Axiom Verge

 Switch
Axiom Verge Image
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87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 158 Ratings

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  • Summary: Life. Afterlife. Real. Virtual. Dream. Nightmare. It's a thin line.

    This is the action-adventure you've been waiting decades for. After a lab accident, a scientist awakens in a mysterious, alien world. Is this a distant planet? The far future? Or a complex virtual-reality computer    Life. Afterlife. Real. Virtual. Dream. Nightmare. It's a thin line.

    This is the action-adventure you've been waiting decades for. After a lab accident, a scientist awakens in a mysterious, alien world. Is this a distant planet? The far future? Or a complex virtual-reality computer simulation?

    Plumb the recesses of a large, labyrinthine world in order to learn its secrets and uncover your role within it.

    Discover tons of weapons, items, and abilities, each with their own unique behaviors and usage. You'll need your wits to find them all.

    Combat bizarre biomechanoid constructs, the deadly fallout of an ancient war, and the demons of your own psyche.

    And finally, break the game itself by using glitches to corrupt foes and solve puzzles in the environment.

    Life. Afterlife. Real. Virtual. Dream. Nightmare. It's a thin line.

    It's Axiom Verge.    … Expand
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Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition - Switch Announcement Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Nintendo Life
    Oct 4, 2017
    100
    This is truly an outstanding port of an outstanding game, no more and no less. We would strongly urge those of you that missed this game on other platforms to pick it up here; this is the full Axiom Verge experience and it's available in a format that supports both handheld and home play. For those of you who have played it before on other platforms, it’s ultimately a question of just how much you love this game. This is the exact same, excellent game that you’ve played before, so whether or not you want to buy it again is personal choice. Regardless of which side you fall on, Axiom Verge is a fantastic example of how to do a Metroidvania right, and we couldn’t be more pleased with it.
  2. Switch Player
    Feb 13, 2018
    100
    This isn’t a game for the faint-hearted. It’s a challenging action adventure which forces you to use physical and mental dexterity in equal measure. It wields nostalgia and innovation with laser precision, creating one of the most fun and inspiring games that you will have the chance to play. If you want an excellent adventure platformer, then it would be a disservice not to own this game.
  3. Hardcore Gamer
    Oct 5, 2017
    90
    Axiom Verge was already one of the best Metroid-style games in years and it lands on the Switch like it belongs there. The game is endlessly creative with new enemies, weapons and tools, making each new area a fun challenge to explore while giving plenty of reason to revisit the older ones. The huge, detailed bosses can seem insurmountable at first, but give up their patterns after an attempt or two, and good odds of receiving a new ability afterwards makes the fight worthwhile.
  4. Cubed3
    Feb 12, 2018
    90
    A lesser game would have broken away from the standard Metroidvania fare by referencing Super Metroid and playing out like a 2D Metroid would be expected to. It wouldn't be bad, but it wouldn't be particularly special, either. Axiom Verge is not a lesser game, though. It strictly pays tribute to the original NES Metroid, but not once does it do anything with its premise that feels derivative. Any instance of homage is quickly subverted and thrust down a path all of its own. Solutions to puzzles are genuinely creative and the overworld is filled with more optional weapons and upgrades than actually necessary for a normal playthrough, offering an incredibly rewarding, explorative experience. Challenging, creative, and endlessly endearing, Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition is the best take on the Metroidvania genre in years.
  5. Everyeye.it
    Oct 5, 2017
    87
    A great game.
  6. ZTGD
    Oct 25, 2017
    85
    Axiom Verge is a real homage to a time gone by. But instead of feeling old and tired, it injects new life into an old genre by coming up with inventive ways to push you forward. It is also the kind of game that works great on the Switch. Its simple design means it plays well on the go and also doesn’t kill the battery. If you are looking for something to dip in and out of during the busy Fall period, then look no further.
  7. Destructoid
    Oct 11, 2017
    75
    Axiom Verge works great as a portable game, and while it's been available before on the Vita, I feel like the Switch is the best possible platform since it looks spectacular in handheld mode and works beautifully as a sit-down, console experience.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 38
  3. Negative: 4 out of 38
  1. ironzombi
    Feb 13, 2018
    10
    This game far surpassed my expectations and considering that it was all done by 1 person, I decided this game deserves a 10/10, if there areThis game far surpassed my expectations and considering that it was all done by 1 person, I decided this game deserves a 10/10, if there are any faults with the game, it would be that some weapons kind of felt underwhelming, I ended up focusing my playthrough on a few weapons only. Axiom Verge is easily one of the best Metroidvania games I have personally played and the fact that it stands next to Super Metroid is all you should need to know if you are considering playing Axiom Verge.

    I loved the soundtrack, the graphics and the movement of Trace was on point, some of the sound effects were a bit screechy and would be the second issue I would have with the game. The speedrun mode is an awesome addition and provides some replayability along with the randomized secret areas, I also bought the Multiverse Edition which is a great physical release, if you are a Metroid fan you NEED to play this game.    … Expand
  2. doginmylense
    Jun 12, 2019
    10
    This is one of my top 3 indie games. It's a fantastic love letter to the NES and Metroid with such uniqueness and creativity. I bought thisThis is one of my top 3 indie games. It's a fantastic love letter to the NES and Metroid with such uniqueness and creativity. I bought this game used thinking meh I might like it and I was absolutely blown away. In my top 10 on switch I can't recommend this title enough!… Expand
  4. VTL
    Dec 9, 2019
    9
    Este juego si te gustan los metroid y los castlebania.... tardas en jugarlo.
    Brutal, dificil, sorprendente,.... increible juego. Y con esa    Este juego si te gustan los metroid y los castlebania.... tardas en jugarlo.
    Brutal, dificil, sorprendente,.... increible juego. Y con esa estetica viejuna 8-16 bits... espectacular.    … Expand
  5. Enkindled
    Jun 2, 2019
    8
    Axiom Verge is a 2D side-scroller shooter. This game is a Metroid-inspired game, you go through a claustrophobic dungeon, with alien-lookingAxiom Verge is a 2D side-scroller shooter. This game is a Metroid-inspired game, you go through a claustrophobic dungeon, with alien-looking creatures and structures. I actually have no complaints, this is, indeed, one of the best 2D Platformer Shooters I`ve ever played, and man, I play games like these since 1994...so that's a lot. I can`t say its perfect because its style is not unique.

    However, I must say the following: (i) The artwork is amazing. This is a pixel art game, and it is as good as it comes. The environment is amazing; (ii) The gameplay is fluent and easy; (iii) The difficult is extremely balanced. It's not easy, but not overly frustrating; (iv) The story is interesting enough for you want to keep exploring the mystery; (v) The gadgets you have are beyond awesome, and you have so much fun with them. So, without further delay..., it's a great game, and perfect for the Switch. Don't miss it.    … Expand
  6. chavaflyfree
    Jun 12, 2018
    7
    It's a great game, that's for sure. Great homage to the classic metroidvania style with really nice and original abilities (glitching enemiesIt's a great game, that's for sure. Great homage to the classic metroidvania style with really nice and original abilities (glitching enemies and environment is just amazing). And it was developed by a single person which is most impressive.
    Graphics are a mix bag, with great animations and effect but some weird enemies and backgrounds. But it all works.
    The main complain I have is, though i'm not new to the metroidvania genre, it feels a bit cryptic in places and some of the hidden objects and rooms are too hard (imo) to find without a guide even with the map provided in the special edition and backtracking can get tedious. Story is a bit chaotic but it works.    … Expand
  7. MajinWamu
    Nov 9, 2017
    6
    Interesting game, and very similar to Metroid. Actually in some aspects I would say even better than Metroid with the large variety of weaponsInteresting game, and very similar to Metroid. Actually in some aspects I would say even better than Metroid with the large variety of weapons and items; however, overall it wasn't as good as I would had hoped.
    I totally agree with the other reviewers that the backtracking is what really gets annoying. The map may seem big, but it really isn't at all. It is actually quite small and can be completely explored within a couple hours. What makes it seem larger than it is, is the fact that there really isn't a teleportation system, so you have to go back and forth, and back again.
    Another thing is the difficulty. I played it on hard, and it really wasn't that hard at all. I haven't even tried the normal difficulty, but at this point I am afraid to ever consider it.
    Other reviewers praised the music, but maybe I just don't get it, but it annoyed me. Most of the time I played through the game with the volume off. Especially with that song of a girl who sounds like she just tripped and fell down a well.
    Overall it is an interesting game, but just not one for me, I suppose. The game is a little on the short side, and beyond the beginning, the challenge doesn't get any better, but easier as you pick up more upgrades. Once you find a weapon that works for you, you are pretty much. Also I advise you to change the input scheme for a more comfortable play. For the switch, I completely changed all of the buttons, since they are all used, in order to find a format that worked for me.    … Expand
  8. Nintendist
    Jun 30, 2022
    0
    the lack of content hits hard here. this game really needs more good gameplay content

See all 38 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Switch Game of 2017
40
#40 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
46
#46 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017