Axiom Verge 2

 PC
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. PC Games
    Sep 25, 2021
    70
    Cards on the table: Metroid is a series that I haven't had too close ties to for a long time. I am rather indifferent. That's why I didn't care about the open surroundings and the focus on hand-to-hand combat instead of firearms - but I understand if some fans of the predecessor would have wished for something else. On the other hand, I find it unhappy how lax and low-tension the fights are. For example, I raked the flying ox on the opposite side with an ice ax until it was dead. In such banal arguments, the joy of victory is limited. There are certainly people who have a better sense of direction than I do, because in some places I was quite at a loss as to where to go next. Here is my tip: If in doubt, go to the breach area. By the way, an all-round good innovation is the teleporting of memory points. That saves Indra a long walk or two.
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  2. GameSpot
    Aug 16, 2021
    70
    Simple combat, forgettable boss fights, and a reticent narrative--not to mention an overly vague map--are the only dampeners on what is an impressive sequel, despite never quite feeling like one. The unsuspected changes and additions are bold and mostly pay off, with consistently engaging and rewarding exploration that's propelled forward by an ambitious central mechanic. Axiom Verge 2 is a game that constantly evolves and delights, but just lacks the same bite as some of its contemporaries.
  3. IGN
    Aug 11, 2021
    70
    Axiom Verge 2 is a dual-dimensional Metroidvania that’s engaging to explore despite its one-dimensional combat and underwhelming boss fights.
  5. Jeuxvideo.com
    Aug 11, 2021
    70
    Axiom Verge 2 impresses with its level design. Its complex structure supported by two parallel worlds accessible at all times will offer a major challenge to aficionados of metroidvania. Too bad that gameplay inaccuracies spoil the party and cause frustrating situations. Without this, this second episode could easily have risen to the level of its predecessor.
  6. Vandal
    Sep 8, 2021
    68
    Axiom Verge 2 is a very different sequel that can’t really match the greatness of the original, but that we would recommend to those who enjoy non-linear platformers.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Aug 11, 2021
    Axiom Verge 2 isn't the most straightforward sequel, then, and some of its mechanical mutations are more successful than others. If you adored the guns and boss fights of the first game, then its sequel may be something of a disappointment. However, if you're into the puzzles and exploration side of Metroidvanias, Axiom Verge 2 shows a level of sophistication in its design that I haven't seen from this genre in quite some time, even if the end result can sometimes be a little obtuse. It's familiar, yet different; the kind of game the first Axiom Verge might have been in an alternate timeline, which feels fitting given its obsession with portals and shifting realities. With the door left open for even further forays into this kaleidoscope of different dimensions, you can bet I'll be back for more when Axiom Verge 3 rolls around.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 12 out of 29
  1. Rezwalker
    Aug 13, 2021
    5
    Axiom Verge 2 is a nice game but for me its a let down. Exploration is amazing, pixel art is amazing
    etc but combat are a bit boring. You can    Axiom Verge 2 is a nice game but for me its a let down. Exploration is amazing, pixel art is amazing
    etc but combat are a bit boring. You can skip boss's and your weapon are complet garbage and ultra slow.compared to the first one that had a **** of weapon
    its really short
    i was really hype for this release    … Full Review »
  2. BigheadSMZ
    Aug 21, 2021
    4
    I'll give it a few points for the music and aesthetics which are good, but this sequel is pretty boring. After two hours of play I had to putI'll give it a few points for the music and aesthetics which are good, but this sequel is pretty boring. After two hours of play I had to put it down because I wasn't having fun, running around with so little meaningful combat and upgrades was just... well, I already said it, boring. You're primary weapons are a pickaxe and a boomerang, which is a far cry from all the interesting weapons in the original. Compared to the first game, the hack tool in this one feels like more of an inconvenience, rather than an interesting gadget in your arsenal. The dumbed down weapons forces you to either want to avoid combat altogether, or use the hack tool to neuter them, not that they really present much challenge to begin with. The story seems alright, but I'm too bored to care about knowing what happens next. Shame because I was looking forward to this, but was left feeling disappointed. I guess if you're into games solely for exploration, this should scratch that itch. But if you are looking for all the classic elements that make a game in this genre fun to play, there are much better options out there.… Full Review »
  3. Wulf2468
    Aug 28, 2021
    0
    Axiom Verge 1 felt extremely polished. It was a really fun game to play, To me, it felt like a spiritual successor to Super Metroid.

    Axiom    Axiom Verge 1 felt extremely polished. It was a really fun game to play, To me, it felt like a spiritual successor to Super Metroid.

    Axiom Verge 2 on the other hand, had me wanting to quit playing 5 minutes into each session.

    The world was bland and forgettable. There weren't memorable locations that made it easy to get a sense of direction to back track to later. If you were to tell me the entire world was just ran through a randomizer, I would not be surprised.

    The sound effects were god awful and way too loud. Compared to all other sound that plays through my system, I had to put the sound at the lowest setting and it still was too loud. The attack sound effects, the sounds of breaking boxes, and many, many more sound effects were terrible to listen to. It was grating to the ears.

    The music was okay but extremely repetitive. As the game progressed, I ended up turning it down more and more.

    The story was "meh". The main character was not even remotely relatable. It was very name heavy and I wasn't enjoying the game enough to care to keep track of who was who in all the notes strewn about in the game.

    There was very little info on where to go throughout the game. There is a radar that is supposed to point you in the right direction or something, but it often lead me to a random spot with nothing there. The dots on the map are the best bet on finding where you need to go, but sometimes the starting point to get to that was half way across the map and knowing the final destination on the map not only were not useful, but actually did more harm than good.

    The power-ups were bad. The ones you picked each time you collected enough power-up juice never felt like they did anything. Going from no weapon power-ups to max didn't seem to change the number of times you need to hit enemies to kill them. The power-ups you obtained throughout the game that were required to progress were not that much better. A lot of them you only needed to use once or twice to continue the story and were only used thereafter to obtain secret notes or power-up juice.

    The combat was the worst. A boomerang was the only ranged weapon and it did basically no damage, was slow moving, and you can only have one out at a time so the slow movement also meant not being able to ranged attack again for quite some time. This makes the game primarily melee combat. The problem with that is the enemies are ranged, flying, and/or extremely fast. The AI chases you down, but always moves out of your melee range before you can get to them. Your attacks never get strong enough to make this okay and it takes many, many hits before even weak enemies die. It was so bad that fighting was not worth it and it was best to always avoid every fight.

    Ultimately, it felt like a prototype and every mechanic of the game was a gimmick. Near the end of the game, it started spitting out new mechanics left and right and were only used once. Each mechanic seemingly only designed to make them lose as much health as possible, in the most frustrating ways that were near unavoidable, just to prolong the end of the game.

    I would not play this again and I would not recommend this to a friend or even to an enemy. Axiom Verge 1 was so good, that I immediately bought Axiom Verge 2 when it came out. A decision that I now regret. If Axiom Verge 3 becomes a thing in the future, I won't be too enthusiastic about it and will definitely look up reviews and playthroughs of the game before even thinking about dropping money on the game. Even if I do decide to buy it, I would most likely wait for it to go on sale to recoup some of the money that was wasted on the mess that is Axiom Verge 2.    … Full Review »
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