Captain Wayne: Vacation Desperation is finally out on Steam — and it’s landed with an almighty splash. The hand-drawn boomer shooter has picked up over 200 player reviews in its first 48 hours, earning a rare Overwhelmingly Positive rating straight out of the gate.
I’ve been keeping an eye on this one since the trailer dropped — the mix of retro FPS pacing, cartoon animation, and sheer chaotic energy looked very promising — and it seems players agree.
Developed by Silver Lining Interactive and Ciaran Games LLC, Captain Wayne is a fast, colourful, and unapologetically silly spin on the classic Doom/Duke Nukem 3D formula. It’s out now for £7.49 / €9.75 / $9.99, with a 10% launch discount for a limited time.
Here’s the trailer, in case you missed it:
Captain Wayne’s holiday from hell
Wayne isn’t exactly having a relaxing break. After an ambush on Orca Isle by the mercenary gang known as the Killer Whales, his “vacation” quickly turns into a revenge tour featuring:
- 8 large zones full of enemies, traps, and tropical hazards
- A second campaign with 9 endless rampages
- An absurd arsenal — chain-gun fingers, explosive coconuts, Boom Brew, Ol’ Reliable…
- Fully voiced, hand-drawn cinematics
- A loud, aggressive soundtrack built for old-school shooting
- Vibrant, stylised cartoon gore (the sort you pretend to feel bad about)
Fans are especially taken with the game’s hand-drawn aesthetic, fast-paced gunplay, and chaotic sense of humour, with early reviewers calling it:
- “A phenomenal boomer shooter… this is how you do it.”
- “A must-play for anyone who loves the classics.”
- “The art style is gorgeous, and the gameplay is tight as hell.”
- “An absolute steal at this price.”
- “This goes straight onto my GOTY list.”
(All from Steam reviews.)
It’s out now on Steam
If you missed it, the launch trailer is well worth a look — it sells the tone instantly: loud, fast, and proudly daft.
Captain Wayne: Vacation Desperation is available now on Steam, discounted for launch, and already building a loyal fanbase. If you’re into classic-style shooters with personality, this might be your next 2025 surprise hit — I plan to check it out soon.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
