Axiom Verge 2 Final Preview – Futuristic Fiction With A Link To The Past

I thought I knew what to expect when I first launched the preview version of Axiom Verge 2. I mean, of course, this sequel introduces a brand new main character, Indra, and lets her down. in the frozen nature of Antarctica, which is about as far away as you can get from the alien world of Sudra from the previous game. But the clear Super Metroid influence evident in the original quickly resurfaced in Axiom Verge 2, as I set out to search for secrets and power-ups through a series of steel structures and underground caverns in one. heartwarming and familiar mix of enemy attacks and carefully thought-out flashbacks. .

Then I flew Indra’s personal drone through a rift in time and space and discovered another world in the world, which completely changed my view of the landscape. It may be called Axiom Verge 2, but based on the first few hours, it looks more like it could be an Axiom Verge 2 in 1.

These breach gates can be found dotted around the Axiom Verge 2 world map. Initially, they just look like small, self-contained areas that you can infiltrate, search for skill upgrades, and then leave, but within the first three hours of Axiom Verge 2, it soon became clear that each pocket of the breach is actually connected, forming a single sprawling space adjacent to the main overworld.

Stepping in and out of the breach is a bit like moving between the light and dark worlds of Zelda: A Link to the Past, in the sense that you can use one side of the division to find a path to an objective that’s otherwise. stuck in The Other. Besides the structural differences, there is also a clear contrast in the look and feel of each world to make them appear distinct, much like the lags between the 8-bit and 16-bit periods in The Messenger.

There is also a noticeable adjustment to the gameplay. As Indra in the overworld, I would perform slashing Ninja Gaiden-style attacks with a pickaxe and use a shockwave ability to open up hidden lanes in the field. Meanwhile, with his drone inside the breach, I pulled a grappling hook to force my way up out of reach platforms and through fragile walls, like a more maneuverable version of the Metroid morph ball.

Axiom Verge 2 preview screenshots

On top of all the back and forth between parallel dimensions, Axiom Verge 2 seems determined to play around with some of the other typical conventions of the Metroidvania genre. For example, the handful of boss fights I encountered seemed almost entirely optional. I was able to completely avoid missile attacks from a huge flying beast and electricity zaps from an oversized eel, and ignore them altogether as I pursued my little fellow. It struck me as unusual for a game like this, and may further divide die-hard retro gaming fans who would rather be trapped in a fenced-in arena and forced to take down one of these monsters, but I appreciate that. ‘Axiom Verge 2 doesn’t seem to want to erect frustrating obstacles just to hinder your progress. Of course, I still went back and killed them in order to collect the precious skill buffs they left behind – and also because I’m a complete monster.

There appears to have been a conscious effort on the part of the developer to make Axiom Verge 2 easier to navigate than the original game. Different biomes on the world map appear more distinct, and a compass collected earlier points the direction of story objectives and secrets hidden nearby.

Using infect powers to hack enemies and items also brings an interesting twist to Axiom Verge 2’s combat; giving Indra the ability to slow down the movement speed of enemy scorpions or turn bipedal robots into allies. How important hacking becomes to the core Axiom Verge 2 experience remains to be seen, but there was a surprise bonus I received right at the end of my practice that just might have a significant impact. . I’m definitely not going to spoil it here, but let’s just say it could have a transformative influence on exploration and I’m extremely excited to see where that leads.

I’m also curious as to why parts of the world map seem unstable, like the breach threatens to invade the real world – and given that I only played the first three hours of what is apparently a game. by three o’clock I have no doubt that there are still plenty of secrets to be discovered in what is shaping up to be another gripping Metroidvania.