Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 85 | 70 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 97% | 92 | 287 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 98% | 93 | 179 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.9, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 573 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 10, 2026) · 179 reviews sampled · 163 total reviews in window · weighted 123.8 up / 3.1 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (35)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 50
“But that makes giving an opinion on Wax Heads a bit difficult, because clearly, it had effective messaging overall. It got through to me on some level. I think its approach to retail is really creative. It’s full of likeable characters. It’s just the narrative is trite and idealistic to the point of being saccharine. And that was enough to turn me off it completely. I appreciate Wax Heads, but I don’t see myself playing it again, and I don’t know that I recommend it. It’s time to find a different job.”
read full review ↗ - 93
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“If you're looking for a simple game with an engaging storyline, Wax Heads is the title for you. With its absurd plot and characters, and thanks to its rewarding and consistently entertaining gameplay, it effortlessly draws you into its world. However, the overall experience isn't without its flaws, particularly regarding the writing of certain characters, which could have been executed more convincingly.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Wax Heads is a charming and wonderfully detailed cozy adventure built around the simple joy of recommending records, exploring fictional bands, and uncovering small stories hidden in every LP. Its comic-book visuals, excellent soundtrack, and likable characters make the record shop feel alive, even if the rushed story, lack of voice acting, and some late-game repetition keep it from reaching its full potential.”
read full review ↗ - 79
“If you’re up for a mix of making recommendations to customers and enjoying some colorful characters with their quirks and drama, this could be a good time”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Wax Heads is a small game that knows exactly what it wants to be, and it does so with a craftsmanship that's hard to find in even much larger productions. It's the kind of experience recommended to those who love music as a cultural object, to those who've ever spent an afternoon browsing records in a store knowing they probably wouldn't buy anything but enjoying the ritual anyway, and to those looking for a narrative product that has something to say beyond its gameplay. The fact that it comes from a two-person studio makes it all the more remarkable. It's not for everyone: those looking for mechanical challenge, a sustained pace, or a length that justifies a AAA price tag will be disappointed. But Wax Heads doesn't have these ambitions, and it has the good sense not to fake them. It's an indie debut album: not perfect, not very long, but full of personality, with some songs that stick in your head longer than you expected.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A glance at Wax Heads might make you think it’s about assisting record store customers, but it’s not just some shop management simulation.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Wax Heads is a memorable and emotionally satisfying experience. The pace slows down sometimes, and the game's systems don't always have real-world effects, but the atmosphere, characters, music, and authenticity always make the experience better. Repeater Records feels less like a made-up place and more like a real place you spent time in by the end of the game.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Wax Heads brings an offbeat art style, a rich soundtrack, and an emotional story behind the simple act of recommending records to unknown people.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Wax Heads is a great musical journey all about sticking together, making real art, and that friendship is punk rock. It’s for anyone who likes investigation and constantly looking for something new to listen to, don't skip this sleeper hit!”
read full review ↗
Maximum Utmost
The Punished Backlog
Slant Magazine
STWGames Italia
JsemGamer
Nindie Spotlight
Gamesource Italia
Siliconera
GamesCreed
Checkpoint Gaming
AltChar
GameGrin…and 23 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch #1.0.5Jun 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch #1.02May 7, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Wax Heads Demo: Linux Version OUT NOW!Apr 30, 2024