This free Steam demo is my latest gaming obsession

During a time where vinyls are having a much-deserved revival, Wax Heads managed to capture both the feeling of nostalgia and renewal with the slice-of-life narrative sim tasking players with managing a struggling record store.

There is no better feeling than brewing a mug of something hot, putting on your favourite record and settling back to hear the authentic sounds of a vinyl. This way of listening to music has made a comeback in recent years thanks to artists such as Taylor Swift and the U.K alone has seen its biggest number of records sold since 1990.

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It is that feeling of nostalgia and comfort that indie title Wax Heads manages to capture in its 20-minute demo which is now available on Steam. Despite only just getting into the swing of running the store, browsing its shelves and meeting its diverse bunch of customers, it has already managed to make its mark.

Set in the quaint store known as Repeater Records, you will start your first day of work under the guidance of ex-singer Morgan who, despite not liking cats or dogs, seems pretty cool. With a quick introduction and rundown of the store, you are left to welcome customers and each one will task you with finding their dream record based on minimal clues.

It is up to you to find what the customer needs, whether that’s the hit new album from new singer Mimi or the store’s cheapest record for Tony (Cheapskate), yes that is his title. You will do this by switching through the small yet intimately decorated rooms in the store where vinyls frame the shelves, posters call for unionisation and fictional bands have their merch plastered wherever the eyes can see.

“A new record signifies a gateway to finding new love and connection”, says Morgan and Wax Heads drills this message home with customers such as Billie repping a trans badge and a 13-year old who wants to find the same music as their brother listens to as a way to connect to him.

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Accompanied by a backing soundtrack reminiscent of Life is Strange: True Colours, you will find the desired record and bring it to the checkout. Here you will work amongst the cluttered area filled with coffee-stained mugs, band merch and the photographs of banned customers to ring up the customer’s item, package it into a cute tote bag and print them a receipt.

If you have selected the right record, you will be rewarded with points and although you cannot do much with these in the demo, we can assume the points will help with reviving the shop and bringing it back to life.

In between picking out vinyls, you will be tasked with little side missions such as designing a gig poster for the shop window or even kicking back and relaxing with the in-store arcade machine.

Although the Wax Heads demo was short, it was most definitely sweet, and will definitely be one to check out when it releases some time later this year.

Topics: Steam, Free Games, PC