Screenshot by Bonus Action
Waiting is the worst. As kids, we loathed it so much that we invented entire fantasy worlds just to get through the unbearable drag of reality. You probably had your own version – maybe counting cars, making up stories about strangers, or, if you were like me, imagining you were an elite ninja leaping across rooftops.
But you’re not here for my wildest childhood fantasies. While Waiting is a game that fundamentally understands this struggle and gives us a way to make waiting bearable – even fun. The game takes something everyone can relate to and turns it into a chaotic, comedic, puzzle-filled experience where the whole point is to pass the time.
Key Details
- Developer: Optillusion
- Platform: PC via Steam
- Price: TBD
- Review Code Provided: Yes
Waiting Doesn’t Have to be Painful
The concept is as simple as it is brilliant: you’re in a situation where something big is about to happen, but first, you have to wait.
That something could be your turn in UNO, a baton pass in a relay race, or getting on an amusement park ride. But instead of staring into the abyss, twiddling your thumbs, While Waiting gives you stuff to do.
Sometimes that means embracing patience. Other times, it means going full gremlin mode and seeing just how much havoc you can wreak before your moment arrives.
And trust me, the game rewards mischief.
The Art of Causing Trouble While Waiting
If you’re picking up While Waiting, you’re probably not looking for some deep meditation on patience. (Although, ironically, the game low-key forces you to learn some anyway.)
No, the real fun comes from finding ways to turn waiting into pure, unhinged entertainment.
Take the UNO scenario, for instance. Your so-called “friends” are skipping your turn left and right, but at least you can slap their hands every time they throw a card.
Or, while you’re waiting for your relay race baton, instead of just standing there like a chump, you sneak ahead, steal it early, and cross the finish line yourself. Unfortunately, this doesn’t go unnoticed – you get beat up, medically treated, and demoted to cheerleader status.
My personal favorite is chucking a can into an amusement park carousel just to break it, triggering an achievement titled “If I can’t ride it, no one can.”
These ridiculous little moments are where While Waiting is at its best. It’s got that Untitled Goose Game or Goat Simulator energy – embracing absurdity while giving you just enough structure to make the madness work.
When the Controls Decide You Must Suffer
As I adore the comedic anarchy, I have to address the elephant in the waiting room: the controls.
Aiming with the cursor or joystick is frustratingly imprecise, which means your character often does things you never intended. Maybe you meant to grab an item, but instead, you’re wildly flailing around.
The rules for what you can and can’t interact with are also pretty inconsistent. Generally, colored objects are interactive, while white ones are just there for decoration. Simple enough, right? Except, no. Some colored items are just for aesthetics, which makes no sense and adds to the frustration.
If you’re a completionist, While Waiting is going to drive you insane. The game automatically moves you to the next level when the wait is over, meaning if you want to replay for missed achievements, you have to exit out to the main menu and manually select the level. Not the worst thing ever, but definitely annoying.
The Art and Vibes
Visually, While Waiting nails a cozy, pastel-colored aesthetic that feels both fresh and nostalgic. Each scenario is instantly relatable – waiting in line for an amusement park ride, trying to fall asleep, watching a traffic light take forever to turn green.
But what sets the game apart is how it transforms these mundane moments into surreal challenges.
Take the bedtime scenario. We’ve all struggled to fall asleep. But in While Waiting, that turns into an escalating memory game where flicking the light switch on and off somehow spirals into psychological warfare. It’s weird, it’s hilarious, and it works.
Should You Play While Waiting?
While Waiting isn’t perfect. The controls can be frustrating, and the level replay system could be better. But despite that, it’s a wildly creative, funny, and genuinely relatable game that taps into the universal struggle of waiting.
It’s a reminder that, as kids, we could make even the most mind-numbing moments into something fun. And maybe – just maybe – it’ll help us rediscover a little bit of that magic as adults.
**Bonus Action was provided with a PC code of While Waiting for the purpose of this review**
About the Author
Discover more from Bonus Action
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
