Punk-Rock Indie Gem
A Wax Heads Review
I Waited Two Years…
Two years ago, I covered my very first Steam Next Fest. I was new to YouTube and long-form video content, and I was excited to put a video up. I scrolled through hundreds of games and picked around 30 demos to play. One of them was Wax Heads.
I played the demo and fell in love. About half the demos I played made it to my little list video, including Wax Heads. It was so much work, but today I can say it was worth it.
Earlier this year, Wax Heads finally announced their release date. And before I knew it, I had a key in my hand with a sponsorship deal and I felt like I had come full circle.
Enough back story… let’s talk about the game I waited 2 years to play. Did it live up to my expectations?
Before we get into it, yes, I was sponsored by the team behind Wax Heads for a long-form video on my YouTube channel. But this post is not sponsored. And either way, it doesn’t change how I feel about the game. Spoiler… I love it.
What is Wax Heads
In Wax Heads, you start a new job at Repeater Records, a struggling record store owned by a former rock star. You’ll quickly learn the ropes and be selling records to customers in no time.
At first glance, you might think this is a management sim, but it’s actually more of a narrative puzzle game. We’ll dive more into that later.
I feel like this game combines elements of Tiny Bookshop and Good Pizza, Great Pizza. In Tiny Bookshop, your customers ask for recommendations, and in Wax Heads, you’ll be advising each and every customer on what to buy. But similar to Good Pizza, Great Pizza, your customers aren’t always very clear about what they want. In fact, they will never outright tell you what they are looking for.
And this is where Wax Heads sets itself apart (besides the unique punk-rock vibes), it adds some interesting puzzle elements that you can’t ignore if you want to be a great record salesman.
The Coolest Indie Game Ever
The record store feels cool, retro, funky, but still cozy. And all the music is original, and it’s excellent. I ended up purchasing the soundtrack on Steam, and I’ve been listening to it all week. I read online that the art for the game was inspired by Scott Pilgrim comics, and the final result absolutely adds to the overall vibes of the game. Everything here is working in unison to create the perfect punk-rock cozy world
Gameplay
Each work shift, customers will ask you to help them find a specific record, but they don’t exactly tell you what they want. You need to use the clues around you to find the right album. Clues can be found in all sorts of places, from what customers say to what they are wearing. Clues are also found in the album art, songs, artists, descriptions, and even your phone’s social media app, as well as various magazines.
The good news is there’s no rush here. Customers won’t line up, just take your time, explore the store, and find the record at your own pace. No penalties. Once you find the album you think is right, you can sell it to them, and you’ll find out right away if you got it right.
On top of all that, there are hidden secrets in the storage room, and don’t forget you can take work breaks and play Diggy Doggo on the arcade machine. It’s actually pretty fun, but very tricky.
My Experience
One of my favorite moments was when my coworkers invited me to the local bar to hear their band. While we were there, I got to help pick out everyone’s drinks and listen to the band play. This felt like a continuation of the gameplay mechanics, but in a different setting. It was completely unexpected and added a ton of depth to the game. Because this game isn’t just a shopkeeping simulator. It’s about the lore, the characters, the bands, your coworkers, and your rock-star boss. And it all comes together with nostalgic retro flair, drama, and quirks.
I finished the game in about 8.5 hours, and I really loved the story. By the time I finished the game, I felt like I knew all the ins and outs of the store. I knew everything about all the fake bands, their drama, their history. And I felt like a part of the community. My customers became regulars, and I helped them do more than just find music. My coworkers became friends, and I watched them achieve their dreams.
My Rating
I rate all my games out of 5 stars. This is an easy 5. It lived up to the hype I created in my head and even surpassed my expectations. I’m also a fan of the price, and think for $14.99 it’s well worth it, but I recommend you splurge on the soundtrack after you complete the game.