Axiom Verge

 Wii U
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
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  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 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. ItAfter 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.    … Expand
  2. Odh
    Sep 6, 2019
    4
    Metroidvania style indie game with bland visuals trying to go retro but lacking in personality. Exploration, powerups, and pacing, just not as much fun as other superior games in the genre. Also the music was forgettable. Only play this if you are out of other Metroidvanias to play, this is not one of the better games in the genre.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. FNintendo
    Oct 25, 2016
    90
    Axiom Verge goes beyond the initial impression of being a tribute to the Metroid series and quickly strikes the player as being a thoroughly developed, impeccably-designed exploration game, with an enormous amount of content to discover and a huge variety of weapons, upgrades and power-ups.
    Read full review
  2. Digital Chumps
    Sep 12, 2016
    88
    Axiom Verge is a solid game with very little to complain about. In the case of it arriving on the Wii U, it's definitely a case of better late than never.
    Read full review
  3. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Sep 7, 2016
    95
    Boldly experimental, but still fiercely dedicated to the masterful execution of 2D action/exploration genre essentials. [Issue #23 – September/October 2016, p.28]
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