space waves have a minimum control mechanism that is so simple that virtually everyone understands it immediately, yet very few really master it. Players just alter their flight path up or down with the waves, but it is that exact ease that makes even the tiniest misjudgments more deadly than ever. There are no fancy combos to cover up blunders, success is just about being precise all the time. "Control is not only a reflex, it's an art of trajectory control in a very narrow environment as the speed increases." Players have to learn to predict the terrain, evaluate space and make judgments nearly quickly. Press too soon or too forcefully and the whole course is interrupted in a fraction of a second. This is what makes the game more fun after each failure, since players always feel like they can become a bit better. The process of practice slowly converts what seems like chaos into a set of intentional, insanely precise controls. Rarely is a game discovered with a straightforward look. Space waves shows that a minimally intrusive technique may nonetheless produce an extraordinarily intricate system of challenges if built smartly.

Space waves is a stunning feat not just of speed but also of the ability to make each level a continually shifting maze of light that plays havoc with the player's sense of familiarity. Neon tunnels, sharp geometric patterns and continual motion effects provide the sense of hurling through a beautiful but dangerous digital realm. The visual environment of the game is not only beautiful to look at, but also a powerful way of digesting a huge quantity of visual information in a short period of time. There are no levels to become complacent with really, with unexpected curves, ultra-tight places and sudden changes of tempo. This continual fluctuation prevents the space waves from getting dull and monotonous. Each new segment pushes players to shift their approach, to change their rhythm and to adjust to the varied framework. This is what makes the game seem new even after dozens or hundreds of times. The level design is a test of reflexes, but also of the ability to adapt and detect fast. The apparent spaciousness of space waves both an artistic reward and a psychological strain. All in all, the game builds a universe where visual beauty and severe hardship coexist.