Axiom Verge 2 is the long awaited sequel to the 2015 original. It is only the second game from Thomas Happ, the lead on this indie project, and praise is already high. It is a sequel to the original in number only; in terms of narrative, it is more like a side story set in the same universe.
The game begins with the player character, Indra, flying into an abandoned base. Eventually she stumbles into an elevator, which transports her into an alternate dimension. Everything is not as it seems. This games shares a lot in common, with the original but a lot has changed too. What is different, and how can players make the most out of the beginning hours of this experience?
10 It's An Open-World Metroidvania
Unlike the first game, and other games in the Metroidvania genre, Axiom Verge 2 is kind of an open-world 2D game. There are still some screen to screen transitions into different environments and buildings, but much of the game takes place in bigger areas.
This title is not the first of its kind in this respect, but it’s still rather unique within the genre. Knowing that going in may tempt fans of both open-world games and the Metroidvania genre to check this out.
9 Melee Weapons Replace Guns
Another change between Axiom Verge 2 and the original is that there is more of an emphasis on melee combat. Indra begins the game with a pickaxe, and slowly builds her arsenal from there.
There are a few ranged-type weapons like the boomerang throughout the game, but the gun quota is almost non-existent. Enemies still have plenty of ranged firepower though, so the skill level seems to have jumped a peg or two between sequels.
8 Check Out The Accessibility Options
As mentioned above, Axiom Verge 2 is more challenging than the original because of the combat swap. However, this game balances that difference out with new accessibility options.
There is no set difficulty in the game players can choose. Instead, going into the options will reveal a damage booster that players can turn up or down for both damage received and damage given. Another recent indie game, Dodgeball Academia, has a similar way to adjust damage.
7 You Can Call Back Your Boomerang
Each weapon acquired in Axiom Verge 2 will give a little detailed description of what it is, along with some stat info. This is a lot more handy than other Metroidvania games out there; however, the game still doesn’t divulge every secret a weapon has.
For example, the boomerang can be called back at anytime. If thrown, players can run away. Hitting the assigned button again will bring it back, which is a small but handy tip to know. It’s similar in design to Kratos’ axe in the last game.
6 Conserve Energy
Axiom Verge 2 uses a sort of magic meter on some tools and for hacking. Players can keep an eye on this meter by watching the blue meter below their health bar.
One of the earliest exploration items players will get is called Gud An-Na, which can blow up some walls. This item uses a lot of energy and drains the blue meter quickly, so don’t waste it on monsters. One of the worst feelings in the world is getting to a damaged wall, only to find that Indra is out of points. Save this tool for when it matters most
5 How To Defeat The Underwater Snake
In one early section of Axiom Verge 2, players can go to some underwater ruins. Here they will find a giant snake-like creature that is impervious to damage. This is where players will acquire the Gud An-Na item.
Once players have it they can take this beast on, but not directly. The blast from the item still won’t damage it. Instead, using the Gud An-Na around loose rocks in the environment will cause them to fall onto the snake, which will damage it.
4 No Need To Mess With Enemies
Except for bosses that have ability points that make the effort worth the struggle, enemies don’t need to be trifled with. Hacking is a very important skill for Indra, and it allows her to avoid some combat scenarios.
An early ability she can use is to slow enemies down, allowing players can run past or smash then quickly. Rather than action, this game can feel like a stealth game at times, since engaging in melee combat makes it more difficult. Don’t be afraid to run away early on.
3 You Don’t Loose Progress In Death
For players that do die (which is almost inevitable), there is a ray of hope. Nothing is lost in death. Players will simply warp back to the checkpoint, but retain everything gained before death.
The only real loss is time, as players still need to retread old grounds. Still, this is much better than other alternatives, and makes the game even more accessible than the options menu does. It definitely cuts down on frustration that comes with dying.
2 Saving Tricks
There are a few tips to saving that everyone should know before starting. Axiom Verge 2 autosaves frequently, which is why nothing is ever lost in death. Going to a save point will also save the game, naturally, along with healing all meters like health.
Those might be obvious, but here’s a pro tip to keep in mind. If one is planning on quitting, do so after reaching a new checkpoint. That way, the next time the game starts up, everything beyond that point will be fresh in the mind. It will be harder to get lost this way.
1 Don’t Forget About The Compass
The compass is a very early item players will get, which may seem worthless at first. It’s always tucked away at the bottom left side of the screen, so it can be easy to forget about. However, it's incredibly useful — it points the player to nearby Urns, which usually have upgrades in them.
Getting lost is a normal part of any Metroidvania. The compass isn’t as good a guiding light like the one in Dead Space, but it is better than nothing. Don't let it go under used.