Topic: Axiom Verge

Haha, I scored both Axiom Verge and Guacamelee 9.3/10 but it's La-Mulana still (10/10)

Axiom Verge and Guacamelee both do pretty innovative things with the Metroid formula and they're both between 18-20 hours of gameplay to complete 100% the first time. Both have a normal and a hard mode. Both have secret worlds and extra content. Both have great soundtracks.

Guacamelee has modern 2D visuals and 2p co-op, and smooth beat'em up action-gameplay.
Axiom Verge has enhanced 8bit visuals and speedrun mode, and smooth run&gun action-gameplay.

If you wanna play 2p co-op Guacamelee is obviously the way to go.
But if you look for something very Metroid-y that at least beats Metroid NES and Metroid II, then Axiom Verge.

Nah dude, that doesn't count. La Mulana is so on the Castlevania side of things, Metroid isn't even a factor.

beyond the fact that it is essentially a vastly better version of Castlevania 2 (or a retro hard/vague version of the later Castlevanias, same difference?) in terms of how the game could best be described compared to popular games in the genre, La Mulana is a gigantic love letter to the MSX, and one of its most notable games is Castlevania. And while its influences are beyond Castlevania, there are many things that remind of that series, and borderline nothing from Metroid.

In that regard, Shadow Complex is also nothing like Castlevania.

La-Mulana doesn't count but Guacameele does?
Guacamelee is even less metroidy/castlevaniy.

La-Mulana is one of the best combinations of fantasy action-adventures like Castlevania II, Zelda II, and the Wonder Boy in Monster World games, but Guacamelee feels even more like a game of its own. If I try to come up with a retro game that is similar, only River City Ransom comes a little close because of its melee combat and openworld mechanic, but it's definately not the same gameplay. However, they're all great despite being so different from each other.

Axiom Verge and La-Mulana are inspired by the 2D Metroid and 2D Castlevania games, and they succeed from audiovisuals up to gameplay and content.

Guacamelee succeeds just as much, but with modern audiovisuals, 2p co-op, and a good portion of Smash Bros.-like combat. Particularly the combination of Metroidvania and Smash Bros. is less common I think.

Well, the Guacamelee upgrades you get are color coordinated exactly the same way as Shadow Complex, and Guacamelee borderline tries to get in trouble with its blatant Metroid references (among others). I'm just saying, it has influence from the Metroid side of things, and La Mulana simply does not.

@gizmor
no but i need to get back on it because ive been busy playing hide the hot dog instead of focusing on axiom verge. shame on me...

Really, REALLY!

C'mon @ogo79, you're not supposed to tell anyone about our Vegas weekend with Sasha Grey!

what happens in vegas stays in vegas!
thats why the hot dogs got hidden but now its no secret.
is that you smokey?
hey! smokeys back here taking a s...
but dont worry i wont tell anyone else

Retail release coming in Europe and North America.

best news of the year so far!!

the package will include a poster/map, a DVD docu on the making of the game, an art booklet and of course the game itself.

Just got a message from a Dutch retailer that the physical edition has been postponed (again) to January 26th. I'm not too bothered personally since I'm already buying Odyssey this month and Doom next month

At least you're getting it. It has become evident that they're just yanking our chain here in North America.

Other than portability, is there any reason to get this on Switch over the Wii U? It's on sale on Wii U for $10, and I have a lot more space for downloads on my Wii U, so I am wondering if the Switch version offers anything this one doesn't as it relates to the game itself?

@Xyphon22 I doubt it does. I have the Wii U version and loved it. Don't feel the need to double dip. Take advantage of the sale, it's not like graphics wise the Switch can enhance it much.

@Xyphon22 Doubtful. If you don't care about portability, just nab it on Wii U.

@Spoony_Tech @Ralizah Thanks. After I posted this, I went back and checked the Switch review, and I guess the Wii U version has the map always on the Gamepad that the Switch obviously had to take away. So the Wii U version may actually be the better one. I will definitely finally take the plunge on this. Does it offer off-TV play where you just have to switch between the game and map like you do on the Switch version?

I doubt we'll ever see it. I pre-ordered through Amazon Spain last August (it was the only retailer I could find that would deliver to the UK). Since then they've sent me five emails regarding a change in release date - the latest being December 31st of this year with an expected delivery date in January 2019.

With each email received I was expecting it last October, November, December, two weeks from now... would never arrive...

Had my first proper session of this last night. Love the music and the gameplay, better than Super Metroid so far in that respect. But I'm stuck.

I got the drill and bored down into a second map area, but there's a couple of doors I can't open and I can't find any alternative routes.

Anyone able to give me as spoiler-free a clue as possible - i. e. don't tell me what to do, but maybe just tell me which part of the map the next progress point might be? (I realise this maybe tricky without seeing exactly which point I'm at, so if necessary I'll try to grab some screenshots tonight).

... yeh, so, on the assumption that there's someone out there who knows this game well, where do I go next? This is all I've explored so far:

EDIT: Solved it myself, not really sure what my problem was. It's uncanny how often a block in a game one night just disappears when you go back to it the next night.

It is a really pleasant surprise how quickly your inventory grows in this game, and how many save stations there are.