Axiom Verge 2

Last updated
Axiom Verge 2
Axiom Verge 2 cover art.jpg
Developer(s) Thomas Happ Games
Publisher(s) Thomas Happ Games
Platform(s)
ReleaseSwitch, PS4, Windows
August 11, 2021
PlayStation 5
August 9, 2022
Linux
August 11, 2022
Xbox One
July 11, 2023
Genre(s) Metroidvania
Mode(s) Single-player

Axiom Verge 2 is a Metroidvania video game by American indie developer Thomas Happ Games. It is the sequel to Axiom Verge and was released on August 11, 2021, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Windows (exclusive to the Epic Games Store client). [1] The game was later released on Steam [2] and PlayStation 5 [3] in August 2022. It was also ported to Xbox One in July 2023. [4]

Contents

The game follows Indra Chaudhari, a billionaire who receives a mysterious message telling her to go to Antarctica if she wishes to see her missing daughter again. It received generally favorable reviews from critics.

Gameplay

The same location in the Overworld (top) and the Breach (bottom). Axiom Verge 2 parallel worlds.png
The same location in the Overworld (top) and the Breach (bottom).

Just like its predecessor, Axiom Verge 2 is a side-scroller action-adventure game. The player controls Indra Chaudhari, a mysterious billionaire. The gameplay borrows elements from games from the 1980s and 1990s such as Metroid , Contra , Blaster Master , and Bionic Commando , among others.[ citation needed ] The game focuses on action and exploration, and features many items, enemies, and power-ups. Most of Indra's power-ups come in the form of "Arms", entities with various powers. [5] Indra battles enemies either with weapons such as axes and boomerangs [6] or by hacking them to alter their behaviors. [6] [7] Her attributes such as health and attack power can be upgraded freely using Apocalypse Flasks scattered around the map. [7] Unusually for a Metroidvania, most bosses are optional and can be bypassed with no consequence to progression. [8] [6]

Most of Axiom Verge 2 is set in the world of Kiengir, which is split into two parallel dimensions known as the "Overworld" and "Breach" respectively. The Overworld is larger and appears largely natural and akin to Earth, while the Breach appears more digital and can only be accessed by Indra in the form of an artificial drone. Indra is frequently required to move through the Breach to progress to its equivalent locations in the Overworld, and vice versa. [9]

Plot

In 2053, Indra Chaudhari, founder and CEO of the Globe 3 megacorporation, purchases Hammond Corp after its owner Elizabeth Hammond vanishes while carrying out research in Jones Station, Antarctica. The acquisition includes Hammond's original prototype for ansibles capable of zero-latency communication. Upon powering up the prototype, Indra receives a message from an unknown source telling her to come to Antarctica if she wishes to see her missing daughter again.

Indra explores Jones Station and is teleported via a cargo lift to a reality she does not recognize. She drowns in rising water, but finds herself reconstructed at a mysterious altar by an entity that introduces herself as Amashilama. Amashilama is an "Arm" – "an intelligent collection of machines" – that has bonded with Indra's body.

Indra finds the base camps of Hammond's research team. The researchers explain that they were studying this world – Kiengir – with Hammond until robots appeared and attacked the researchers, killing most of them and leaving the survivors isolated from each other. Furthermore, the cargo lift was destroyed so that it could no longer be used to leave Kiengir, and a group of Kazakh scientists from nearby Sagimbayev Station were never heard from again.

Indra acquires more Arms such as the sentient Damu, who can transfer Indra's consciousness to a small drone. She is horrified to learn that Damu was converted as a young child. The unknown person behind the ansible messages eventually reveals herself as Hammond. Indra also encounters the Lamassu, a highly advanced AI that released the robots to exterminate all humans on Kiengir and destroy the cargo lift. It explains that its actions are to prevent cross-contamination between separate universes, such as those of Earth and Kiengir.

Amashilama tricks Indra into giving the former control over the latter's body and trapping Indra's consciousness in Damu's drone form. Indra later acquires a humanoid replacement body and does battle with Amashilama, but both parties find that the advanced technology built by the native Sagiga will always prevent them from dying. The Lamassu explains Amashilama's plans: she will acquire an army of war machines known as Siuna and use them to raze the mother world A'ansur. Amashilama believes this will liberate Kiengir, but in actuality it would destroy both worlds and many others including Earth. Although it still distrusts Indra, the Lamassu decides Amashilama is a bigger threat, and gives Indra the mission to stop her using a single Siuna on Kiengir.

Indra finds both her daughter Samara and Hammond between universes, where they are trapped in a form of detention with countless other people. Hammond lets Indra speak with her daughter, but does not tell Indra how they ended up there out of concern for her mental health. Indra later finds Hammond's body on Kiengir; she had become trapped during the Lamassu's initial assault and died long before she could send her initial message to Indra. Amashilama assumes control of the Siuna Indra was pointed to and leaves the latter's original body limp on the ground. Seeing the apparently dead original Indra, the new one questions her own identity.

The new Indra prepares to a rig a powerful Breach bomb that will destroy the portal from Kiengir to A'ansur, but Amashilama intervenes and traps her in a force field after a battle. The original Indra suddenly arrives and attacks Amashilama, giving the new one time to arm the bomb and escape. The resulting explosion completely destroys both Amashilama, her Siuna, the old Indra, and the portal to A'ansur. The new Indra realizes she only wants to turn Damu back into a physical being and no longer cares about returning to Earth, and so joins the Kazakhs, who unbeknownst to the Hammond Corp team have transcended humanity. Pondering the death of the old Indra, the new one decides she can no longer call herself by that name but has become something else.

If the player finished the game with a high completion percentage, a post-credits scene shows the old Indra reuniting with Samara in the afterlife.

Development

Development on Axiom Verge 2 began in November 2015 after some months of brainstorming. [10] During the development of its predecessor, Happ created ideas for seven different games and chose the one that seemed the most interesting to him, "I would never have time to do [the other titles] but Axiom Verge 2's story seemed like the most interesting one to continue with if I did get the chance to make it". [10]

Enemies were designed to be less "spongy" and to have more ways for the player to approach them. [10] The game incorporates elements of Sumerian culture due to it being the first one with a written language. The visuals were tweaked to be brighter and focus more on outdoor locales due to Happ becoming bored with the repetition of making the same type of art. The sequel was inspired by titles like Prey, The Legend of Zelda , Horizon Zero Dawn , and Shadow of the Colossus . [10] [11] When writing the plot, Happ intended for it to reveal information the series' universe while simultaneously serving as a self-contained story. [11]

Mayssa Karaa provided vocals for the music, [12] which Happ branched out into the folk and fantasy genres while continuing the electronic style of the first game. [10]

Reception

The game received "generally favorable" reviews on Metacritic. [1] [13] [14]

Tom Sykes of PC Gamer praised the title, calling it a "bold and ambitious sequel" that builds on the work of its predecessor. [8] Eric Van Allen of Destructoid gave it a positive review, saying that it "feels different and very much its own". [7] Mitch Vogel of Nintendo Life called the Nintendo Switch version "an impressively high-quality experience from stern to stern". [9] Tristan Ogilvie of IGN enjoyed the world of the game, "Axiom Verge 2 is a dual-dimensional Metroidvania that's engaging to explore despite its one-dimensional combat and underwhelming boss fights." [16]

GameSpot liked the new biomes present, describing them as "suitably distinct from one another" and additionally gave praise to the new world saying, "The Breach's ingenuity is derived from the way it challenges you to solve navigational puzzles". [6] Polygon felt the "existential kind of isolation" that the story brought to the game gave Axiom Verge its "most powerful moments". [19] Nintendo World Report liked the infect mechanic, which let the player take over mechanical objects, enjoying how it brought "another layer to combat". [18]

NME also praised the environments, but conversely criticized the focus on exploration, saying that it made the gameplay feel flat. [20] Game Informer 's Matt Miller felt the size of the map could overwhelm the player, and criticized the lack of variety, saying that "the many interconnected corridors begin to blend into a long and confusing blur". [15] Rock Paper Shotgun felt the high use of backtracking and poor objective placement led the game to be unnecessarily confusing to the player. [5]

Related Research Articles

Metroid is an action-adventure game franchise created by Nintendo. The player controls the bounty hunter Samus Aran, who protects the galaxy from Space Pirates and other malevolent forces and their attempts to harness the power of the parasitic Metroid creatures.

<i>Metroid Prime</i> 2002 video game

Metroid Prime is a 2002 action-adventure game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. Metroid Prime is the fifth main Metroid game and the first to use 3D computer graphics and a first-person perspective. It was released in North America in November 2002, and in Japan and Europe the following year. Along with the Game Boy Advance game Metroid Fusion, Prime marked the return of the Metroid series after an eight-year hiatus following Super Metroid (1994).

<i>Super Metroid</i> 1994 video game

Super Metroid is a 1994 action-adventure game developed by Nintendo and Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It is the third installment in the Metroid series, following the events of the Game Boy game Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991). Players control bounty hunter Samus Aran, who travels to planet Zebes to retrieve an infant Metroid creature stolen by the Space Pirate leader Ridley.

<i>Metroid Fusion</i> 2002 video game

Metroid Fusion is a 2002 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. It was developed by Nintendo Research & Development 1, which had developed the previous Metroid game, Super Metroid (1994). Fusion is part of the Metroid series, and takes place between the events of Metroid: Other M and Metroid Dread. Players control the bounty hunter Samus Aran, who investigates a space station infected with shapeshifting parasites known as X.

<i>Metroid Prime 2: Echoes</i> 2004 video game

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is a 2004 adventure game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. The sequel to Metroid Prime (2002) and the first Metroid game with a multiplayer feature, Echoes was released in North America, Europe and Australia in 2004 and in Japan under the name Metroid Prime 2: Dark Echoes in May 2005.

<i>Metroid Prime Hunters</i> 2006 video game

Metroid Prime Hunters is a 2006 action-adventure game developed by Nintendo Software Technology and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It was released in North America in March 2006, with other territories later. The story takes place in between the events of Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Players assume the role of series protagonist Samus Aran, who investigates a mysterious message that originated from the Alimbic Cluster and comes into contact with a legion of bounty hunters.

<i>Metroid Prime 3: Corruption</i> 2007 video game

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is a 2007 action-adventure game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Wii. The seventh main installment in the Metroid series, it was released in North America and Europe in 2007 and in Japan the following year.

<i>Metroid Dread</i> 2021 video game

Metroid Dread is a 2021 action-adventure game developed by MercurySteam and Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was released on October 8, 2021. Set after Metroid Fusion (2002), players control the bounty hunter Samus Aran as she investigates the source of a mysterious transmission on the planet ZDR. It retains the side-scrolling gameplay of previous 2D Metroid games and incorporates stealth elements.

<i>Metroid</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Metroid is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo. The first installment in the Metroid series, it was originally released in Japan for the Family Computer Disk System in August 1986. North America received a release in August 1987 on the Nintendo Entertainment System in the Game Pak ROM cartridge format, with the European release following in January 1988. Set on the planet Zebes, the story follows Samus Aran as she attempts to retrieve the parasitic Metroid organisms that were stolen by Space Pirates, who plan to replicate the Metroids by exposing them to beta rays and then use them as biological weapons to destroy Samus and all who oppose them.

<i>Monster Tale</i> 2011 video game

Monster Tale is a Nintendo DS platformer and virtual pet game developed by DreamRift and published by Majesco Entertainment in 2011. It was only released in North America. It follows the story of a young girl, named Ellie, and her adventures in Monster World with her monster companion, Chomp. Together they must stop the evil Kid-Kings and return Monster World to its rightful inhabitants, the monsters, and also find a way for Ellie to return home.

<i>Axiom Verge</i> 2015 video game

Axiom Verge is a metroidvania video game by American indie developer Thomas Happ. The game was originally released in March 2015 in North America and April 2015 in Europe and Australia for PlayStation 4. It was released in May 2015 for Linux, OS X, and Windows. A PlayStation Vita version was released in April 2016. The Wii U and Xbox One versions were released in North America and Europe in September 2016. A Nintendo Switch version was released in October 2017.

<i>Aliens Infestation</i> 2011 video game

Aliens: Infestation is a 2011 2D sidescroller game for the Nintendo DS handheld console. It was developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Sega. It is a tie-in to the Alien franchise. The cover art as well as the character designs and avatars were drawn by comic book artist Chris Bachalo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sickhead Games</span> American video game company

Sickhead Games, LLC is an American independent game development studio founded in 2002. It is best known for its multiplatform turn-based strategy game ARMED!, its involvement with the MonoGame framework and Torque series of game engines, and the development of several PlayStation 4/5, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch ports of indie games including TowerFall Ascension, Stardew Valley, Darkest Dungeon, Octodad: Dadliest Catch, Slay the Spire, and Axiom Verge. The studio has updated classic console and PC games from the late 1990s and early 2000s, including ExZeus, Enclave, and Grandia, to run on modern gaming systems.

<i>Xeodrifter</i> 2014 video game

Xeodrifter is a Metroidvania video game developed by Renegade Kid. The game was first released for Nintendo 3DS and Microsoft Windows in 2014. A Wii U port of the game was released 2015, and after Gambitious Digital Entertainment acquired the rights to the Microsoft Windows version of the game, it was also released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in 2015. A Nintendo Switch version was released in February 2018.

AM2R is an action-adventure game developed by Argentinian programmer Milton Guasti and released on August 6, 2016, Metroid's 30th anniversary. It was originally released for Windows. It is an unofficial remake of the 1991 Game Boy game Metroid II: Return of Samus in the style of Metroid: Zero Mission (2004). As in the original Metroid II, players control bounty hunter Samus Aran, who aims to eradicate the parasitic Metroids. AM2R adds several features, including new graphics and music, new areas and bosses, altered controls, and a map system.

<i>Elliot Quest</i> 2014 video game

Elliot Quest is a side-scrolling action-adventure platform game by Mexican developer Ansimuz Games. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 2014, followed shortly by a Wii U port in 2015, and later to other platforms throughout 2017. It is similar to such games as Metroid, Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.

<i>Metroid: Samus Returns</i> 2017 video game

Metroid: Samus Returns is a 2017 action-adventure game developed by MercurySteam and Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS handheld game console. It is a remake of the 1991 Game Boy game Metroid II: Return of Samus. Players control series protagonist Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who is contracted by the Galactic Federation to exterminate the parasitic Metroid species on their home planet of SR388. While the story and structure parallel the original game, Samus Returns features redone graphics, updated controls and user interface, and new gameplay mechanics not seen in previous 2D Metroid titles, such as a melee counterattack and the ability to aim freely at any angle.

<i>The Mummy Demastered</i> 2017 Metroidvania video game by WayForward

The Mummy Demastered is a Metroidvania video game developed by WayForward Technologies and based on the 2017 film The Mummy. It takes place concurrently with the events of the film, with players playing as an unnamed Prodigium soldier under the command of Dr. Henry Jekyll who must fight the evil forces of Princess Ahmanet. The game was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in October 2017. The Nintendo Switch version was released in Japan on July 30, 2020, while a version for Amazon Luna was released on October 20 of the same year.

<i>Ghost Song</i> (video game) 2022 video game

Ghost Song is a 2022 video game developed by Old Moon and published by Humble Games for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Axiom Verge 2". Metacritic. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  2. ↑ Romano, Sal (March 11, 2022). "Axiom Verge 2 coming to Steam on August 11". Gematsu. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  3. ↑ Edwards, Louis (August 9, 2022). "PlayStation Store Update Worldwide – August 9, 2022". PlaystationLifestyle. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Axiom Verge 2 now available for Xbox One". Gematsu. 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  5. 1 2 Castle, Katharine (August 11, 2021). "Axiom Verge 2 review: a more sedate but enthralling Metroidvania". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Wakeling, Richard (August 11, 2021). "Axiom Verge 2 Review -- More Vania Than Metroid". GameSpot . Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Van Allen, Eric (August 12, 2021). "Review: Axiom Verge 2". Destructoid . Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 Sykes, Tom (August 11, 2021). "Axiom Verge 2 review". PC Gamer . Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 Vogel, Mitch (11 August 2021). "Axiom Verge 2 Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life . Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Happ, Tom (September 8, 2020). "Talking Axiom Verge 2 with Tom Happ". Nintendo World Report (Interview). Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  11. 1 2 Happ, Tom (January 2, 2020). "Interview: Tom Happ talks Axiom Verge 2 plot, inspirations, and more". Destructoid - Nintendo. Interviewed by Lamoreux, Ben. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  12. ↑ Denzer, TJ (August 13, 2021). "Axiom Verge 2 soundtrack: Song list & artists". Shacknews . Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Axiom Verge 2". Metacritic. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Axiom Verge 2". Metacritic . Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  15. 1 2 Miller, Matt (August 11, 2021). "Axiom Verge 2 Review – Lost In Another World". Game Informer . Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  16. 1 2 Ogilvie, Tristan (August 11, 2021). "Axiom Verge 2 Review". IGN . Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  17. ↑ Gregoire, Aubin (August 11, 2021). "Test Axiom Verge 2 : Un metroid-like plein de bonnes intentions". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  18. 1 2 Miller, Zachary (August 11, 2021). "Axiom Verge 2 (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  19. ↑ Vazquez, Suriel (August 17, 2021). "Axiom Verge 2 is obsessed, and cursed, with nostalgia". Polygon. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  20. ↑ Signor, Jeremy (August 16, 2021). "'Axiom Verge 2' review: a daring departure that expands what's possible in platformers". NME . Retrieved July 23, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.