Axiom Verge 2 Reviews
A bold and ambitious sequel set in a satisfying, densely connected world.
Axiom Verge 2 is a dual-dimensional Metroidvania that's engaging to explore despite its one-dimensional combat and underwhelming boss fights.
A curious sequel whose simplified combat and lack of challenge undermines some of the best level design and puzzles in any recent Metroidvania.
Clever level design and consummate world-building are great fun, even if the pacing and exploration sometimes lead to frustration
Axiom Verge 2 is a daring sequel that shares very few similarities with its predecessor, but it's held back by one-dimensional combat.
But Axiom Verge 2 doesn't let you forget that there's more to Metroid than backtracking. One of the most enduring things about that series is how isolating it can feel. And that's where Axiom Verge 2 finds its most powerful moments. After acquiring the aforementioned drone, I learned there's a second world I can explore called the Breach. It's uninhabitable by humans, but my little robot friend had no issue exploring it. At one point, though, I got stuck in the Breach, cut off from most of my bodily upgrades and vulnerable as a result.
Even when Axiom Verge 2 wasn’t hitting perfectly for me, it feels different and very much its own. Things start out slow, but give it a little time and Axiom Verge 2 really gets going, playing off expectations with clever alterations of the original game’s conventions. It’s dense as ever lore-wise, and it’s got some good music and worlds to move through. It’s a follow-up to Axiom Verge that doesn’t content itself with a simple recitation of the first game’s high points, and if what’s detailed above sounds like your jam, you’ll probably have a good time with it.
Combat feels half-baked and sometimes I really wish the game would have just told me what it wanted me to do next to move the story forward. The narrative going on is intriguing, but also a bit too technobabble at times. Even so, it’s a journey that pushes you into the unknown to overcome a vast tapestry of obstacles and enemies in stark isolation. For that, Axiom Verge 2 continues to nail down the Metroidvania-style in a solid and challenging way.
It saves its best tricks until last, but Axiom Verge 2 is another enthralling Metroidvania from solo dev Thomas Happ, and its clever dimension puzzles are a retro-infused feast for the senses.
A remarkable sequel to one of the best Metroidvania ever made. Despite some minor flaws, Axiom Verge 2 represents a new building block in the fascinating and growing universe crafted by Thomas Happ. Can't wait for the next chapter.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Axiom Verge 2 is a stellar follow-up to one of the original indie Metroid-inspired titles. It is worth checking out even if players haven’t dove into the first game. Also you should totally play both games. They are some of the best in the indie genre. I can’t wait until the game drops on Xbox as well so all platforms have a chance to experience such an amazing experience.
Axiom Verge is a remarkably tough act to follow, but Thomas Happ has done it again in producing a pitch perfect, excellently paced Metroidvania adventure. Axiom Verge 2 perfectly balances familiar elements that made the original great and trying out new ideas that give the sequel its own identity, and while lovers of the first game may take some time to adjust, everything comes together and makes for a potent experience that no fan of the genre will want to miss out on. The mysterious atmosphere, thrilling pace, and fantastic world design all come together to make for a worthy follow up that stands well on its own. Do yourself a favor and pick up Axiom Verge 2 as soon as you can, this is a game that's absolutely worth your time.
Hacking is the other big new feature in Axiom Verge 2, although it finds its roots in the glitch gun of the first game. Indra can hack the game's robotic enemies, reprogramming them with options like "Overclock," "Allegiance," and "Platform." It provides an alternate approach to combat, supplementing the melee weapons. Hacking is also used to unlock doors throughout the world. This has the potential to add to the replayability and speedrunning options, as some doors require a higher Skill Point investment in the Infection stat than others.
Axiom Verge 2 adds some interesting twists to the Metroidvania format and it does get good once the player unlocks the drone, fast travel, and some of the special abilities. If the player is willing to sit through a slow start and some dicey combat encounters, then Axiom Verge 2 becomes a lot of fun to play, with a world that's fascinating to explore and treasures that are waiting to be found in its beautiful and scary alien world.
With his new project Thomas Happ undoubtedly chooses to take the most difficult path, creating a metroidvania that reconnects to Axiom Verge just enough to then proceed in the direction of an essentially different experience, which neglects the quality of the clashes in favor of the journey between dimensions and science fiction scenarios.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Axiom Verge 2 is exactly what a sequel should be in that it's more of the same but different.
After the successful launch of solo-developed game Axiom Verge in 2015, developer Tom Happ has returned with Axiom Verge 2. A sequel mostly in name, the game showcases new settings, characters, and features for players to dive into. Does it reach the same heights as the original, or should we compare them at all?
Axiom Verge 2 continues the expansive story of the Axiom Verge universe, and while it might not do Indra justice, it does deliver on exceptional gameplay and exploration. Fans of the original game, or the genre, will not want to miss this experience.