Axiom Verge Reviews

Axiom Verge is ranked in the 93rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.7 / 10.0
Mar 30, 2015

Nostalgia is similarly addictive, but Verge's confidence sees it through the challenge of invoking Metroid better than just about anyone who's tried before it. It copies more than aesthetic and ambiguous notions about variety, and the specificity is what matters. It's not a perfect match, and the absence of a powerful lead leaves an indelible mark on the experience.

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8.8 / 10.0
Apr 15, 2015

Solo developer Thomas Happ definitely achieved what he set out to do, create a retro, Metroid-inspired game that would emphasize exploration above most else. I can't say that his Axiom Verge game has made me rethink my stance on retro/retro-inspired games or platformers, but I had more fun than I thought was possible with this type of game. I can only imagine the enthusiasm a platforming fan (or really, anyone with slightly warmer feelings than I toward the genre) would have running through Sudra.

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8.8 / 10.0
Sep 12, 2016

Finally arriving on the Wii U, Axiom Verge still packs a mighty punch long after its initial release.

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9 / 10
Oct 12, 2017

If you have never played a Metroid game before then Axiom Verge is a great way to get your feet wet and see what the fuss is about. Even if you are a veteran of the series it will most certainly satisfy that nostalgic crave that is so fondly remembered. As a game that stands on its own, it’s an incredible effort by a one-man army that had me glued to the screen for hours on end. Everything works so effortlessly in sync, and is topped with a layer of polish that can only ever be found with tons of loving hard work, care and attention. With plenty of hours of gameplay, neat ideas and lots to explore Axiom Verge is a must-have title for your Nintendo Switch.

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4.5 / 5.0
Mar 31, 2015

I have been waiting, and craving a game like Axiom Verge and it delivers in almost every way.

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Renan Fontes
Top Critic
9 / 10
Feb 9, 2018

Challenging, creative, and endlessly endearing, Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition is the best take on the Metroidvania genre in years.

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9 / 10.0
Dec 26, 2017

Axiom Verge is a recommended purchase for fans of the genre — and every hardcore gamer looking for a fix.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 5, 2017

Regardless of small blemishes, Axiom Verge is one of the best Metroid-esque games I've played outside of Samus' orbit. It's the rare game that seems to understand exactly what made that series so spectacular, using that understanding to craft original power-ups and concepts that make this more than just a hollow Metroid rip-off.

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Apr 6, 2015

Axiom Verge is familiar, homely, and far too simple, but those turn out to be its greatest qualities. This homage to 2D adventures is smartly and carefully done.

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Digitally Downloaded
Hamza A.
Top Critic
May 21, 2015

That said, Axiom Verge is a near-flawless indie game that is sure bound to entertain you with its wide array of creative weapons and deep exploration that, at the end of which, rewards you handsomely. You bet I'll be re-visiting this game for many, many years to come.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 9, 2015

Painted with a mostly authentic blend of 8- and 16-bit with a few modern touches here and there, Axiom Verge is the perfect game for those who can't get enough of the genre.

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9 / 10
Apr 11, 2015

Simply put, if you have any interest in the Metroidvania genre, then you owe it to yourself to pick up Axiom Verge and play the hell out of it, complete it, wait for the Vita release and do so all over again.

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9 / 10
Apr 8, 2015

From the chilling ambience of the locales to the techno urgency of the boss battles; each track on the soundtrack is a treat for your ears and absorbs you into the game's twisted world

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9 / 10.0
Apr 9, 2015

Axiom Verge is a glorious throwback to the 2D days, but it doesn't forget that we're playing in a very different age of interactive entertainment. Those subtle refinements and features that enhance the playability are greatly appreciated. Unlocking a weapon or ability that compels you to return to earlier explored areas to find previously inaccessible power-ups is just plain addictive, and the overall balance and diversity is top-notch.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2016

Axiom Verge is otherwise essentially flawless and it's one of my favorite indie games. This Wii U version is arguably the best one, too, so even if you've played it before it may very well be worth the double dip. And man, what's up with that post-credits scene?!

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9 / 10.0
Apr 19, 2016

Axiom Verge is an interesting tribute to the classics of video games that will, without a doubt, stand among those greats as a classic itself.

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4.5 / 5.0
Oct 5, 2017

Axiom Verge was already one of the best Metroid-style games in years and it lands on the Switch like it belongs there.

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9 / 10
Mar 30, 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.

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9 / 10
Mar 31, 2015

Without a doubt, Axiom Verge is one of the most complete games I have played in a long time. Not only was it created entirely by Tom Happ, but the passion he has for the game clearly has shined through the final product. Surprisingly the game has an intriguing narrative, complete with plenty of hidden notes and messages; some will even require translating. The game even contains a Speedrun option on the main menu, eliminating the dialogue and cutscenes, and standardizing some of the randomized elements in the game. Tom has even added a checkpoint hud, allowing you to keep track of your pace through each boss. I may have only found 66% of the items, and uncovered 87% of the map, but that hasn't stopped me from instantly hopping back into the game for a second run. As far as "Metroidvania" games go, Axiom Verge sits at the top of my personal favorite list.

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9 / 10
Oct 24, 2016

Axiom Verge goes beyond the initial impression of being a tribute to the Metroid series and quickly strikes the player as being a thoroughly developed, impeccably-designed exploration game, with an enormous amount of content to discover and a huge variety of weapons, upgrades and power-ups.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review