Indie games often take inspiration from the past and sometimes it is done poorly. Other times however, the experience is nothing short of amazing. Axiom Verge falls into the latter category. Clearly inspired by a classic Nintendo series, the game has now come to the Wii U. Axiom verge wears its inspiration on its sleeve but at the same time puts its own spin on everything. It is a Metroidvania that takes the genre back to its roots to explore why the genre is so beloved while also bringing new ideas.
You start off alone on a hostile alien world with only vague hints of what to do at first. You gather weapons and find power-ups like in many games, but the weapons serve multiple purposes. While some weapons and items are required for solving puzzles and progressing, you will soon find inventive ways to use the items to progress and attack enemies. Speaking of enemies, Axiom Verge has some of the best enemy design in an indie game in a long time. The common ones are actually are varied and unique, while the bosses stand out above all others and have real character to them. The boss battles are difficult and you will die, but the fun is in finding the best method of attack to defeat your foes. Like I said, you will die several times but its all part of the game.
The music in this game is nothing short of incredible. From the intro music to the boss battle themes, Axiom Verge is an audio masterpiece. Do not be surprised if you end up going back to certain areas just to listen to the music several times in a row. The audio in general including the sound effects are also well done and this just feels more complete of a game than many AAA games.
A big part of the fun is finding new ways to explore areas and progress and I guarantee you that one item in particular will stand out above all others. It will certainly help you find a new love of glitches. The other weapons and items all have various uses as mentioned above. For example, the drill is used to progress through certain areas but is also a good weapon in skilled players’ hands.
The Wii U gamepad is great for fast inventory changes and having a clear map handy. Its a small thing but makes all the difference. Plus it is just as fun to play on the gamepad as it is on the TV.
Do I think you should buy this game? Oh definitely yes. This is a must play for any Nintendo fan out there!