Axiom Verge 2 Review (Scarpa)
I have been withholding a review until finishing both this game and the first one, and I've got to say: if the first one was a phenomenal game, this one is on another level. Let me get this disclaimer out of the way first: if you loved axiom verge 1 and come to this game with the expectation of more of the same, you will be sorely disappointed. These two are very different games, which to me helps both establish their own identity and find their own strengths.
I loved the exploration focus. Almost everything in the game is geared towards encouraging and helping exploration, and while it's easy to get lost when you're not paying attention, it is hard to stay lost once you start thinking about where you are and where you're going. I can only think of two occasions on which I was stumped during regular play, and I eventually figured them out on my own. The only occasion I needed guides was after finishing the game, for some of the more obscure collectibles (some of which are admittedly bullshit).
I especially appreciate the save point teleportation; after 100%ing this game I went back to axiom verge to try and do the same, and it's not happening. The only complaint I have is how long it takes for your character to spawn when you teleport. I started playing mostly as the drone because it doesn't have a getting off the ground animation after the already pretty lengthy particle tornado spawn animation. An option to skip the animation and get right back into playing would not be amiss.
I did encounter some minor bugs, but they're all menu stuff so it doesn't really affect the gameplay, which is quite polished. The enemy AI is quite smart and the flying ones can be particularly annoying due to the limited range of your attacks, and the limited angles of your only ranged attack, but the combat isn't really the focus of this game so I am more than happy to give it a pass, especially considering there are no mandatory fights in this game. The two boss fights I can think of that you can't just go around or escape literally have respawn stations inside the room you are doing the fighting in.
The game is committed to not let anything get in the way of the story and the exploration. If you're here for combat action, it probably won't be for you, but if you're here for exploratory platforming in a gorgeously presented world, I can't recommend this game enough!