself to open up to you.

Wax Heads is the new game for those who enjoy cozy life/job simulator games, with heartwarming stories and stunning visuals woven throughout. I can truly see this game becoming a huge part of discussions around cute, stylized, relaxing video games, as well as a big name in the cozy gaming community. Patattie Games is definitely one to watch, and I can’t wait to see what dynamic duo Somerwolff and Tome create next.

Wax Heads represents a unifying beauty and purpose I've never seen in a game before. If it exists elsewhere, please guide me to it; for now, this game deserves its moment. I laughed (a lot), I cried (a bit), I smiled (endlessly). It feels like a game made for me, but not only me.

Wax Heads is more than just record sales behind a counter. It's about human and musical connection with great writing and characters, backed by a very good soundtrack, I'll be playing for months to come!

Wax Heads makes you feel like you are part of this safe, wholesome, creative world of Repeater Records, surrounded by alternative and queer folk who just want to keep rockin’ as long as they can. Finding records for people is fun, but also challenging, so you’ll have to not only scour Repeater’s records, but watch cutscenes, search through your apps, and pay attention to the customer’s vibe. For someone who grew up in 90s indie record stores, longing to hear something that would change my teen life, Wax Heads really cultivates an atmosphere of curiosity, love and respect for musical communities, and how much better music is when it involves human connection.

Wax Heads is an impressive achievement. It delivers a great mix of varied music, great record graphical design, exquisite fictional critical texts, and narrative. The universe built around Repeater Records is a lovely one, filled with cool customers and interesting co-workers. Make sure to unlock and play all the songs that were specifically recorded for the game.

Wax Heads ultimately shares the same central conflict as Empire Records, in which an independent shop is at risk of being bought up by a soulless corporation, but the interactive elements of this game really emphasize just how much there is to lose beyond one’s job. Music conjures powerful, immediate emotions, but it’s the game’s masterful story about how that music brings audiences together that produces all the lingering, magical feels.

Beneath the surface of the record flipping sim lies a poignant story about the modern world. Repeater Records is under threat from corporate interests specifically a generic, soul sucking entertainment conglomerate that wants to replace the shop with something modern and upmarket. The game handles this stick it to the man story with a refreshing lack of sarcasm and more focuses on the regulars and togetherness. The regulars treat the shop like an escapism, teenagers looking to be influenced by music and a regular meeting spot for those with memories tied to the place. You get to learn and understand that the people you work with have seen things change and want to provide something for the community away from the shops and keep human connection fostered through the arts. Wax Heads is a triumph of focused love and labour it offers a musical imprint that stays with you long after the credits roll. Like buying your first album or your favourite this will be something in your collection that will stay with you and shape your enjoyment for the arts.

Wax Heads brings an offbeat art style, a rich soundtrack, and an emotional story behind the simple act of recommending records to unknown people.

Wax Heads is a fun, but short, cozy narrative sim that puts you into the world of physical media via selling vinyls, which is actually seeing a resurgence in the real world. What starts as a charming new job with friendly coworkers turns into the story of how hobbies have to be balanced with real-world obligations and the reality of how corporate practices often hurt small businesses the most, taking away beloved features from towns. It's cute and a bit of a puzzle game, but I wish it lasted longer and gave me more options when speaking to characters, especially to ask follow-up questions regarding record requests.

En resumen, Wax Heads es de esos juegos que pueden parecer pequeños a primera vista, pero que esconden mucho más de lo que dejan ver. No se centra en la acción ni en la velocidad de reacción, sino en observar con atención, interpretar lo que tienes delante y conectar pequeñas pistas para avanzar, lo que le da un enfoque bastante particular dentro del género. Esa forma de plantear la experiencia hace que todo gire alrededor de la atención al detalle y de la lectura de personajes y situaciones, algo que encaja muy bien con su ambientación musical y su narrativa. En un medio que todavía arrastra ciertos prejuicios sobre lo que pueden o no pueden ser los videojuegos, propuestas así ayudan a ampliar un poco más esa idea, demostrando que también hay espacio para experiencias más pausadas, reflexivas y centradas en la interpretación del jugador.

Murray Somerwolff y Rocío Tomé (Patattie Games) lo definen como un  ”punk-cozy slice of life”. Una parte de vida punk acogedora es exactamente lo que muestra Wax Heads. Una buena historia contada a muy buen ritmo y con unos personajes muy interesantes. Los clientes también juegan con una razón de ser para venir a comprar y eso mueve el sistema de juego principal. La atención al detalle de su diseño gráfico y el empezar con pocos discos y puzles simples hace que se entienda perfectamente el bucle jugable y se celebre cada variante nueva y minijuego planteado. Aunque tiene muy buen balance entre juego e historia, tal vez la parte jugable sea demasiado simple en principio pero pronto coge profundidad, pero no complejidad. Al igual que viendo Alta Fidelidad, quiero trabajar en una tienda de discos así.

Wax Heads checks all the boxes with gusto. It takes the simple concept of recommending songs to people and transforms it into a clever puzzle game that not only revolves around knowing a bit about music, but also tests your logic and attention skills. Then, when the gameplay loop starts getting a bit samey, the game stops it for a while, transforms into a visual novel, and captivates you with a surprisingly well-written story until the next chapter starts.

Despite the rise of digital downloads, vinyl records (and other physical media) have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. Wax Heads, a story-driven ...

Wax Heads was a unique experience that definitely lived up to the cozy promise. It may not be difficult, and it may not be my style, but I enjoyed the actual gameplay elements. I believe this one is a see it and you'll know type of game.

If you are looking for an interactive story-based cozy game, this is a rad choice. However, don’t expect much more from Wax Heads than a well-executed moral stand against an increasingly AI-loving, money-grabbing and overly-polished world of entertainment.

Wax Heads is a unique game with a strong focus on music and community.

If you are a fan of narrative games, then I think you will like Wax Heads. There is nothing out of the ordinary here – but the story is engaging, and the art style is fantastic. Unfortunately for me, I did find some of the gameplay tedious, and there is a lot you need to remember and take in to fulfil your role as a star employee. I appreciate the hard work that has gone into making the game, and what the creative team have tried to achieve here, but for me it just didn’t hit all of the right notes.

Como veis, Wax Heads tiene una cantidad increíble de esfuerzo y detalles dentro de él que ya lo hacen merecedor de que le deis un buen tiento. Y si eso no es suficiente también os podría decir que, sin haber salido a la venta, ya se llevó dos premios en la edición de 2024 de los premios SXSW Sydney. Un muy buen comiendo para el dúo Patattie Games y su primer proyecto como desarrolladora indie. Gente así es a la que nunca me cansaré de dar voz porque se nota, no solo el talento que desprenden, sino también el amor y la pasión que le ponen a sus creaciones y a su comunidad.

En su conjunto Wax Heads es un juego llenísimo de mimo y amor que nos plantea unas mecánicas sencillas con una historia y unos personajes muy trabajados, interesantes y complejos. Trae muchísimas referencias a la actualidad y viene a reivindicar y a dar un buen puñetazo en la mesa. Espero que el mensaje os llegue tan bien como a mí y os entren ganas de coger las antorchas. ¿Cuándo quedamos?