Axiom Verge 2
- August 11, 2022
- Thomas Happ Games LLC
- 12h median play time
A bold and ambitious sequel set in a satisfying, densely connected world.
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Get on PS Store"Axiom Verge 2" is a metroidvania-style game with a strong emphasis on exploration and discovery. As Indra, you'll delve into a mysterious wormhole and uncover the secrets of a rogue corporation's technological experiments. With a range of weapons and abilities at your disposal, you'll face off against hostile creatures and solve environmental puzzles in this sequel to the critically acclaimed original.
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Reviews
- Axiom Verge 2 offers a vast and interconnected world that encourages exploration and discovery, with many secrets to uncover.
- The game features a unique hacking mechanic that allows players to manipulate enemies and environments, adding depth to gameplay.
- The visuals and soundtrack are exceptional, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- Combat is primarily melee-focused, which can feel clunky and less satisfying compared to the ranged combat of the first game.
- Boss fights are mostly optional and lack challenge, making them feel less impactful and memorable.
- The story can be confusing and lacks the depth and coherence of the first game, leaving many questions unanswered.
- story308 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of Axiom Verge 2 is described as intriguing yet confusing, with many players finding it less coherent than its predecessor. While it features rich environmental storytelling and expands on the lore, the plot can feel disjointed and anticlimactic, leaving some players wanting more character development and a clearer narrative arc. Overall, it offers a unique experience that may appeal to fans of the metroidvania genre, but it requires patience and attention to detail to fully appreciate its depth.
“The story is one I wouldn't mind seeing adapted to the silver screen.”
“The lore and story are also some of my favorites in any metroidvania (or even any game to be honest).”
“The environments and enemy designs are fantastic, the platforming is fun and rewarding, and the story expands upon the original whilst adding its own layers of depth.”
“The story is hard to follow and dull.”
“The actual plot and how it connects to the original, I couldn't save.”
“The story is a bit of a mess.”
- gameplay278 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Axiom Verge 2 is characterized by a shift towards exploration and melee combat, diverging from the ranged mechanics of its predecessor. Players appreciate the creative traversal mechanics and the dual-world exploration, though some find the combat less engaging and the overall experience less challenging. While the game introduces new mechanics and a more open world, it has received mixed feedback regarding its pacing and balance, with some players preferring the tighter gameplay of the first installment.
“All the areas are connected in a very organic way, and you unlock some pretty fun and creative traversal mechanics.”
“The unique traversal mechanics and abilities mean you really can't predict what you need for a given barrier.”
“The second world along with the variety of gameplay has made the exploration more challenging.”
“Not as good as the first, so if you only care about the gameplay maybe give it a pass.”
“The gameplay is just better in the first game.”
“I really wanted to like it but this 'sequel' is not even close to Axiom Verge 1 in terms of gameplay.”
- music256 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in Axiom Verge 2 has received mixed reviews, with many praising its lush and organic sound that enhances the game's atmosphere and exploration. While some tracks are considered exceptional and fitting for the varied environments, others are criticized for being less memorable or ill-suited to their contexts. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, though it may not reach the heights of its predecessor for all players.
“The world map feels wonderfully varied, with each area boasting its own distinct mood, music, and atmosphere.”
“The music and art design work together fantastically to communicate an odd feeling that you can't really put into words but permeates both Axiom Verge games.”
“The music is extremely amazing this time around as well and even better than the first game.”
“Additionally, the lack of unique boss music fails to give them the fanfare they deserve.”
“Unfortunately, I must also complain about the music.”
“Great game, a worthy sequel... but I found the music at times insufferable.”
- graphics100 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved pixel art and vibrant environments, particularly in the sequel, which features a brighter art style and more natural aesthetics compared to its predecessor. However, some players feel that the art style is less intriguing and that certain areas lack visual memorability. Overall, while the graphics are considered pretty and diverse, opinions vary on their effectiveness in enhancing the gameplay experience.
“The visuals I really like, especially how varied the breach is and how mind-bending the overworld is.”
“Graphically, av2 has more elaborate sprite art and beautiful animation for the especially large creatures and bosses that roam the world.”
“The graphics are very pretty, and the world feels quite diverse.”
“The teleport animation is about 10 seconds long, so if you're hopping around frequently, get ready to watch the same swirling graphic over and over.”
“A pretty good game, unfortunately not as good as the first in my opinion, at least not the beginning. The beginning is really slow and the first area is kind of boring aesthetically and unmemorable.”
“Finicky unrewarding combat, dull level layouts, and even the graphic tiles and soundtrack felt lackluster.”
- atmosphere30 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its distinct moods and immersive world design, reminiscent of classic titles like "Zelda II." While the music and sound design enhance the experience, some players feel that the sequel lacks the unique, eerie ambiance of its predecessor, offering a more lighthearted adventure instead. Overall, the exploration and varied environments contribute to a captivating atmosphere, though opinions vary on its depth compared to the first game.
“The world map feels wonderfully varied, with each area boasting its own distinct mood, music, and atmosphere.”
“Music and sound design is fantastic, as per usual, and the atmosphere is great.”
“It's such an amazing world to walk around in and just drink the atmosphere in, with so much to learn and piece together about the world you're in.”
“The characters are unremarkable and the atmosphere isn't nearly as exciting as the first game.”
“The characters are less interesting (especially the main character) and the atmosphere is nothing compared to the alien feel of the first one.”
“I was hoping for the same creepy weird atmosphere of Axiom Verge 1, but instead I get a jolly good adventure in the Buddhist mountains with Super Mario on the side.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to be significantly improved compared to its predecessor, with players finding comedic elements in the gameplay, such as the irony of facing the same annoying enemies at the end. Additionally, the suggestion to use text-to-speech for added comedic effect highlights the game's playful approach to humor.
“Make sure you put it to text to speech, for that added humor!”
“It's kind of hilarious that the last enemies you fight [spoiler] are the first enemy... and they are just as annoying [/spoiler].”
“This game is so much better than the first game, it's not even funny.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to have several minor bugs and glitches, including high CPU usage when minimized, issues with character movement, and problems interacting with items. Overall, players find the stability to be lacking.
“I experienced several minor bugs and glitches: from 100% CPU load while the game is minimized to momentarily getting stuck in walls to items that said I could 'take' them, but I couldn't (without any 'nope' sound or anything).”
“The game's a bit buggy.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with combat often feeling more like a chore than an engaging experience. Many users prefer to bypass enemies rather than engage in battles, indicating a lack of enjoyment in the grinding mechanics.
“In the end, combat feels tedious, and in many cases, it is more fun to just run past (or through) the enemies than to fight them.”
“Exploration is excessively tedious.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game has a moderate replayability score of 6/10, indicating that it is generally more accessible and enjoyable than its predecessor, with difficulty spikes that do not deter casual players. This makes it a more favorable recommendation for a wider audience, rather than just those who prefer challenging metroidvanias.
“Replayability – 6/10”
“Overall, the game was a lot more playable in general and wasn't as hard of a recommend as the original, the difficulty spikes in the game didn't make this one a 'don't recommend unless they like hard metroidvania.'”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that emotions play a significant role in how players perceive the game, with many expressing that their judgments are influenced by their emotional responses rather than objective analysis.
