Axiom Verge is a 2D Platform Adventure game for PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, XBONE, Switch and PC, which was developed and published by Thomas Happ Games, while the physical release was distributed by Bad Land Games.
Yes it's another indie games titles for the modern game consoles and PCs, so I'm a huge fan of the Metroidvania type of games, which was popularised by the likes of 90's gaming classics such as Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night are the biggest pioneers of the video game genres. The success of the Metroidvania genres has spread with many of the similar games such as Shantae, Cave Story, and Shadow Complex. There's one of the game that caught my attention was Axiom Verge which borrows the similar elements from the classic Metroid series. I was really surprised with the dark Sci-Fi presentation, unique level designs, amazing exploration and epic 2D gameplay with great boss battles and cool upgrades which made the game quite fun to play. It is perfect for the fan of the genre should be very surprised to see how this game turns out to be really amazing for the classic 8-bit style game.
So without go further do, lets start the review.
Presentation
The game takes place in New Mexico, 2003. The story starts out the scientist named Trace, who works at the laboratory, began to start the experiment until he was knocked out by exploding building due to faulty valve. After the accidental incident, he was awoken in the alien world of Sudra where he was assisted by the war-machine named Elsenova had given him quest to stop the mad scientist named Athetos, who destroyed the Sudrans long ago, and restore the power back to Elsenova.
The story in the game seems to be quite basic for the 8-bit style type of game. It has well detailed imagery with nicely made 8-bit sprites for the cutscene design and quite straighforward story writing for the part of the story dialogue in the game which makes easier to describe what's going on in the story that involves accidental experiment that causes the main protagonist woken up in wrong dimension which made the whole overall presentation keeps ongoing progress. I really liked the setting of the dark Sci-Fi themes on the level concepts which pretty reminds me of classic Metroid series does adds up to the 8-bit nostalgia of the game. The game has cool looking enemies sprites in each areas, while the main boss in the game are also looked quite amazing for it's design. The main protagonist is kinda look like Hugh Jackman with large wacky hair and long sideburns which definitely suits him well in the game. I finding this character quite interesting for his concepts and personality which adds up the positively of the character in the game.
Overall, it has straightforward story, dark Sci-Fi settings, and impressive characters.
Gameplay
This game features single-player campaign and speedrun mode. You take control of Trace who been woken up in high-tech area, so you are focusing on the action and exploration of the each areas that features over 60 items and power-ups to collect and defeat many boss as can.
Trace starts off with basic weapon called "Axiom Disruptor" which fires the long range shot. You can obtain more weapons in each areas such as "Nova" which fires large projectile, while firing again causes it to detonate and the "Kilver" that fires the short-range burst of electricity. There are some of the cool weapons that are very easier to kill enemies faster such as "Voranj" that shoots large energy bolts, the "Lighting Gun" that shoots strong electric on nearest target, the "Reflector" that shoots projectiles reflect off the walls, the "Multi-Disruptor" that fires 3-way projectiles at a time and there are plenty of more awesome weapons that allows player to easily kill many of the enemies which works really well in the game. The upgrades are used for improving character's tools and abilities which allows player to perform useful thing in the game such as "Field Disruptor" that allows player to jump higher, while the "Grapple" that allows you to swing from the rocks it latches onto, the "Lab Coat" that lets you teleport across against the wall, while "Trenchcoat" are slightly better than the "Lab Coat" that you can able to teleport in any direction. There are couple of great upgrades such as "Laser Drill" which helps the player breaking the rock objects, the "Remote Drone" which lets player fire to launch the drone, so it is useful to access the smaller paths of the levels. Using the "Address Disruptor" or "Address Bomb" which allows to de-corrupt the weaker blocks to open up the new area of the game. You can also improve the character's power-ups by collecting enough nodes which increases the health bar, size and range of weapon projectiles, and the weapon and item damage that makes the player even stronger.
Controlling Trace is actually pretty outstanding for the player's movement. Holding on the lock-on button allows you to shoot in any direction while standing still is quite responsive in which is easier to keep the player still without making any of movement. I really liked some of the stunning upgrades like "Remote Drone" and "Grapple" which heavily borrows the similar elements from the NES game such as Bionic Commando and Blaster Master. The weapons in the game are quite impressive with greater use of damage and range which adds up variety of the game. Despite the outstanding controls for combat gameplay and character's movements, the exploration in whole levels are absolutely fantastic which keeps me playing the game due to finding cool secrets, collecting notes, and discovering new areas that offers positively for the Metroidvania type of game. You can also use the map screen to know where you on and where you heading to visit which helps the player to navigate whereabouts in the levels. I got to admit the boss battles are quite fun to play, but quite frustrating at the same times that adds up the challenge of the game which is excellent. Sometimes the problem in the game was the player's weaker health points in which most of the enemies in the game can easily give heavier projectiles damage to the player that can cause a frustration for player in the game, so you need to be really careful when playing this game in each areas. You can also go for the speedrun mode which the players have to beat the speedrun timing by completing the whole game in short time as possible which is quite good for walkthrough challenge to see which are the best players can able to beat the time record.
Overall, it has outstanding controls, great combat gameplay and stunning use of exploration.
Graphics
The whole graphics in the game are fantastic regarding the level design and 8-bit sprites. The levels in the game are somewhat inspired by Metroid series, which has really great use of the particles such as bubbles and rocks objects. It has similar textures and backgrounds of the levels are quite detailed and colorful for the 8-bit styled game. The animation are pretty damn impressive on the character's sprites for most part without making it looked too clunky and clumsy. I also liked the use of the scaling effects during the boss battles where the camera starts zooms in and out at same time which is kinda cool.
Overall, it has fantastic level design, cool textures and backgrounds and impressive character's sprites.
Music and Sounds
Thomas Happ made a catchy original soundtrack in mixed style between the 8-bit and 80's synth music that fits well for the game's atmosphere because it keeps you in action while playing this game that adds up the excitement of the players. I also liked the use of the 8-bit sound effects for gun shooting, background noise and enemy's roar effects are also sounds really good in the game. This is by far one of the best music and sounds in gaming that does the right thing for the indie 8-bit games.
Overall, it has catchy soundtrack and excellent sound effects.
Special Features
This game features speedrun mode, over 60 items and power-ups to collect, and the special Multiverse Edition will include a physical copy of the game, a deluxe booklet with developer commentary and art, a double-sided poster, and a making-of documentary on DVD.
Overall, its a worthy special features for game's collectors.
Advantages
Simple story
Dark Sci-Fi themes
Outstanding gameplay
Great exploration
Fun boss battles
Fantastic graphics
Catchy Soundtrack
Excellent sound effects
Disadvantages
Player's weak health
Frustrating difficulty
Final Verdict
Presentation 9/10 - straightforward story, dark Sci-Fi settings, and impressive characters.
Gameplay 9/10 - outstanding controls, great combat gameplay and stunning use of exploration.
Graphics 9/10 - fantastic level design, cool textures and backgrounds and impressive character's sprites.
Music and Sounds 9/10 - catchy soundtrack and excellent sound effects.
Special Features 9/10 - worthy special features for game's collectors.
Overall 9/10 - Axiom Verge is by far the most fascinating 2D indie-game that the fans of the Metroidvania genres will able to satisfy this amazing titles. Having a simple presentation, outstanding gameplay, great exploration and fantastic graphics does adds up with the nostalgia of the retro gaming from the past and it is worth for picking this game up for the full price.
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