Axiom Verge Reviews
All in all, Axiom Verge has its moments. Exploration is fun to an extent, and the cavalcade of powerups and weaponry to acquire allows for an ever evolving way to interact with the environment and its hostiles.
Axiom Verge plays so closely to the original Metroid game that I'm wondering if it was meant to be a tribute or an imitation.
Axiom Verge delivers one of the better experiences in the oversaturated Metroidvania genre, but if you've played a NES/SNES Metroid title, then you've played Axiom Verge. The game's plenty fun, but it fails to carve out a distinct
Axiom Verge is just the kind of retro-fitted kick in the pants that PlayStation 4 owners needed. While the story and map could've used a little ironing over, the game delivers excitement aplenty, especially with some of the bigger bosses. The diversity of weapons and tools you'll run across will keep you busy as well. Kudos to Tom Happ (with some help from Dan Adelman) for bringing us back some retro goodness for our new system. Now, sequel please. (Or at the very least, that PS Vita port we were promised…)
Axiom Verge is a game that will certainly please fans of the Metroid franchise. The entire experience is an homage to the classic video game that often does the right thing. While there are so many instances of greatness found throughout the 6-7 hour campaign, problems dealing with some of the core features of the genre hinder the overall experience. Backtracking is frustrating, the bosses are simplistic, constantly respawning enemies make for some tedious sections, and the narrative isn't engaging at all. Axiom Verge is sprinkled with fantastic ideas and concepts, but doesn't fully capture the greatness that its capable of.
Despite superficial similarities to classic Nintendo games like Super Metroid, Axiom Verge isn't afraid to bring a lot of new ideas to the table, and is all the better for it.
Tom Happ's Axiom Verge keeps the best of the past and improves on every facet, crafting a game about singularity, identity and pure pixellated fun. This is concentrated, unfiltered, Super-Nintendo-excellence given the modern treatment, and a landmark indie title.
Without a doubt, Axiom Verge is one of the most complete games I have played in a long time. Not only was it created entirely by Tom Happ, but the passion he has for the game clearly has shined through the final product. Surprisingly the game has an intriguing narrative, complete with plenty of hidden notes and messages; some will even require translating. The game even contains a Speedrun option on the main menu, eliminating the dialogue and cutscenes, and standardizing some of the randomized elements in the game. Tom has even added a checkpoint hud, allowing you to keep track of your pace through each boss. I may have only found 66% of the items, and uncovered 87% of the map, but that hasn't stopped me from instantly hopping back into the game for a second run. As far as "Metroidvania" games go, Axiom Verge sits at the top of my personal favorite list.
Finally arriving on the Wii U, Axiom Verge still packs a mighty punch long after its initial release.
Nostalgia is similarly addictive, but Verge's confidence sees it through the challenge of invoking Metroid better than just about anyone who's tried before it. It copies more than aesthetic and ambiguous notions about variety, and the specificity is what matters. It's not a perfect match, and the absence of a powerful lead leaves an indelible mark on the experience.
It's as much a living homage as it is a natural successor to Nintendo's 2D Metroid games.
A game that's mechanically similar to the Metroid of old, yet still manages to have its own identity with some truly awesome concepts. It's gorgeous, challenging and a delight to play.
When you take into account that the whole game - art, story, music, design, programming, everything - is the work of a single person, problems like these become a bit more forgivable, though. You can't be a master of everything, and Tom Happ has cleared mastered the exploration element, level design, and sense of progression - the most fundamental parts of a Metroidvania game.
an accomplishment, but it often feels too safe
As it stands Axiom Verge is highly recommended, it is a game that knows its source material, has the ability to authentically replicate its inspiration but interesting enough to add its own spin. If you want to relive the days of staying up late, making notes on maps and feeling like you are reconnecting with gaming of your childhood then Axiom Verge will not disappoint.
This game may lean far more heavily on the Metroid homage than most, but it still manages to perfectly capture the tried-and-true gameplay elements of Nintendo's classic while also incorporating several new ideas to let it stand out on its own, turning an homage to a retro classic into a modern classic that future titles will want to follow.
A wonderful throwback to a bygone era, Axiom Verge's focus on classic gameplay provides a welcome change of pace, even if it could've benefitted from a hint of modern design.
A homage to retro classics is one thing but having gameplay that's both challenging and fun makes Axiom Verge special. If you grew up in that era, you'd be a fool to miss out on this and if you're new to the genre, I can't think of a better entry.
Axiom Verge is familiar, homely, and far too simple, but those turn out to be its greatest qualities. This homage to 2D adventures is smartly and carefully done.
I actually enjoyed Axiom Verge better than Super Metroid. It is a must play for fans of the Metroidvania formula.