Overall, Rivals of Aether 2 is not just good, it’s great. Comparing it to Melee isn’t just a frame of reference, it’s an honor. Never before has the platform fighter community rallied behind a game like it has for this one, and for good reason. It has the depth and skill ceiling that give Melee its unmatched staying power. Rivals 2 couples that with accessibility and broad appeal for players of all skill levels and interest in the genre. Not just that, the developer isn’t constantly looming in the shadows, ready to backstab the very people who love their game the most. That counts for something, and the community as a whole is counting on the developers at Aether Studios to bring them together to celebrate the genre they love. I think they just might pull it off.