AeternoBlade II

 Xbox One
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 1 Critic Review

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 1 out of 1
  1. TheXboxHub
    Nov 29, 2019
    30
    Everything about AeternoBlade II feels like a recipe concocted with all the wrong ingredients. Every corner of its world is a slog, the combat becomes increasingly more boring and the story is inaccessible. While playable on a basic level, it is a fantasy world with a lack of magic, and I never want to visit it again.

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User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 4 out of 10
  1. Xbox_Alive
    Oct 20, 2019
    7
    Aeterno Blade II is a 2D/3D Puzzle Platforming Action Adventure. Being a direct sequel to the 3DS game released in 2014. Aeterno Blade IIAeterno Blade II is a 2D/3D Puzzle Platforming Action Adventure. Being a direct sequel to the 3DS game released in 2014. Aeterno Blade II doesn't give much in the way of backstory and expects you to have played the first game. The website gives a bit of information for those who enjoy understanding the story. You alternate between a trio of heroes, Freyja, Felix, and Bernard. Each of the trio of heroes has their own means of manipulating time to help you defeat enemies, and solve puzzles. Most of the game is played as a 2D side scroller, fitting the Metroidvania style of progression. Then, sometimes abruptly, you get dropped into a 3D area to fight a boss. The game blends several playstyles together in an attempt to create something new. And given the hardships, the developers went through to create and release this game it's expected there would be a few minor visual and gameplay glitches, some causing you to have to restart an area and try again. The gameplay is magnificent, minus the few glitches, and provides a challenging and beautiful experience. Fans of the first game should definitely add this to their collection, and those who haven't played the first one, I recommend you either find it and play it or go to their website and catch up.… Full Review »
  2. Sora13north
    Oct 20, 2019
    7
    For what it is, AternoBlade II is not a bad game. However, this does mean it is far from perfect and does have its share of downfalls. It’s aFor what it is, AternoBlade II is not a bad game. However, this does mean it is far from perfect and does have its share of downfalls. It’s a hack n slash puzzle platformer title developed by Corecell Technology and published by PQube.

    The story is simple – an all-out war for universal power. Prevent the bad guys from securing an artefact that will give them complete control. Simple enough and easy to follow. My interest in the story did come and go, the biggest draw was actually AeternoBlade’s combat.

    The combat is just what you would expect from a hack n slash. But, that is what makes it so endearing, picking up a controller and mindlessly cutting down enemies makes a nice change of pace from having to count your ammo and think about your next attack.
    In terms of fluidity combat wise the game is sound, combat flows well, and it doesn’t feel blocky.

    Earn rewards through Norns memorials – enter the Enigmata and complete a trial to get some items to help you on this adventure. Similar to Norns memorials, you will save your progress at a Norns, and it will also serve as a checkpoint for the level. You will return either here upon death or you can go back to the start of the area if you so wish.

    You’re not limited to just one character on this journey, experience the slicing and dicing Freyja, Felix and Bernard, each catering to a different play style. However, the majority of the game is played as a side scroller. Not that this is a bad thing since the third-person perspective sections of the game could do with a bit of work. The camera becomes your enemy when you have a wider range of movement.

    While the characters may look good, it soon becomes infuriating to watch as they speak. The lips and sound are so out of sync sometimes that I actually lose track of who is speaking. However, this isn’t a constant problem, more it comes and goes.

    Most games in the hack n slash genre involve mindless button basing – a sure-fire way to ensure victory. That works in AeternoBlade II during the levels (for the most part) but slamming the buttons in a boss battle is a good way to end up six feet under.

    Throughout the game, you will earn new abilities such as the time paradox ability. Essentially you create a clone to copy your actions after you’ve done them, you have the gift of time, use it wisely. Gifts like this come in handy against bosses and solving puzzles.

    Clearly, this game decided the bosses should be what makes the game challenging, it can be easy reaching a boss – whole other story when fighting them. As a major fan of the Souls series, I can get on board with tough boss fights. In fact, they are quite well designed and versatile in AeternoBlade II, the developer did well.

    Overall, the game is an enjoyable experience and is worth playing whether or are a previous fan or not. It may have its faults such as the animations and dodgy camera angles, but it makes up for that with it’s fun combat and good puzzles.    … Full Review »
  3. Ookasora
    Oct 20, 2019
    9
    If you’re looking for a brief overview though, then this game starts with the main protagonist and heroine of the first game, Freyja, as sheIf you’re looking for a brief overview though, then this game starts with the main protagonist and heroine of the first game, Freyja, as she discovers the fates of time and space are in danger of being destroyed by a cataclysmic event. Embarking on a journey to stop this catastrophe from happening, Freyja is joined by two other co-patriots, Bernard and Felix and the three of them set forth to shift the sands of time and manipulate the world around them in order to save the planet from an impending doom; something perhaps humanity could embark on with today’s current climates.

    The gameplay itself is made up of a number of elements and components, but for the most part it runs along the lines of a 2D, hack and slash, platformer. However, it also contains elements of a Metroidvania style of play with its points of exploration, combat moves and abilities and a series of puzzles across a number of varying environments. At various points within the game, you switch between each of the three characters, producing a variance in the combat style of its hack and slash formula, plus also change your perspective from 2D to a third-dimensional, over-the-shoulder view when up against the games’ many boss fights or find yourself within the midst of a large-scale battle. This creates a number of differing play-styles within the game; preventing it from staleness and providing a good level of fun as you play through it.

    Although primarily a side-scrolling, hack and slash title, the combat system takes advantage of three different move systems, as well as a variety of a weapon styles. You have heavy, light and aerial attacks, special abilities, the power to bend and adjust time and a dodge mechanic, called flash. Each of the three characters also posses varying styles of weapons, from light swords to whip-style, metroidvania, combat skills; all of which can be upgraded through a series of trees with the collection of orbs from successful mission completions. It brings a role-playing element to the game to keep you further invested into its gameplay, as well as bring some clever implementations of move styles and abilities.

    Once equipped with the power of the AeternoBlade, you can alter the physics of time through rewinding, creating mirror images and freezing it still. It’s a concept that is vital to certain elements of the game, namely in some puzzle solving and level traversing. For instance, I needed to get to an out-of-reach ledge, but my jump ability just could not reach it. I then flung an enemy into the air, froze time and simply jumped onto his stasis form and onto the ledge that I could not reach. It’s a genius level of design and one that makes you feel accomplished in the amount of moves you can pull off.

    It’s a mechanic that needs to be mastered and upgraded, as the enemies within the game spike quite early on. This presents a challenging game, but also one that still feels fair and never really frustrates. With its shifting viewpoints, exploration and exciting combat, this is a title that I had, and am still having, a lot of fun with. It plays in a similar fashion to the first game and holds many similarities in both its look and style, but this sequel is a much more refined experience, with some interesting level designs, pleasing visuals and smoother frame-rates and animations. However, it’s voice-over work is quite laughable, bordering on the level of being cheesy and a few of its elements do present the overall feel of a AA title, or a B-movie, which I found to be a more accurate description in how it feels.

    Its story is largely meaningless, moreso if you’ve not played the first game and its characters are complete strangers if you’ve entered the story from this title; but this doesn’t detract it from being a very enjoyable game to play through. Its levels are interesting, combat is satisfying and its overall look is pleasing. It lacks in some elements of presentation, yet provides a level of gameplay that just feels like good, old-fashioned fun; something that is missing from a lot of triple-A games these days. The musical score also matches the drama of the on-screen action, producing a B-movie blockbuster that’s simply irrsistable to play through.    … Full Review »
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