A free platform fighter
Icons: Combat Arena is a free platform fighting game developed by Wavedash Games, the team behind the Project M mod. Built as an answer to Super Smash Bros., it focuses on responsive combat and competitive mechanics. Battles play out on floating stages where players aim to knock opponents off the arena using combos and special abilities.
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Its customization features, including skins, emotes, and holograms, gave players some variety, and the fast-paced matches were praised for their sharp controls. However, limited originality in the roster and a shrinking community left the game struggling to maintain long-term interest.
How does Icons: Combat Arena hold up?
Gameplay was the game’s strongest feature. Icons combined tight, competitive controls with a roster of fighters built around familiar archetypes like sword users, grapplers, and agile specialists. This made it easy for fighting fans to jump in, while still offering depth for tournament-style play, advanced combos, and movement techniques that rewarded skill and practice.
Another highlight was the character customization, letting players personalize their fighters with skins, taunts, and holographic effects. For those who valued flair alongside skill, these additions made matches more engaging and visually distinct, while also giving casual players a sense of individuality and expression. The overall design was straightforward and functional, keeping the focus firmly on gameplay rather than cluttered menus or unnecessary systems.
Despite its strengths, the game struggled with similarities to Smash Bros. that made it feel like a clone rather than a true alternative. Combined with a shrinking player base and longer matchmaking times, online battles became increasingly frustrating. Wavedash eventually shut down the servers, though a Legacy Edition preserved offline modes, peer-to-peer play, and all content unlocked for fans who still want to revisit it.
The legacy left behind
Icons: Combat Arena delivered solid mechanics and customization but never truly escaped its reputation as a Smash imitator. For competitive players, the Legacy Edition offers a polished snapshot of its potential, though the lack of active support limits its appeal to diehards and curious newcomers alike.
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