Axiom Verge Reviews

Axiom Verge is ranked in the 93rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
IGN
Top Critic
7.9 / 10.0
Mar 30, 2015

Axiom Verge isn't a perfect homage to Metroid, but we still enjoyed our time in this strange, familiar world.

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Andy Kelly
Top Critic
85 / 100
May 13, 2015

A massive, challenging retro-flavoured shooter that takes the Metroid formula and runs with it. Old school, but with a modern edge.

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Recommended
Mar 29, 2015

It's just a shame that given the obvious talent and passion involved, it doesn't really have much of its own to add to the Metroidvania template. As charmed and delighted as I often was with its smartly paced escalation, its perpetually teasing construction, I kept waiting for some new element to appear, a eureka moment that either hadn't been thought of in 1986, or that could only be done today. It never quite happens. Axiom Verge seems content to be a homage, rather than a revival or reinvention. That's fine, since there's already plenty to justify your interest, but it feels like Happ has more to contribute than he's showing here.

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7 / 10
Apr 21, 2016

It spends too much time recreating the genius of Metroid rather than adding to it, but this is still one of the best examples of the genre in recent years.

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9.3 / 10.0
Mar 30, 2015

It draws you in with nostalgia and slaps you with innovation when you think you know what's next

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7 / 10.0
Apr 1, 2015

Axiom Verge works moment to moment but feels less successful as a whole

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GameSpot
Top Critic
8 / 10
Mar 29, 2015

Axiom Verge is an excellent example of inspired game design that takes old ideas and improves upon them, leaving a mark that won't soon be forgotten.

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Kotaku
Top Critic
Yes
Mar 30, 2015

Do you like hunting for a thing to unlock a door so you can find another thing to unlock another door? Then this is your game.

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Mar 29, 2015

The ways that Axiom Verge resembles Metroid help set up and drive home the ways that Axiom Verge is most definitely not Metroid.

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USgamer
Top Critic
Mar 29, 2015

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.

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7.5 / 10.0
Oct 11, 2017

Axiom Verge works great as a portable game, and while it's been available before on the Vita, I feel like the Switch is the best possible platform since it looks spectacular in handheld mode and works beautifully as a sit-down, console experience. Even if you've played another version, this is still a fun, fast-paced exploration game that holds up quite well and is certainly worth your time.

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7.5 / 10.0
Mar 30, 2015

Axiom Verge is a fun, challenging game. While some aspects of the narrative -- particularly its protagonist -- have rough edges to them, it remains intriguing and mysterious through to its climax. It looks and sounds great, and offers a diversity of weapons rarely seen in games of its type. Easy to get lost in, its sizeable world has a density to match, with hidden rooms and collectibles only available through creative application of acquired abilities. And while the basic gameplay will likely be very familiar, there are a fair few fresh touches which should pleasantly surprise players.

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Mar 29, 2015

The level of execution and polish in Axiom Verge makes it seem as though it came from a well-established studio, let alone a single person. There's a confidence in the design that channels the best parts of successful Metroidvania games.

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7.8 / 10.0
Apr 1, 2015

Axiom Verge isn't the best in its class, but it takes a familiar structure and adds a tool belt loaded with interesting weapons and gadgets. It's a worthwhile adventure that entices you to unearth its secrets and rewards you for doing so.

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9 / 10
Apr 6, 2015

Axiom Verge starts off as an homage to classic 8-bit games like Metroid, but grows into a fantastic game in its own right.

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VG247
Top Critic
Apr 21, 2016

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.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 9, 2018

From the art style to the way it plays, this game is exactly what the screenshots and videos make it look like, but it's a very well made example. The combat is fast and, while not as precise as many will be used to, makes sense to add difficulty to the game.

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Apr 19, 2016

Axiom Verge is a love letter to another time. While games from that era don't impress in terms of visuals any longer, there's still fun to be found in the exploration and discovery facets of this intricate, well-formed world. Axiom Verge is one of the purest forms of Metroidvania titles that we've seen in recent years.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 30, 2015

Axiom Verge may not be much more than an homage to Metroid, but it's a very good homage.

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Mar 30, 2015

Axiom Verge is a love letter to another time. While games from that era don't impress in terms of visuals any longer, there's still fun to be found in the exploration and discovery facets of this intricate, well-formed world. Axiom Verge is one of the purest forms of Metroidvania titles that we've seen in recent years.

Read full review