Malwave is a 2D fast-paced wave-based arcade arena shooter where you fight off computer malware inside a neon cyberspace grid.

Premise

You are the system Administrator fighting off an onslaught of digital threats. Survive as long as you can by blasting viruses, avoiding annoying adware, and outsmarting trojans that spawn more viruses on death.

Features

Wave-based progression

Each wave spawns more enemies, increasing the chaos and forcing constant movement

Player combat

Simple twin-stick style shooting with directional aiming and lasers

Enemy types

• Virus: basic chaser
• Trojan: spawns extra viruses on death
• Adware: does not hurt you, but annoyingly stands in way

PowerUps

• Heal (+2 HP; Pink block)
• Max Health Up (+1 max HP and +1 heal; Purple block)
• Shield (2 seconds invincibility; Blue block)

Dynamic tile effects

• Ambient pulses: random tiles briefly light up across the arena
• Wave sweep: a horizontal line of tiles lights up from top to bottom at the start of each wave

Controls

• Movement: WASD / Arrows
• Aim: Mouse
• Shoot: Left Mouse Click
• Pause: Esc

How to Play

Survive waves of malware. Collect powerups to survive. Jam to cool synthwave music.

Credits

Made for GitHub Game Off 2025 game jam.

• Programming/Art/Design: me
• Font: 3270 Font
• SFX and Music (all CC0)
  • 50 CC0 retro / synth SFX
  • Futility Belt
  • Game over short jingle