Axiom Verge is a shining example of the Metroidvania genre which carves its own identity while still respecting its roots. However, its comparisons to Metroid may be to its fault as it does not live up fully to its elders
Axiom Verge
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Axiom Verge Review Summary
Critic Reviews for Axiom Verge
A massive, challenging retro-flavoured shooter that takes the Metroid formula and runs with it. Old school, but with a modern edge.
The tightly designed 'Axiom Verge' combines the best elements of the 'Metroidvania' genre with throwback visuals, a thumping soundtrack, and clever mechanics.
Axiom Verge isn't a perfect homage to Metroid, but we still enjoyed our time in this strange, familiar world.
It's just a shame that given the obvious talent and passion involved, it doesn't really have much of its own to add to the Metroidvania template. As charmed and delighted as I often was with its smartly paced escalation, its perpetually teasing construction, I kept waiting for some new element to appear, a eureka moment that either hadn't been thought of in 1986, or that could only be done today. It never quite happens. Axiom Verge seems content to be a homage, rather than a revival or reinvention. That's fine, since there's already plenty to justify your interest, but it feels like Happ has more to contribute than he's showing here.
It draws you in with nostalgia and slaps you with innovation when you think you know what's next
Axiom Verge works moment to moment but feels less successful as a whole
Axiom Verge is an excellent example of inspired game design that takes old ideas and improves upon them, leaving a mark that won't soon be forgotten.
The ways that Axiom Verge resembles Metroid help set up and drive home the ways that Axiom Verge is most definitely not Metroid.
Industry Coverage
Axiom Verge 2 has Been Announced
It has been announced that Axiom Verge 2 will be coming to the Nintendo Switch next year
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