LogFAQs > #972026092

Axiom Verge 2 (PS5)

I had zero expectations going into this, because I can't remember a thing about the original Axiom Verge except thinking it was just "fine", and this one seems to have a mixed reception even among people who liked the first one. Then I started playing and it all started coming back to me -- the unlikable protag, the weird sci-fi setting, getting ordered around by giant stone statue heads... yep, this is Axiom Verge all right.

Anyway, this game kicks ass. That said, it's also weird and I can understand why some people wouldn't like it. Instead of focusing on platforming or combat, AV2 is more about throwing you into a weird alien world and saying, "okay, explore and figure shit out". The backstory is pretty convoluted with a lot of names and events to keep straight, but the actual story does quite a lot and is pretty clever despite how minimal it is.

Also I think the OST is absolutely great, especially the moodier pieces like Monsoon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcUZ_l7_tK4

Y'know, there was a whole topic on B8 a while ago about this game looking shitty and now that I've played it, it just... doesn't? Like it's not stunningly beautiful but it looks like a pretty nice looking SNES game. The areas do tend to be fairly monochrome but at least it gives them all their own identity. I'll take it any day over something like Metroid Dread where most areas were identical.