Transmission: Shortwave

About Transmission: Shortwave

Transmission: Shortwave is a 3D driving simulator wrapped in a neon-drenched 1990s UK aesthetic. Developed by Cardboard Sword and released on December 11, 2025, it blends retro futurism with parcel delivery mechanics. You play as a ParcelPal franchisee, navigating pixel-perfect roads in a van, dropping off packages while avoiding obstacles like rogue tractors and malfunctioning traffic lights. The game leans into VR with Meta Quest 3 and Oculus Quest support, letting you physically steer and interact with environments. It’s a chill, humorous take on small business ownership, where success hinges on timing, route optimization, and dodging the occasional sentient mailbox.

Gameplay

Each session starts with a van equipped with a clunky GPS and a cargo hold full of parcels. You drive through procedurally generated 90s-era towns, guided by a grating AI voice that mispronounces street names. Controls use motion-based steering and button presses for gear shifts, making every turn feel tangible. Obstacles include potholes, rogue pedestrians, and parcels that shift in the back if you take corners too fast. Between deliveries, you manage a mini business: restocking supplies, upgrading the van, and dealing with customer complaints via awkward phone calls. The soundtrack is a mix of synthwave and dial-up noises, syncing with your speed. Sessions last 20, 40 minutes, balancing repetition with occasional chaotic surprises.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 4.2/5, with 67% completing the base story. Average playtime is 12 hours, though 32% log over 20. Community moods are split: 78% feel nostalgic for the 90s tech, while 62% call it “surprisingly relaxing.” Reviews highlight the “addictive mix of chaos and routine” and “pixel art that looks like a VHS tape.” However, 28% criticise the GPS as “frustratingly obtuse.” Achievement completion sits at 45%, with 80% of players snagging the “Perfect Delivery” badge. Critics from outlets like PC Gamer praise the “deadpan humor” but note the “limited long-term replay.”

PlayPile's Take

Transmission: Shortwave is a niche hit for VR fans who enjoy low-stakes simulation. At $29.99, it offers 10, 15 hours of quirky fun, with achievements adding light replayability. It shines in short bursts, but the repetitive delivery loops may wear thin for non-sim enthusiasts. If you crave a game that feels like a VHS commercial for a business you never wanted to run, this is your pick. Avoid if you need high-octane action or hate analog-era tech parodies.

Storyline

Are you ready for BUSINESS? You’ve been chosen to undergo our state-of-the-art induction process. By becoming a ParcelPal franchisee, you can become your own boss by performing deliveries exclusively for ME! Percival Parse of ParcelPal PLC (a Pal-Co partnership). Ride the ParcelPal franchisee virtual cyber mega-highway through the most impressive display of 1990s technology in Great Britain. A life-changing experience is about to begin! Deliver your parcels and gain personal financial freedom!