Axiom Verge Critic Reviews

It looks great, controls really well, and has a level of difficulty that makes things challenging without making them overtly frustrating. If you've ever been into this sort of action-adventure game, Axiom Verge is positively terrific.

That said Axiom Verge is a game that absolutely nails exploration/discovery and that’s an experience that people deserve to have for themselves. After three full playthroughs I can’t think of many other games that have proved to be as rewarding as this. It’s the kind of game that, just when I thought I figured it out, it would surprise me again and again.

Although it closely follows the Metroidvania blueprint, the brilliantly designed and executed Axiom Verge adds enough new and original features to make it a truly great game in its own right. An absolute must for retro fans.

The exploration loop is incredibly satisfying, and combat feels both tight and adaptable, like a complex dance where the partners both accentuate each others strengths, allowing any weak points to fade into the background.

It’s as much a living homage as it is a natural successor to Nintendo’s 2D Metroid games.

Throughout my time with Axiom Verge I was constantly excited to explore strange worlds, gain game-changing powerups, and fire off a new gun for the first time. Almost everything you pick up feels meaningful, unlike collecting overabundant missile-capacity expansions that you don’t even need. I heartily applaud Tom Happ’s first solo effort. It’s incredible that he was able to nail every component of game creation in one package.

Axiom Verge is a constant surprise to gamers. The surroundings are interesting and change often. The weapons and items are rewarded with perfect timing. It's brilliant.

At its apex, Tom Happ's brainchild unequivocally proves just how far video game development has come in such a short space of time and that you can in fact teach an old dog new tricks.

If you've never seen the appeal of these types of games, then chances are this won't change your mind. Devoted fans of the genre, however, will no doubt adore Tom Happ's opus.

This is concentrated, unfiltered, Super-Nintendo-excellence given the modern treatment, and a landmark indie title.

Sublime, creative, fun, challenging. Axiom Verge is truly a must buy for fans of classic games and contemporary challenges. The game combines elements that remind us emblematic classic master pieces and original elements like creative game mechanics and a captivating atmosphere.

Axiom Verge leverages everything you’ve come to expect from retro gaming and uses it all to create a memorable new platformer that gives even the best classic Metroidvania games a run for their money.

Axiom Verge is an outstanding homage to the metroidvania genre and one of the best independent productions so far in 2015.

This game may lean far more heavily on the Metroid homage than most, but it still manages to perfectly capture the tried-and-true gameplay elements of Nintendo’s classic while also incorporating several new ideas to let it stand out on its own, turning an homage to a retro classic into a modern classic that future titles will want to follow.

Axiom Verge is fantastic addition to any fan of the genre.

I had no idea I'd enjoy Axiom Verge so much. Whereas many modern takes on classic retro genres fall foul of style over substance, this has been built with such skill that it doesn't need to rely on our annoying fondness of the past to impress.

The colorful levels, the synth heavy soundtrack, and the varied weaponry create a feel that’s unlike anything seen today, and the boss battles are equal parts challenge and bombast.

Axiom Verge looks like a NES-game on steroids, but it is way more than that. Axiom Verge is one of the best games in its genre, thanks to its unique old-school style and tons of secrets to discover.

Precise controls, challenging enemies, fun bosses and clever level design make Axiom Verge a great and solid game. This isn’t about being retro, it’s about challenging the players in memorable ways. We want more of this.

Axiom Verge does a phenomenal job of not only paying homage to some of the greatest games of the past, but also of crafting its own identity in the process. It doesn't just pay respects to the greats. It deserves its own place alongside them.