Rivals of Aether II

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,394 reviews

gameplay334 positive mentions

monetization25 negative mentions

Great platform fighter with smooth movement and responsive controls.
Diverse character roster with unique abilities and mechanics, making each match feel fresh.
Active developer support with plans for free DLC characters and regular updates.

Lacks sufficient single-player content and tutorials for new players, making it hard to learn.
Current balance issues with certain characters being overpowered, leading to frustrating matchups.
Online matchmaking can be inconsistent, with players often facing opponents far above or below their skill level.

gameplay
1,025 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The gameplay of "Rivals of Aether II" has been widely praised for its mechanical depth, fluid movement, and unique character designs, making it a standout in the platform fighter genre. Many players appreciate the blend of familiar mechanics from previous titles, such as shields and grabs, with new features that enhance the competitive experience. However, there are significant concerns regarding the lack of tutorials and in-game explanations for mechanics, which can make it challenging for newcomers to fully grasp the gameplay, leading to frustration in online matches. Overall, while the core gameplay is considered top-tier, the game is seen as needing more content and polish to reach its full potential.
- “Dan and the team at Aether Studios have managed to create what I believe is the most mechanically sound and balanced platform fighter ever, coming from someone who has thousands of hours across the Smash series and other platform fighters such as Rivals 1 and NASB2.”
- “Each character is very distinct; even those clearly inspired by common archetypes in the genre (Zetterburn as the 'spacie', Clairen as the 'swordfighter', etc.) have unique mechanics that differentiate their gameplay from their inspirations.”
- “The gameplay feels smooth, with no awkwardness or clunkiness whatsoever!”
- “Terrible game mechanics force extremely campy playstyles and completely punish any type of whiff punish game.”
- “Rivals of Aether 2 lacks a lot of things that the first had, and until some mechanics and content get added/changed, this review will remain a negative one.”
- “The gameplay, from what I've played and seen, focuses more on chipping your opponent down with each opening than landing big punishes, which isn't what I enjoy in a platform fighter.”
graphics
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The graphics of "Rivals of Aether II" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning 3D visuals, smooth animations, and vibrant character designs that enhance gameplay. However, some players express disappointment over the departure from the original pixel art style, feeling that the new aesthetic lacks the charm and clarity of its predecessor. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered a significant improvement, opinions vary on whether they successfully capture the essence of the original game.
- “The character designs themselves are visually stunning, blending the charm of the original pixel art style with modern 3D models that feel fresh yet familiar.”
- “This game's movement is very fluid and the graphics are absolutely stunning.”
- “The graphics are awesome, and the music absolutely slaps as it did in the first one.”
- “For some reason, I just can't entirely get behind this game's visuals.”
- “The graphics are choppy and stuttery at frequent times despite being able to play other much more graphically demanding games on high+ settings with no problems.”
- “My one complaint is I'm not a huge fan of the direction they took the art and graphics style after playing the original Rivals of Aether, which had a 2D pixel art style.”
monetization
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
67%
17%
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating that all future characters will be free and that cosmetics can be earned through gameplay, making the system feel less predatory. However, there are significant concerns about the presence of microtransactions in a $30 game, with some players feeling that the pricing for skins is excessive and the grind for free currency can be frustrating. Overall, while the monetization is seen as more player-friendly compared to other titles, it still faces criticism for its aggressive nature and the perception of being a cash grab.
- “I'm also proud to support the game financially because the developer and publisher are on the same page about treating players with respect; the monetization model is excellent.”
- “With that said, even the monetization model is good in my opinion because every piece of non-cosmetic content (character, stages, new game modes, etc.) will be completely free for the life of the game.”
- “The monetization feels fair; there are cosmetics you can buy with real money, but they promise all characters will be free.”
- “Microtransactions in a $30 USD game?”
- “The monetization is steep.”
- “The endless post purchase monetization is something we've come to expect from the triple A market but seeing it in an indie game is frankly exhausting at this point knowing that we have to pay nearly half of the game itself for an outfit of all things.”
story
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
77%
16%
The game's current lack of a story mode has been a significant point of criticism among users, especially when compared to its predecessor, Rivals 1, which featured a unique story mode for each character. While players appreciate the polished gameplay and anticipate future updates, including a chapter-based story mode and tutorials, many feel that the absence of these features at launch detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the community is hopeful for the promised content to enhance the single-player experience in the future.
- “In addition, I was very interested in the lore of Aether and that of each character, so Rivals 1's story mode scratched some of that itch for me.”
- “I'm hopeful that we'll eventually get a more robust story mode later into the game's lifespan, if only to get to experience more of these characters' stories, which the team has put a lot of love into.”
- “A full-fledged, multi-chapter story mode is planned to start rolling out sometime during or after 2025, with a small-scale yet in-depth single-player training mode path for each character and their individual mechanics.”
- “No story mode unlike the first game, and tutorials are currently not implemented in-game, only text guides linked from in-game.”
- “There isn't a story mode, there isn't abyss mode, and the arcade mode is a glorified time trial.”
- “The only things you have are your basic arcade mode and an endless mode; they don't even have a story mode included at launch.”
music
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
40%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its incredible quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. While some players noted issues with audio balancing and a few tracks feeling less memorable than those in the original game, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, featuring a mix of original compositions and remixes that resonate well with players. Many consider the music to be a significant highlight, contributing to the game's vibrant atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack is amazing.”
- “The music is fantastic and I didn't do the single player content because it's not what I play games like this for, but it being there and seeing online from people who have played it that it is a quality time you have that to do as well.”
- “The music is a particular highlight, each stage has multiple unique tracks that serve not only as great battle music, but also as character themes.”
- “The soundtrack is much weaker than the original.”
- “Music is boring and uninspiring too.”
- “It has small issues like some of the worst music I've ever heard in a game and the most barebones early access looking UI that, while fast, really doesn't give a good impression on players visually and feeling wise.”
character development
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
The character development in this game is widely praised for its unique and visually stunning designs that blend charm with modern aesthetics, offering a diverse range of abilities and playstyles. Reviewers highlight the depth and creativity of the character mechanics, which enhance both casual and competitive gameplay experiences. While most characters are well-received, a few are noted as less appealing or underdeveloped, but overall, the character design is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “The character designs themselves are visually stunning, blending the charm of the original pixel art style with modern 3D models that feel fresh yet familiar.”
- “Character design: 10/10 every character feels very unique and fun from one another.”
- “Finally, a platform fighter with a unique art style and its own vision for character design and world building!”
- “Not to mention Kragg is an abomination of a character and will likely stay that way for the life of the game simply due to how the character is designed; terrible character design.”
- “This game has abandoned everything that gave Rivals of Aether its own identity as a platform fighter, other than the character designs, for the sake of courting Project M and Melee players.”
- “The character designs are very un-intuitive and gimmicky.”
grinding
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
2%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly for unlocking cosmetics and character levels. While some appreciate the ability to earn items through gameplay rather than microtransactions, the sheer amount of grinding required—often cited as taking dozens of hours for minimal rewards—has led to frustration among those who prefer a more casual experience. Overall, the game appeals to dedicated players willing to invest time, but may deter those with limited gaming time or who are less interested in grinding for cosmetic rewards.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The early percent health in platform fighters is very tedious mainly due to one big mechanic: floor hugging.”
- “It should be noted that this $30 game still has microtransactions, and they make sure you spend money because if you want to grind as a non-microtransaction user, it'll take forever. Even though I spent 14-15 hours grinding, I still wasn't anywhere near the coin and aether buck requirements for anything beyond a player icon.”
- “A game where 4+ hours of grinding is required to even experience the 'fun' is not a game worth playing for people with lives and hobbies outside of the fighting game community.”
humor
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying the quirky animal characters and their amusing antics, such as "funny elephant" and "funny frog." Many reviews highlight the game's ability to generate laughter through its playful mechanics and character designs, while some express a desire for more diverse and engaging content. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm, making it a fun experience for players.
- “Dude, those rivals are so funny!”
- “Funny fighting game with cute animals :d”
- “Haha funny lizard shoot goop at people”
stability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
97%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of server issues, frequent crashes, and various bugs affecting gameplay and user interface. Players experience significant problems such as game freezes, matchmaking glitches, and unresponsive menus, leading to a frustrating experience overall. While some users see potential in the game, many agree that it was released in an unfinished and buggy state, requiring substantial improvements to achieve a polished experience.
- “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.”
- “Servers are the worst possible; even with 5 ping, there are so many times where the server just freezes and rollbacks occur, causing a player's hits to be disregarded.”
- “The online experience is a laggy, buggy mess with servers that constantly crash or go down completely, and the game itself runs poorly with constant frame drops, hitching, and input lag on any hardware, even at the lowest settings.”
- “Released in a very buggy state, the game suffers tremendously from poor server management, server glitches, and certain servers are no longer functional, making it difficult to connect across different regions.”
optimization
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
59%
19%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as lag, stuttering, and poor input control, particularly in online modes. Conversely, others report smooth gameplay and a variety of optimization settings that enhance their experience. Overall, while some users enjoy stable performance, many express a strong need for optimization improvements, especially for keyboard play and online interactions.
- “In rivals, I never even opened the options tab; everything runs smoothly from the get-go.”
- “It's smooth, and has a wide scale of optimization settings for graphics and more.”
- “Amd GPU and CPU, playing on keyboard, I haven't run into any bugs or crashes; the game runs smoothly and has been very fun.”
- “Zero optimization for the control's buffering system, not a good game, not fun at all.”
- “I backed this game on Kickstarter only to finally get access to a poorly optimized, transaction-filled dumpster fire.”
- “Constant lag & stuttering in a fighting game is completely ridiculous.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The game offers decent replayability through its ranked and arcade modes, where players can earn ranks and medals based on performance across various difficulties. However, the gameplay can become repetitive, as many encounters involve fighting weak enemies or completing simple tasks, and the lack of diverse game modes or a story mode limits long-term engagement. While character progression and rewards provide some incentive to keep playing, the overall experience may not sustain interest for all players.
- “While it might be tough for a new player to enter and be matched with genre veterans, it is definitely worth it with the endless replayability that comes with this type of game.”
- “There's ranked and a new arcade mode with multiple difficulties where you go through a few levels until you reach a boss at the end, adding some replay value.”
- “There's ranked and a new arcade mode with multiple difficulties where you go through a few levels until you reach a boss at the end. You can get a rank on a difficulty with a character depending on how fast you finished all the levels. While this adds some replay value, it gets boring after a while because it's not very special. Spoilers: it's usually just fighting a lot of weak enemies, a team match, or destroying a few targets. The final boss is just a normal fight, but the enemy has a shield you have to break before you can damage them. Sadly, that's pretty much it; no more extra game modes or story mode, except for another mode I'm going to talk about later.”
- “Perhaps later down the line if they update the game with more playable modes and content, I'll reconsider my review, but for now, I don't think the game is worth it just yet.”
- “Arcade mode has medals for each character based on difficulty and time taken, so there's some replayability for singleplayer.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely negative, with players expressing strong dissatisfaction and a sense of frustration, particularly regarding the online experience. Some users indicate that the game has left them feeling disheartened, to the point of reconsidering their engagement with future entries in the series.
- “Furthermore, a game has never made me feel worse about using the internet.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its effective sound design, engaging background elements, and well-integrated chiptune music, creating a solid and immersive experience. The inclusion of character campaigns and additional modes, like tetherball, further enhances the whimsical yet captivating ambiance that fans appreciated from the first installment.
- “From the sound design to the atmosphere in the backgrounds and the wonderfully blended chiptune in the music, the game is solid.”
- “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 world.”