Waven
Early access since Aug 2023
Forge your own destiny! Choose your character, equip your best spells and sail from island to island in quest of fortune and glory. Level up your hero and your strategy in this free-to-play tactical multiplayer RPG with unique colorful graphics.
79% positive · 5,115 reviews
Not yet
In early access, ongoing live service game
High confidence
Live Service
Not yet
In early access, ongoing live service game
High confidence
Live Service
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
Waven is a free-to-play tactical RPG currently in Early Access on Steam, and the developer Ankama Studio has been very transparent about where the game stands and where it is headed.
In April 2025, Ankama published a detailed public statement acknowledging that the game — while having attracted over one million players since its August 2023 Early Access launch — was struggling with low daily active users (around 7,000), unclear progression, and an unsustainable monetization model. Rather than abandoning the project, they announced a comprehensive overhaul: simplifying the card and deckbuilding systems, reworking hero spells, overhauling the home screen into a central hub, and restructuring the game loop from the ground up. The post explicitly stated, "The game has not been abandoned in the slightest."
This was followed up in August 2025 with a second community update confirming that the redesign work was well underway, detailing specific changes to companions, the card system, the AP reserve mechanic, and hero spells. The post noted that some changes (like the removal of items and skill profiles) were still subject to revision before the game's official 1.0 launch — confirming that a full release has not yet occurred and remains a future goal.
In December 2025, Ankama announced an "Ankama Show Time" event for December 17, 2025, promising an overview of what to expect across all their games — including Waven — for 2026, as part of the studio's 25th anniversary celebrations.
The game continues to operate as a free-to-play live service with a Battle Pass (referenced in patch notes), seasonal competitive content rotations, and ongoing cosmetic DLC packs. All five DLC items listed on the store are released founder/cosmetic packs. The game is still actively being developed toward a 1.0 release, with the developer committed to a significant redesign before that milestone.
Evidence
Community Update #2 confirmed ongoing redesign work is in progress, detailing changes to the card system, companions, hero spells, the AP reserve mechanic, and removal of items/skill profiles. The post noted these changes 'might still change before the game is officially launched,' confirming a 1.0 release has not yet happened.
Ankama published a detailed recap of an Ankama Live broadcast explicitly stating 'The game has not been abandoned in the slightest,' acknowledging low player retention, and announcing a comprehensive redesign covering deckbuilding, progression, monetization, and PvP — all aimed at a future 1.0 launch.
Content
5 of 5 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Ankama Games
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP
About this game
In a flooded world where only a few islands have survived the rising waters, you play a seafaring adventurer searching for answers to this great upheaval. Long ago, gods and dragons ruled the world. Today, magic remains but what of the mythical beings of yesteryear?
At the dawn of a new era, choose your hero, equip your best spells and set sail for an incredible odyssey. Sail from island to island in a vast world full of colorful creatures, gain power, refine your strategy and uncover the secrets of a world adrift.
WAVEN is a new roleplaying game experience that is accessible, fun and immersive. It combines adventure and turn-based strategy, inspired by the best tactical RPGs, with deckbuilding mechanics and valuable items to collect. It can be played for free online on PC, Mac, smartphone and tablet.
Alone or with friends, face off against multitudes of burlesque monsters of increasing difficulty. Master the elements, cast powerful spells, summon mythical companions and battle your enemies in close combat or from a distance to defeat them and win tons of loot!
Gain experience to upgrade your hero and prove your valor by entering the doors of the "Kolossium" to challenge other players and become a legend yourself!
At the dawn of a new era, choose your hero, equip your best spells and set sail for an incredible odyssey. Sail from island to island in a vast world full of colorful creatures, gain power, refine your strategy and uncover the secrets of a world adrift.
WAVEN is a new roleplaying game experience that is accessible, fun and immersive. It combines adventure and turn-based strategy, inspired by the best tactical RPGs, with deckbuilding mechanics and valuable items to collect. It can be played for free online on PC, Mac, smartphone and tablet.
Alone or with friends, face off against multitudes of burlesque monsters of increasing difficulty. Master the elements, cast powerful spells, summon mythical companions and battle your enemies in close combat or from a distance to defeat them and win tons of loot!
Gain experience to upgrade your hero and prove your valor by entering the doors of the "Kolossium" to challenge other players and become a legend yourself!
TACTICAL RPGs REVISITED
WAVEN takes inspiration from the combat and progress systems of the best tactical RPGs while building on the strategic depth of turn-based combat and deck building. The result? An explosive and joyful combo!LIVELY TURN-BASED COMBAT
Prepare your deck before each battle and use every ruse available to you to take home the victory! Play in your own style! Your options are practically unlimited when combining the many character archetypes, spells, equipment and companions available.ALL MODES ARE YOURS
PvE, PvP : take advantage of each game mode to express yourself! Fight monsters to harvest resources and win equipment, and challenge other players to climb to the top of the rankings!PLAY AS A GREAT HERO
Win battles, earn experience, spells and companions, customize your equipment and deck, and take your strategy to new heights.A CROSS-PLATFORM ADVENTURE
Continue your adventure wherever you are! Enjoy WAVEN on PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet with the same account.AN ORIGINAL UNIVERSE WITH A UNIQUE GRAPHIC STYLE
Explore a colorful heroic fantasy world inside a distinctive graphic universe, the "Krosmoz", a persistent world that has existed for years in video games, animated series and much more.Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 21, 2026
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