Wave-based - Games

Wave-based mechanics in games refer to structured enemy encounters that arrive in successive groups, creating rhythmic tension and strategic pacing. This design forces players to manage resources, adapt tactics, and survive escalating challenges between brief respites. Common in tower defense, survival, and action genres, it symbolizes cyclical conflict, endurance, and the ebb and flow of combat. The wave structure provides clear progression milestones, predictable difficulty curves, and opportunities for skill mastery through repetition, making it a foundational tool for engaging, replayable gameplay loops.