Axiom Verge Reviews

Many games attempt to emulate the difficulty and formula of the classic games from the 1990s, such as Metroid, Castlevania, and Ninja Gaiden, but rarely does one pull it off with not only the reminiscent look we remember so well, but also more importantly, the quality that came along with the games of those times. And while most fail to do so, every once in a while, one manages to break through and recapture that same love for classic games. This is absolutely one of those times.

While my time with Axiom Verge 2 started off rough, I only think back on the game with fondness. When I approached the game on its own terms rather than trying to force my own expectations on it, Axiom Verge 2 became a surprising delight. Seeing number in the title, Axiom Verge 2, set me up to expect more of the first game; however, not even Tom Happ, the developer, thinks of the game as a sequel, having described it as a sort of companion piece to the first game, one that can be played before or after it. I think if I had had this context going into the game, I would’ve enjoyed it more from the start. But once I got my expectations in check, I found a game that is beautiful, fun to explore, and that I can absolutely recommend.

Axiom Verge is one of my favorite indie games of the past generation.  It has the feeling of being like Metroid but solidifying its own identity with unique gameplay ideas.   The story kept me interested to a great extent and I am really curious to see what will happen in the sequel.  While some players who are familiar with Metroidvania games will enjoy Axiom Verge, those who are not as familiar with the genre will have a difficult time enjoying the game.

Whereas many modern takes on classic retro genres fall foul of style over substance, this has been built with such skill that it doesn't need to rely on our annoying fondness of the past to impress.

If you don't mind some major backtracking at times going from one end of Sudra to the other, you'll find a great Metroid-inspired game with an interesting storyline, a multitude of weapons to choose from to fit your playstyle, and just an overall fun experience.

Think you're tired of retro Metroidvania games? You obviously haven't played Axiom Verge yet.

A homage to retro classics is one thing but having gameplay that’s both challenging and fun makes Axiom Verge special. If you grew up in that era, you’d be a fool to miss out on this and if you’re new to the genre, I can’t think of a better entry.

No summary available

I’ll just come straight out and say it: I think Axiom Verge is the best Metroidvania-style title since Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. From stage to audio design, everything is so coherent and exquisitely crafted that it’s incredible to think that it was made by one solitary man in his spare time. If I was going to be nit-picky, I could say that it maybe sometimes leaves you without enough direction – but I would really be doing this game a disservice by doing so; exploring this game’s rich environments for goodies and your next point of progression is generally a delight and rarely frustrates. Anyone with a PlayStation 4 and a penchant for 2D action/adventure games should add this to their library pronto.

Axiom Verge is familiar, homely, and far too simple, but those turn out to be its greatest qualities. This homage to 2D adventures is smartly and carefully done.

Even though the story starts to pick up a bit with some interesting plot twists, including one that's clever woven into one of the boss battles, I still found it to be something of a weak point. However, it's easy to skirt around this part of the game by going into the Speedrun mode, a much-appreciated addition that focuses purely on the game itself and cuts out all of the fat.

Even so, Axiom Verge is a faithful throwback in design and approach, but the game's clever mechanics help add flair and originality. The colorful levels, the synth heavy soundtrack, and the varied weaponry create a feel that’s unlike anything seen today, and the boss battles are equal parts challenge and bombast. There are certainly some nitpicks to be hard with the game, but they do little to overshadow Axiom Verge’s core gameplay. When we talk about retro games evolving AND preserving age-old concepts, Axiom Verge is a pitch perfect example.

I thought I was dead,but apparently I'm alive and ready to go

At its apex, Tom Happ's brainchild unequivocally proves just how far video game development has come in such a short space of time and that you can in fact teach an old dog new tricks.

Despite occasional moments of feeling slightly uncomfortable by just how much Axiom Verge feels like Metroid, I still felt compelled to see this journey to the end. The weapons feel great, the character progression is rewarding, and bringing down a massive boss is awesome. While I wish it balanced its lack of mission explanations with its overabundance of exposition, I still really enjoyed my time in its strange, yet familiar world

Axiom Verge is a love letter to another time. While games from that era don't impress in terms of visuals any longer, there's still fun to be found in the exploration and discovery facets of this intricate, well-formed world. Axiom Verge is one of the purest forms of Metroidvania titles that we’ve seen in recent years.

Axiom Verge is a fun, challenging game. While some aspects of the narrative — particularly its protagonist — have rough edges to them, it remains intriguing and mysterious through to its climax. It looks and sounds great, and offers a diversity of weapons rarely seen in games of its type. Easy to get lost in, its sizeable world has a density to match, with hidden rooms and collectibles only available through creative application of acquired abilities. And while the basic gameplay will likely be very familiar, there are a fair few fresh touches which should pleasantly surprise players.

The glitch gun reacts differently to each enemy. In some cases it increases the hit-box of smaller enemies making them easier to destroy, while in other cases it makes larger enemies more agitated with a smaller hit-box. I found poking and prodding the systems a lot of fun, and accidentally found my way into some secret areas by glitching the enemies around me. In addition to the glitch gun, Trace also gets the ability to glitch his way through walls opening up new ways to approach previous areas and allowing access to new zones I had been previously clueless as to how to explore.

A faithful and beautifully crafted Metroidvania homage that never quite stamps its own identity on the genre.