Axiom Verge

1. TheGameMaster

   Apr 20, 2015

   10

   Axiom Verge was a treat to play and with almost 30 hours invested into it I still have more weapons, areas and unlockables to uncover. TheAxiom Verge was a treat to play and with almost 30 hours invested into it I still have more weapons, areas and unlockables to uncover. The game from the beginning has a very noticeable Metroid meets Contra in the belly of Red Falcon sort of feel and I have to say that I love it. One thing right off the bat that this game gets right is the basic controls. Firing your weapon in all directions felt just as smooth as an NES or SNES side scrollers without that weightiness present in most games. Jumping and firing on enemies with the sound effects and enemy explosions felt satisfying. A very easy game to pick up and immediately start playing.
   
   The story is best described as a complex science fiction tale where a scientist named Trace supposedly dies in a lab explosion only to awaken unharmed in an alien world. Armed with a biomechanical gun and tasked by a female voice in his mind, Trace runs out into this mysterious world searching for answers while trying not get killed in the process.
   
   The game is filled with weapons, health and weapons upgrades, unique enemies, boss battles and of course secret areas. Each world is interconnected by portals or breaches in structures where you must fight enemies and find that specific upgrade to continue on.
   
   One of my favorite upgrades might have to be the mechanical drone. This little laser armed critter can get to hard to reach areas or tunnels all the while Trace is protected under a barrier shield. A very useful way to clear the path of enemies in tight situations. A later upgrade even allows you to increase the launch distance of the drone as well as allow you to teleport to its location making traversing areas quicker. The laser drill attachment also acquired near the begin is also a beautiful tool for passing through rocky areas and enemies.
   
   The music feels like a love letter to the chiptune styles of the NES and SNES and do I love the design choice. The constant loop does bring back nostalgic feelings, however, I feel the sound was spot on for the atmosphere and style of the game.
   
   Of course, what appears to be pretty straight forward good vs evil side scrolling shooter evolves into an existential drama of dark events and discovery of who you really are – as well as the motives of your enemy and allies. It is certainly complex and will get you pondering afterwards – however, there are quite a few hidden documents and notes that you can uncover and translate to find out what has been transpiring. I will not lie that some of it can be confusing, however, its complexity and winding nature kept me piqued. Whether a gamer loves it or hates it will be one’s story telling preferences methinks.
   
   If there were any issues, I would say that the dashing teleporting mechanic which later serves as a quick dash to break through walls or access alternate paths or double jump can be a little hard to master when trying to access overhead areas. I found it was best used in tandem with a grappling hook accessory. In addition, the weapon wheel used to select your full arsenal in game vs. during a pause can be a little difficult to direct especially as you gain more weapons – however, none of these were deal breakers.
   
   Also, anyone looking for someone to hold your hand, this is most likely not the game for you. Although you get save points in each map, there is no regenerative health (you have to earn it) and only one life. There are no glowing indicators telling you exactly where to go (although colors exist on the map for potentially red boss rooms, light blue save rooms, or areas of importance) and you cannot teleport between worlds. You have to trek it out on foot or with your upgrades. However, there are some hidden drops and one fast mode of travel in a specific area if a gamer discovers it. In addition, sometimes you will get trapped in a world with no option other than to go deeper into it. To me, it is my favorite environmental choice – forcing you to explore the rich environments, only to find another powerup to access other areas as well as allow you to finally backtrack to the previous worlds.
   
   As for the supposed “glitches” that appear on screen (another throwback to the NES days), these are actually intentional. A later upgrade called the Address Disruptor allows you to manipulate not only these glitchy environments to open up new areas but also change the attack patterns and forms of your enemies - sometimes even allowing them to spawn energy to refill your health.
   
   All of this (the game, soundtrack and story) developed by one man over a span of 5 years is astonishing in my opinion and shows how an indie game or any game can be done well with a great attention to detail and love for the genre. I only think what Tom Happ could do with a large team and bigger budget. If you have a PS4, I think it is a no brainer to get it, just be aware of what you are getting into.… Expand

   • 7 of 9 users found this helpful
2. MudMonger

   Jul 4, 2016

   10

   Quite possibly my favorite game in the last year. Played front to back and barely put it down. Could not wait to get off work to play thisQuite possibly my favorite game in the last year. Played front to back and barely put it down. Could not wait to get off work to play this again. well done.… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
4. Geekman

   Jul 16, 2015

   10

   It's a great game that fills the 5 year gap since the last Metroid released. It's to Metroid what Shovel Knight was to Megaman, meaning thereIt's a great game that fills the 5 year gap since the last Metroid released. It's to Metroid what Shovel Knight was to Megaman, meaning there are lots of similarities, but it still feels like its own thing. The world of Axiom Verge, in my opinion is a lot more interesting than that of the original Metroid, and I feel the game in general is far superior to it;s NES inspiration. You'll get lost a lot, but that's kind of the charm to Metroid games. Finding out what you need to do and what you need to have to do it. It's very satisfying. The protagonist isn't the most interesting, but frankly, it doesn't matter too much in a game like this.… Expand

   • 1 of 3 users found this helpful
5. GreenMachineG

   Jan 1, 2016

   8

   Axiom Verge teleports you back to the prime of Metroid-Vania platforming. If you loved Metroid or Castlevania as a kid then you MUST play thisAxiom Verge teleports you back to the prime of Metroid-Vania platforming. If you loved Metroid or Castlevania as a kid then you MUST play this game. The retro aesthetic and gameplay feel exactly like a game in those veins. I give a salute to the creator for matching up with how the old games felt and played, and the additions made in this game are tons of fun! Definitely a game worth giving a shot! I will however say that in the modern age of gaming that games such as these are easily overtaken by bigger games, and if you are a modern gamer exclusively who only plays big name titles, then I would skip this as the old school gameplay will probably bore you, which is a shame.
   
   8.0/10… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. DoG2000

   Apr 6, 2015

   8

   Remember the NES? Take equal parts Bionic Commando, Metroid, Kid Icarus and Castlevania, put them in a blender and add a couple dashes ofRemember the NES? Take equal parts Bionic Commando, Metroid, Kid Icarus and Castlevania, put them in a blender and add a couple dashes of awesome, and you have Axiom Verge. It's like playing Metroid for the first time. (One of my favorite nostalgic games of all time) .......getting tired.....NO!! not until I find another power up!… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
7. miguevindiano

   Sep 17, 2021

   7

   This game has a lot of potential. It's fun but there are some negative points like the quantity of guns when you actually need like four, theThis game has a lot of potential. It's fun but there are some negative points like the quantity of guns when you actually need like four, the enemies thar are too easy once you learn how to play and the progress of searching objects in the map. Obviously, it's not a bad game, but I want to see Tom Happ getting better so we can get an exceptional game.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. True_Reclaimer

   Apr 8, 2015

   0

   -0 to balance all the 10s- Has the worst parts of the original NES Metroid, none of the modern advancements of Super Metroid, Fusion, or Zero-0 to balance all the 10s- Has the worst parts of the original NES Metroid, none of the modern advancements of Super Metroid, Fusion, or Zero Mission. Controls are clunky (shouldve been twin stick shooting option), map is horrible (no zoom, no waypoints, no treasure indicator), no dashing/running and no warp rooms makes travel incredibly painful and slow. Music is a boring and repetitive mix between chiptune, ambient, and weird middle eastern "allu akbar" type vocals, thankfully I have Spotify. Theres a lot of weapons, however none of them are chargeable and most are useless. The tool upgrades are pretty bad too (no double jump but instead an awkward short teleport thing keyed to the control stick, no space jump even though theres a "space jump" upgrade that increases height by 1 pixel.) The boss battles are very boring and can either be hamrushed or cheap shotted very quickly, and the later battles can be skipped altogether, being rewarded for laziness with secret trophies. The plot is terrible and is told mainly through hidden notes (most of which need to be translated). The glitches are pretty bad even after several patches, and Ive also had issues getting certain trophies to pop. Overall one of the most overrated metroid-esque sidescrollers, and unless you were a huge mega fanboy of NES but hated Super Nintendo and everything after, I highly recommend passing on this or at least wait till it's PS+ Free. Final Review - 4/10… Expand

   • 11 of 44 users found this helpful

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