Rivals of Aether II
- October 23, 2024
- Aether Studios
- 15h median play time
Get on Steam"Rivals of Aether II" is a platform fighting game where every character is free, and future ones will be added for no extra cost. It features easy-to-learn but hard-to-master gameplay, with customizable controls and unique mechanics. The game also offers online play with reliable rollback netcode and post-launch updates that include new characters, modes, and lore.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Incredible gameplay with smooth mechanics and responsive controls, making it a joy to play.
- Unique characters with diverse movesets, each feeling distinct and fun to play.
- Great online experience with rollback netcode, providing a seamless multiplayer experience.
- Lack of tutorials and onboarding resources for new players, making it difficult to learn the game.
- Limited single-player content at launch, with only arcade mode available.
- Microtransactions for cosmetics can feel predatory, especially given the game's price point.
- gameplay291 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Rivals of Aether 2 is generally praised for its fluidity, depth, and accessibility, combining familiar mechanics from both the original game and the Smash series. While many players appreciate the unique character abilities and the high skill ceiling, there are significant criticisms regarding the lack of tutorials and guidance for new players, as well as some mechanics that feel unbalanced or frustrating. Overall, the game is seen as a strong contender in the platform fighter genre, though it may require patience and external resources for those unfamiliar with its systems.
“Extremely fun, competitive gameplay that is easy to pick up, difficult to master.”
“The gameplay feels very smooth, and almost every fighter feels easy to pick up but with plenty of unique combos to master.”
“The gameplay is amazing.”
“Online gameplay is already completely ruined by toxic players spamming camp tactics and cheesing frame rates.”
“The game simply does not teach you any of the core mechanics that make this game different from others.”
“Gameplay-wise, Rivals 2 tones back the gimmicks from Rivals 1 and adds features like shields, grabs, and ledges from the Smash Bros series, making it more like Smash and less its own thing.”
- graphics58 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful models, fluid animations, and charming art style, while others lament the shift from the original pixel art to a more generic 3D aesthetic. Some players appreciate the improved visuals and character designs, noting that the game runs well on various setups, but there are criticisms regarding clarity in visual effects and the overall direction of the art style. Despite these differences in opinion, the consensus highlights that the graphics are generally good, contributing positively to the gameplay experience.
“Graphically, there are a lot of beautiful models, animations, and some cool new innovations.”
“The art style is great, and I can't wait to see returning characters and new ones in the new 3D format.”
“Incredible graphics, soundtrack, gameplay, and community; this game has it all!”
“The art style just feels like it has less direction than the original style did, not to mention it limits the modding capability, which was one of the absolute highlights of the original, with 3D models and animation being a lot harder to create.”
“In addition, the game has numerous bugs, placeholder artwork, and unfinished content that makes it feel like an early access title.”
“The graphics I think could use some polish, but that is far from a real concern to me.”
- story37 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The game currently lacks a story mode and other single-player content, which has led to disappointment among players; however, developers have confirmed that a story mode and additional features are planned for future updates. While the characters and potential narrative could lend themselves well to an anime or movie adaptation, the absence of a fleshed-out story at launch has left many feeling that the game is incomplete. Overall, players are optimistic about the upcoming content but express frustration over the current lack of narrative depth.
“But the characters and storyline would make a good anime or movie.”
“It's like if Melee and Ultimate had an illegitimate child, and that child grew up to become the most beautiful thing to ever exist, thus atoning for their parent's sins in the eyes of the other, uniting them all in the most beautiful enemies-to-lovers story to ever exist.”
“That said, with live updates they do plan on adding a story mode as well as more characters down the line, so I just can't wait to see it all.”
“Despite the intro sequence's inference that there is a story to be had, there is none.”
“At the moment of launch, the game lacks content, a story mode, basically single player stuff.”
“There is no tutorial or story mode at launch, though these are planned.”
- monetization37 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing its predatory practices and the presence of microtransactions in a paid title. While some appreciate that all future characters will be free and that microtransactions are primarily cosmetic, others feel that the pricing for skins and bundles is excessive. Overall, the sentiment reflects a desire for a more balanced and less aggressive monetization model, especially given the game's current lack of content.
“Gameplay is fluid, online is stable and well populated, and monetization is strictly cosmetics based.”
“The microtransactions are cosmetic only and serve to fund the game's development in the future.”
“One of the standout features is that, unlike Rivals 1, all future character releases will be free for everyone, with cosmetic items being the only form of microtransactions—and these cosmetics are beautifully designed.”
“I simply can't recommend this game right now due to its glaring lack of solid content, which won't be fixed for a very long time, and its extremely predatory monetization.”
“On top of this, the game has extremely expensive microtransactions despite being a paid game.”
“Too bad it's a $30 game that launches with its store and advertising a $20 Halloween bundle, as well as 20+ character skins and 3+ each character colors that all cost a minimum of $5, and no modes outside of versus and arcade.”
- music31 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while many players praise the soundtrack as fantastic and enjoyable, noting its ability to enhance the gaming experience, others criticize the lack of music in certain modes, such as the arcade's target test. Some users express a desire for additional features like a music selection option and the inclusion of classic tracks from previous games. Overall, the music is seen as a strong point, but its inconsistent implementation in various game modes detracts from the overall experience.
“Great game, great game design, great music, great characters, great game balance, great netcode/online experience, creators involved in the community, they know what's up.”
“The soundtrack is great, online is solid.”
“The hits feel satisfying, the sound work is incredible, the music is oops all bangers, and all of the characters are so unique and so much fun to play!”
“Music is boring and uninspiring too.”
“The break the targets level doesn't even have music in it yet.”
“Arcade mode is missing music for target test, and online free for all currently suffers from games ending when any player disconnects (even if that player has been eliminated).”
- character development16 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its varied and unique character designs, which feature interesting movesets and polished visuals. Players appreciate the depth and creativity behind the characters, noting that the art style contributes significantly to the overall experience. While some suggest the game could benefit from more single-player content, the community is enthusiastic about the potential for future updates and expansions.
“Finally, a platform fighter with a unique art style and its own vision for character design and world building!”
“Character design is insanely fun, the balancing is great, the community is extremely helpful and excited about the game, the visuals/audio design is extremely satisfying, and the current amount of content is awesome and going to continue to be built upon.”
“While Rivals of Aether 2 would benefit from single player content beyond the current arcade mode, the character designs and stages feel very polished and the controls are responsive--whether you are a veteran platform fighter player or not.”
“Some really unique character designs with a lot of depth to them as well.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and absurd characters, such as a funny bird that can't fly and a beetle that throws rocks, which elicits laughter from players. While some critiques mention the art style and animations as lacking, the comedic elements, including amusing character interactions and unexpected bugs, contribute positively to the overall experience. Players appreciate the lighthearted and whimsical nature of the game's humor, making it a memorable aspect.
“I like the funny beetle; he throws rocks.”
“Funny beetle man throws rocks at a dumb purple bird and other assorted furries.”
“Haha, funny lizard shoots goop at people.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly with online play and specific graphical settings that drastically affect frame rates. While some users report smooth performance and excellent mechanics, others find the game poorly optimized for keyboard controls and older hardware. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary widely depending on individual setups and settings.
“Performance was great once I turned off ultra reflections; that particular default setting cut my FPS down to <10 on my RTX 4090, which has yet to break a sweat on any other game at 3840x2160@144hz.”
“It is a competitive masterpiece with excellent core gameplay and controls, a well-balanced cast of characters with satisfying move sets, and a bunch of online modes with outstanding performance (it feels like I'm playing locally).”
“The visuals are also really nice too and the game is super optimized.”
“Gameplay 10/10 mechanics 10/10 input lag / online performance 1/10”
“There is some performance issue where the game kinda stutters, but it could just be my rig.”
“There are some performance issues I am seeing on my end in the game at times; however, I can't tell if it is the game or just my computer because my build is a bit on the older side.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, often requiring significant time investment for minimal rewards, particularly in unlocking cosmetics. While some appreciate the nostalgic feel of grinding reminiscent of older games, many express frustration over the balance of in-game currency and the need for additional purchases despite the game's initial cost. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a mixed bag, with some enjoying the challenge while others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“And despite this being a $30 game, it still asks you to fork over more money for cosmetics or spend way too long grinding.”
“It is very grindy just to unlock maybe one or two skins.”
- stability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by numerous bugs, including issues with the user interface, online connectivity, and matchmaking, leading to frequent crashes and inconsistent performance. Players have reported problems with private lobbies, post-match stats, and character balance, contributing to a perception of a lack of polish and overall frustration. While some users noted that it runs well on specific platforms like the Steam Deck, the general consensus highlights significant stability concerns that could deter casual players.
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
“The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
“I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which makes for a stable gameplay experience.”
“The game UI is still buggy; you can leave a ranked queue and the game will still put you into a ranked lobby with no indication you're in queue.”
“My only real concern right now is them managing the servers and online connectivity of the game better, because connecting across different regions seems a bit buggy and was crashing my game often.”
“Constant game crashes, buggy UI, and terrible keyboard support for a PC-only game.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a mixed emotional response, highlighting that while the game allows for mastery without engaging in online modes, it also evokes strong negative feelings associated with online interactions.
“Furthermore, a game has never made me feel worse about using the internet.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a blend of silliness and engagement, enriched by individual character campaigns, the unique tetherball mode, and the creative possibilities offered by the workshop feature.
“One of my favorite things from the first Rivals game was the silly but sometimes enthralling atmosphere, something enhanced by the inclusion of a little campaign for each character, tetherball mode, and most importantly - the workshop.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the charm that made the previous game enjoyable.”
“I was hoping for a vibrant and engaging environment, but instead, it feels lifeless and dull.”
“The game fails to create an immersive atmosphere, making it hard to stay engaged with the gameplay.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers replayability through its Arcade mode, where players can earn medals for each character based on difficulty and completion time, encouraging multiple playthroughs in singleplayer.
“Arcade mode has medals for each character based on difficulty and time taken, so there's some replayability for single-player.”
“The game offers multiple endings and branching storylines, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes.”
“With a variety of unlockable characters and challenges, each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
“Arcade mode has medals for each character based on difficulty and time taken, so there's some replayability for singleplayer.”
“Once you complete the main story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
“The lack of varied endings or significant choices makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
