Rivals of Aether
- March 27, 2017
- Aether Studios
- 29h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Rivals of Aether" is an indie platform fighting game set in a world of classical elements. Choose your character and engage in competitive 1v1 or 2v2 matches, or play the story mode to uncover the mysteries of Aether with drop-in local co-op. With additional modes like Abyss and Tether, and intense training tools, this game offers amazing gameplay, fabulous visuals, and great music, but can be very grinding and buggy. "Rivals 2" is coming soon.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Tablet
Xbox
Reviews
- gameplay1,872 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Rivals of Aether" is widely praised for its smooth mechanics, fast-paced action, and depth, making it appealing to both casual and competitive players. Many reviewers highlight the unique character mechanics, such as parrying instead of shielding and the absence of ledge grabs, which contribute to a more aggressive playstyle. The game is often compared to "Super Smash Bros. Melee," with players appreciating its blend of familiar mechanics and innovative features, though some note a steep learning curve for newcomers. Overall, the gameplay is described as engaging, rewarding, and filled with opportunities for self-expression through character mastery and combo creation.
“Each character has very explored mechanics with depth.”
“From Elliana's steam/hover resource management to Orcane puddle mechanics to Sylvanos' zone control, there is a lot to learn with each character.”
“The gameplay is smooth, the movesets are unique, and the mechanics are super well made and fun, and every character feels unique and good to play.”
“The gameplay is clunky and slow.”
“The game takes too long to get good at and just isn't fun because of how confusing the gameplay is at the start.”
“The mechanics are too hard; the game can be boring.”
- story676 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story mode has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it short, simplistic, and lacking depth. While some appreciate the effort put into character lore and the overall premise, others criticize it for being a basic series of fights with minimal narrative connection. Overall, the story mode serves as a fun but underwhelming addition, primarily appealing to those who enjoy the competitive aspects of the game rather than a rich narrative experience.
“Story mode play is dope, you can tell they put time into the lore.”
“The story mode is pretty good, and abyss is even better.”
“The story mode allows you to learn a bit about each character's backstory before you fight in endless abyss mode.”
“The only downside is that the story mode feels a bit lackluster, but that is somewhat expected from these kinds of games.”
“The story mode is so bad that it's better to pretend that it doesn't exist.”
“The story mode is a bit of a challenge and gets boring if you do it all in one playthrough.”
- music565 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, energetic soundtrack that enhances the overall gameplay experience. Composed by flashygoodness, the music is described as memorable and reminiscent of classic 16-bit games, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal. While some players noted a few repetitive tracks, the majority found the soundtrack to be a standout feature, elevating the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
“The neat pixel aesthetic, memorable original soundtrack, and authentic indie charm really tie the game together as a platform fighter worth beating your friends up in.”
“The music is absolutely breathtaking and the competitive scene is welcoming.”
“The soundtrack is fantastic with a track for each stage and then some.”
“While not a big deal, the soundtrack is rather lackluster, which consists of only music and some generic fighting sounds.”
“The stages and the music are boring and repetitive; I played, what, 20 minutes, and no stage other than maybe 2 were visually interesting or had music that wasn't just a 15-second track looped.”
“My only problem with it is that the music is kind of bland.”
- humor505 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is a standout feature, largely driven by its vibrant modding community that creates a plethora of absurd and hilarious characters, such as Ronald McDonald and various meme figures. Players consistently highlight the joy of engaging with these funny mods, which enhance the gameplay experience and lead to chaotic, laughter-filled matches with friends. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to blend solid mechanics with a lighthearted, comedic atmosphere, making it a fun choice for both casual and competitive play.
“I bought this for workshop items and to go 'haha funny meme character' but it truly is an excellently crafted game.”
“This game made me laugh to the point of tears.”
“It's hilarious to see characters like Barack Obama fighting against Donald Trump, and we were in tears laughing the whole way through.”
“This game is beyond dead, and only kept relevant by the people who are already grandmasters at the game, or some poor soul who thought this could be a fun alternative to Smash Brothers while watching their favorite unfunny YouTuber showcase the incredible mod support this game has.”
“Epic, I committed genocide, I beat everyone up. Let's gooooo! I'm unfunny, to be honest.”
“I'm not funny...”
- graphics485 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, which many players find appealing and nostalgic. Reviewers appreciate the clean animations and vibrant visuals that enhance the overall gameplay experience, while the modding community adds further depth and customization options. However, some critiques mention that the pixelated graphics may not appeal to everyone, with a few players expressing a desire for more modern visuals. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's identity as a platform fighter.
“The pixel art style is perfectly fitting in this game.”
“This game is a work of art; it's such a beautiful game with amazing graphics.”
“The graphics are spectacular too, featuring phenomenal pixel art animations, stages, and character art, surely a very pretty sight to set your eyes on.”
“Moreover, the graphics and visual design of Rivals of Aether are downright appalling.”
“The pixelated art style, which was likely intended to evoke nostalgia, feels outdated and cheap.”
“Terrible default key mappings (y = jump?), awful graphics (what is this, 1985?), dlc characters extra, pathetic all around.”
- character development139 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its creativity and uniqueness, with many reviewers highlighting the memorable character designs and distinct play styles that enhance gameplay. While some critiques mention inconsistencies in earlier character designs, the overall sentiment is that the game features some of the best character designs in the platform fighting genre, often surpassing even established titles like Super Smash Bros. The combination of engaging aesthetics, smooth animations, and a well-balanced roster contributes to a rich and enjoyable player experience.
“The character designs are the best I've seen in a platform fighter, definitely even more than Smash.”
“It's got some of the coolest character designs, and they all feel unique and enjoyable to play in their own way.”
“Character design is top-notch, and all the characters feel unique and fun.”
“Only negative is the original character designs are very weak.”
“Very poor and lazy character design, hitboxes don't match animations, characters can't get on stage when their feet are over the ledge, projectile spam is broken or requires extremely high skill to get around, impossible to tell the animation for missed tech/hitstun, hitstun isn't consistent based on your knockback, sword character has terrible range compared to most of the cast and her 'tippers' are in the middle of the sword for half her moves.”
“Good idea in general but some really bad character design and an online experience that is either laggy or filled with players that will destroy you.”
- replayability79 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily driven by its robust Steam Workshop support, which allows for an almost infinite variety of characters, stages, and mods created by the community. Players appreciate the unique mechanics and balanced roster, making both the base game and modded content highly engaging for repeated play. Overall, the combination of fun gameplay and extensive modding options ensures that players can enjoy the game for countless hours.
“The sheer amount of random things you can play as is astounding and makes the game endlessly replayable.”
“Honestly, the addition of the workshop alone makes this game worth $30 as it provides near infinite replayability and fun.”
“All fighters in Rivals of Aether are incredibly unique with their own set of moves and abilities that create entirely unique play styles, and to top it all off, the Steam workshop offers unlimited creativity and replayability with all the characters, stages, and other content from the player base.”
“Terrible game, was ok in the beginning but has 0 replayability, honestly not worth playing for more than 4-5 hours.”
“Bots are too stupid to be worth fighting after a day or two, the single player is short-lived and has no real replay value; the endless mode is novel but not a game unto itself.”
“The solo replayability is tied up for the most part in abyss mode, yet another unconventional but nice take on the 'multi-man' melee modes from Smash Bros.”
- grinding58 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 59 % negative mentions
The game is heavily focused on grinding, requiring players to invest significant time in practice, training, and unlocking content, which can be both rewarding and tedious. While many players appreciate the depth and potential for self-expression through grinding, the extensive time commitment may deter those looking for a more casual experience. Overall, the grind is seen as essential for mastering the game and enjoying its competitive aspects, but it can also lead to frustration for some players.
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“A lot of grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I've spent 100 times more hours grinding abyss mode and doing daily training mode sessions than actually playing online.”
“The unlock system, however, is a pretty big disappointment; the milestone system essentially just comes down to grinding, and I'm genuinely confused about who thought it'd be a good idea to have grinding in a fighting game.”
- stability44 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant lag and frequent bugs, particularly when using the workshop feature or during online play. While some users have noted improvements with recent updates and hotfixes, the overall experience remains marred by freezing issues and unresponsive gameplay, especially on Linux systems. Despite these challenges, a few players have managed to enjoy the game without major glitches, indicating that performance may vary based on individual setups and usage.
“The team is very open and keeps the game fairly balanced and mostly bug-free while listening to the community.”
“There are no glitches or frame-rate issues for me, and I have a low-end PC.”
“It runs great on low-end hardware.”
“Update (2022-05-03): I have downloaded so many workshop characters that the game now freezes and unfreezes at random, and spends most of its time frozen.”
“This game sucked. I got backed in a corner and comboed for 15 minutes while my screen kept on freezing, so next thing I know when it unfreezes I'm dead and I see Ronald's stupid face. I actually hate Ronald McDonald now.”
“It's still a bit buggy, but that's to be expected from an early access release.”
- optimization31 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-optimized, running smoothly even on lower-end hardware, making it accessible to a wide range of players. While the single-player experience and network performance have some issues, particularly with lag and matchmaking, the workshop feature is highly praised for its organization and performance. Players appreciate the game's responsive mechanics and unique character designs, contributing to an enjoyable experience despite some minor quirks related to the game engine.
“Overall, it's greatly optimized.”
“The game runs smoothly with minimal requirements, and with fiber internet and a cable, I can have a good online experience even with low latency.”
“Characters are carefully optimized and constructed for balanced, unique, and riveting gameplay.”
“Some weird quirks due to the uncommon game engine (most annoyingly, Windows not noticing you are playing a game and going to sleep in the middle of your combo), and some performance issues on lower-end hardware (hard to get 60fps on an iGPU).”
“Unfortunately, the network performance is still awful and oftentimes you'll be paired with players that are so laggy you have to play in slow motion.”
“Net play could use optimization in some regards (as at times it will continually match you with the same players who have a bad connection).”
- emotional23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with players reporting moments that made them cry and expressing deep connections to the story and characters. The game's soundtrack and narrative elements enhance these emotional experiences, creating a rich tapestry of feelings that resonate with players. However, some users caution against engaging with the online component, as it can lead to frustration that detracts from the overall emotional impact.
“Remy's friendship with Linguini, a clumsy kitchen assistant voiced by Lou Romano, forms the emotional core of the story.”
“Michael Giacchino's enchanting musical score complements the visuals, elevating the emotional beats and adding an extra layer of sophistication to the film.”
“The story mode literally made me cry.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its cohesive design, with each track and stage contributing to a unique and engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the blend of magical-tech elements and the clash of different societies as intriguing, while the sound and spritework enhance the overall ambiance. The game is particularly recommended for those seeking a competitive environment, as it effectively combines retro vibes with fast-paced action.
“The aether world does show promise; however, its setting, characters, and magical-tech atmosphere is one I find interesting, as different societies of different time periods clash together.”
“Every track fits the stage perfectly and gives the right atmosphere to this fast-paced fighting game.”
“The music is phenomenal, giving each stage a unique atmosphere.”
“I prefer this cohesiveness vs. all the random heroes from 20 different franchises thrown in the same arena, as that implementation really kills the atmosphere for me.”
“This game is designed to have a competitive atmosphere in mind, so if you're looking for goofs and gags, go and play Smash 4 with items on.”
“In short, this is not meant for the casual Smash community, but rather those who love the platform fighting genre and want to be more involved in a competitive atmosphere.”
- monetization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 70 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has received significant criticism, with many players feeling that the in-app purchases for characters are excessive and detract from the overall experience. While the game offers creative content through the Steam Workshop and avoids intrusive ads, the reliance on microtransactions for essential characters has led to perceptions of it being a cash grab, particularly as players face challenges against those who can afford the paid content. Overall, the monetization strategy has left a negative impression, overshadowing the game's initial enjoyment.
“The monetization in this game is frustrating, especially when it feels like you can't compete without spending money on paid characters.”
“While the game is enjoyable initially, the heavy reliance on microtransactions for characters can be off-putting, particularly in a fighting game where balance is crucial.”
“I understand that many games have microtransactions, but the number of paid characters in this game feels excessive and detracts from the overall experience.”
“The dev has also openly stated that this game was a cash grab and since it's dying he no longer plans to spend any time on it at all.”
“You'd expect the characters being so expensive to have some more thought and love put into them, but this all just seems like a pathetic cash grab.”
“This game is fun at first, but until you get online against players with paid characters, it becomes frustrating. I get that games have thousands of microtransactions, but this is a fighting game with four characters, and more than half of the characters are microtransactions. The only character that would be acceptable for a microtransaction would be Ori, since it's from another game, but this is just dumb unless you have the money to waste.”
