Wax Heads is a new indie game that celebrates the joy of physical music media, arriving shortly after Mixtape to offer a charming, cosy experience set in a small-town British record shop. Developed by the two-person team at Patattie Games, the title serves as an ode to the once-ubiquitous pleasure of hunting for records in physical stores, a pastime now largely lost to younger generations but kept alive by a few high street establishments.
Gameplay and Setting
Players take on the role of a new recruit at Repeater Records, a homespun indie record shop. The game is a point-and-click adventure punctuated by various minigames, with heavy dialogue that unfolds like an indie music soap opera. Detective work is required as you cater to customers with misheard artist names or vague instructions, while managing the shop's ever-changing stock that spans mainstream pop, classics, experimental hip-hop, and emerging indie bands.
The shop is owned by Morgan, a mysterious figure who once formed a hugely successful band with her sister in the 1980s, which split acrimoniously. This story arc underpins the game, as the shop faces a threat from Morgan's estranged sister's husband, an AI-evangelist and former band member. Sequences also take place at The Apple Bed, a local music pub where you select drinks for friends, reinforcing the sense of a burgeoning musical community.
Music and Art Style
All bands and music in Wax Heads are fictional. Composer Gina Loughlin created over 20 distinctive, listenable tracks spanning numerous genres, with playing and singing from the development team. The game features about 35 original tracks, and discovering the fictional bands and artists is a highlight. The art style is hand-drawn with chunky outlines influenced by Scott Pilgrim comics, but remains unique and charming.
Story and Characters
The finest aspect is the storyline, which weaves a diverse web of characters—fellow workers with differing musical ambitions, neuroses, and quirks—into a confection that draws you into their world. The game demonstrates how record shops can function as community hubs in a way no algorithm can, potentially inspiring players to seek more fulfilling, analogue musical journeys.
Pros and Cons
Wax Heads looks great with superb original music and a clever, compelling storyline. It has tons of personality and a clear love of music and physical media. However, some puzzles are basic, with no real reward or punishment for mistakes, and the game lacks replayability. It offers about eight hours of gameplay, which is decent for an inexpensive indie title.
Score and Availability
Score: 7/10. Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Price: £11.99. Publisher: Curve Digital. Developer: Patattie Games. Release Date: 5th May 2026. Age Rating: 12.
Anyone with a more-than-passing interest in music will find Wax Heads irresistibly charming, often funny, and gently thought-provoking in a musical landscape increasingly rejecting digitisation. Immersing yourself in its inviting world may lead to a more satisfying journey of musical discovery in real life.
