Axiom Verge

 Wii U
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Sep 1, 2016
    70
    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.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Wii U Game of 2016
9
#9 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2016
9
#9 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 52
  3. Negative: 5 out of 52
  1. CodyCoyote64
    Sep 8, 2016
    2
    After taking about a week to think about what to give this game, I have finally decided to merely give it a two. Mind you, this is onlyAfter taking about a week to think about what to give this game, I have finally decided to merely give it a two. Mind you, this is only because the game is quite good at setting UP something fun, but when it is all said and done the game is quite the underwhelming experience. I would go so far as to say that this is probably the most underwhelming Metroidvania game I've ever played. It doesn't excel as a spiritual successor to Metroid, and it certainly doesn't excel as being it's own thing. There are dozens of other better Metroidvania's out there to really even bother giving this one a second glance. Even IF you are a hardcore Metroid fan.

    If you are a Metroid fan, a real one, play Federation Force instead.

    What's wrong with it?

    I feel like the main problem is the lack of thought put into the power ups and general level design. It's like the creator of the game ripped map designs from the original Metroid, slapped them into this, and then tried to invent new ways to bypass the obstacle. The powers are well designed and are fun to use, but WILL start to feel old eventually. And due to the way the game tends to 'stack' existing powers you never really feel like you're getting anything new. For example, I remember I got the second and third coats one after the other, with no real interesting gameplay changes in between. The drill in particular feels unused, and almost worthless after you get the coat.

    There are problems with the weapon balance. There is NO REASON to use anything other than the default blaster and the Kilver. There are some weapons that make some bosses easier to hit, but other than that, I got through the game just fine with JUST those two. It felt like kind of a missed opportunity.

    Some of the outside areas look nice (We REALLY need a real 2D Metroid to take place in open areas, I've been saying this for years!) and the first few bosses look and play well.

    In fact, I would say my main problem with the game is the sharp decline in quality around the halfway point. Bosses become less interesting, power ups becoming less interesting, level design suffers as a result...

    It's just really underwhelming. And it's a shame, too. I can tell the developer put a lot of work into in it in some ways, but my impression is that it was just NOT READY. I don't care about the lore, or the characters, or the world, or the game. I honestly feel like I would have had much more fun playing Super Metroid again than ever picking this up.    … Full Review »
  2. ricklongo
    Nov 15, 2016
    9
    It's ironic that Axiom Verge was released on Wii U on the same day Metroid Prime: Federation Force hit the 3DS. That's because, whileIt's ironic that Axiom Verge was released on Wii U on the same day Metroid Prime: Federation Force hit the 3DS. That's because, while Nintendo's own portable title largely failed to entice those clamoring for more Metroid, Thomas Happ's indie homage to Samus Aran's adventures is nothing short of a masterpiece.

    The game begins with a quick story introduction: you're a scientist who went through a mysterious lab explosion and, instead of dying, woke up on a very strange world. You start pretty much helpless, but soon, with the help of a mysterious voice in your head, manage to get a weapon to start things up.

    The basic gameplay is all classic 2D Metroid: you'll explore the many interconnected sections of the world, all the while looking for power ups to attack and energy, as well as new weapons and abilities that open up previously closed paths.

    What makes Axiom Verge something truly special, aside from its sheer mastery of the metroidvania formula, is how it differentiates itself with some honest-to-goodness innovative gameplay elements. Almost all of the new abilities you come across refuse to follow the tried-and-true foundations of the genre; instead, they're exciting new solutions to the same gameplay challenges, making the whole thing few extremely fresh.

    The best idea on display is the Axiom Disruptor, a weapon which allows you to "bug" (or "debug") certain enemies and structures. Whenever an enemy gets hit with a strong enough blast of the weapon, they will get all glitchy, reminiscent of actual 8-bit glitches from back in the day, and this will change their properties and behavior. This is used in incredibly clever ways, allowing you to solve puzzles, open secret pathways and find collectibles all over the game world.

    To make everything even more enjoyable, the story manages to be a real highlight (and given how I'm generally quite unimpressed with video game stories, that's really saying something). This is a tale of strange phenomena in a very peculiar reality, and how a scientific mind might react and adapt to them. There are some genuinely touching moments here, with a healthy dose of goosebump-inducing macabre details.

    If there's something that might elicit complaints about Axiom Verge it's how the game requires absolute dedication if you want to see everything. Some of the more obtuse secrets can be kind of a pain to track down, especially given how the game lacks a quick-travel device. This is kind of a bummer to completionists such as myself, especially since it's impossible to actually get every last weapon in a single playthrough.

    Lastly, there's one big plus to the Wii U version, and that's the gamepad. Being able to check the map and change weapons without pausing is a godsend, as it allows the game's excellent sense of immersion to remain intact at all times.

    TL;DR:
    Axiom Verge is pretty much everything I could ever hope for in a new Metroid game, with the added perk that it manages to absolutely be its own thing. Come to think of it, as a big fan of innovation in games, that makes it even more memorable than a brand new Super Metroid could probably be to me. It's one of the best games of recent memory, and definitely one of the crowning jewels of this generation.

    9.5/10    … Full Review »
  3. FrankoAmmo
    Jul 5, 2017
    8
    I completed this game about 3 months ago...what a great game!! The items, the map, the gameplay, the story, etc. I would have liked a moreI completed this game about 3 months ago...what a great game!! The items, the map, the gameplay, the story, etc. I would have liked a more linear story, but I still really enjoyed it. I will buy the sequel without a doubt if there is one. I don't why some people did not like it...I feel it was like a Zero Mission, but less linear and more complete in a way.

    8.5 out of 10 for me!    … Full Review »
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