Axiom Verge 2 Review (Fizzboks)
I think I enjoyed this game more than the first.
Of course, it has a different and distinct mood, and is a radical departure from the first while retaining it in some ways. It's very easy to make comparisons. I found the process of exploring, and particularly completing the game's map and finding everything, leagues more satisfying. The actual traversal was really fun for me, and even backtracking somehow didn't have as much of a bluntness to it as I am used to even in most metroidvanias in general. In the first game I know that was one of the things that had me frustrated the most, and enemies felt like hitches of uncomfortable friction making me stutter on my path. Here, the abilities given usually gave me such a step up that the feeling of added freedom was very noticeable.
In the first third or so of the game, my experience felt about average, but my enjoyment increased significantly with the introduction of more abilities; I like this.
The combat was also very fun, though really much too easy. I also feel that while the weapons I got were satisfying, unfortunately too many of them were more like variations of each other than the exotic and diverse options we had to choose from in Axiom Verge 1. Still, I really enjoyed the combat. I even more enjoyed that bosses weren't the usual boxed-in encounters, which always feels gamey and like a staple gimmick, but rather exist in the world just chilling out, and you can go past them if you want. This was a brilliant idea. I just wish I could learn some more about these interesting machinations, and also, again, these minor 'bosses' , if you can call them that, were way way too easy and short to defeat.
I really liked the new setting, but wish we could get more variety in... texture? Something felt a bit underwhelming. I think it's just not being used to the huge leap from blocky chunkiness to the smooth fine vistas of this game. I like the visuals more in Axiom Verge 2, but it's like I can feel some sort of potential to be filled, and it leaves me mildly perplexed. Some areas I really loved. There was this greenish one which with the accompanying music was a great delight to be in.
Speaking of music, it was lovely, as expected considering how the first game also had a really great soundtrack. Very pleasant and interesting, pulled me into the world very neatly.
The story and surrounding information I cannot speak too much to. I did enjoy it, but I get the different characters, groups, and locations mentioned in notes mixed up. I have a vague general understanding, but to reach for specifics or extract backed up speculations is something I'm not quite confident with. I almost wish for more to read, since I am intrigued, but there's so many perspectives that I just want to envelop deeper into it. Also, I think the interpesronal relationships in the game, like between Indra and her connection to her daughter, did not feel fleshed out. Would have been nice to talk more, have more to talk about or with.
Oh yeah and the enemy and character designs were really great. Less huge set pieces to steep in the mood of than in the first game, but everything present was really really good and I approve lol.
I would say all in all Axiom Verge 2 is awesome. The exploration in this game is pretty ace, so if there is a third entry, that standard should be kept up, and I would hope for better improved difficulty and variety in combat, while retaining the neat ideas like having bosses not be tethered into a strict encounter. I would recommend this game.