If you were a fan of Dan Fornace's Smash-like 2D fighter Rivals of Aether, you might want to keep an eye out for Aether Studios' next project Rivals 2. It's a 3D-style sequel to the original game and is currently targeting a 2024 release. At the moment, no systems have been confirmed, but the aim is to release it on as many platforms as possible.
While competitive play will be the main focus during development, the team says it's laying the foundations to create an "amazing single player" experience. As for the mechanics, the second game will be taking inspiration from other platform fighters by introducing shields, grabs and ledges. Many of the same mechanics will also be returning. You can learn more on the official Rivals 2 FAQ page.
That's not all, though. In the lead-up to this big reveal, Aether Studios also announced a new rogue-lite turn-based game called Dungeons of Aether. It's set in the same universe and will see players control of four new heroes as they uncover the mysteries of the Julesvale Caverns or take grueling challenge dungeons. Here's a look:
This game will be coming to Steam on 25th October 2022, but apart from that, no other platforms have been announced. Do you like the look of these upcoming games? Would you be interested in Switch releases? Tell us in the comments section.
Comments 35
I loved everything about both of the titles! I am really eager to see what cross over characters will enter in this sequel to Rivals of Aether! The game itself looks pretty tight, and I think we might have two new winners to add to this developer's list. And the soundtrack just gets you pumped to play the new games too.
If Smash Bros was a hit song, this would be a really good chord-for-chord cover of that song.
Personally, unless they change it up, covers just make me want to hear the original.
Daaaaang, this looks CLEAN! The original pixel art was super charming, and this really has converted that feeling splendidly to 3D. The models look good, the effects are vibrant, and the combat looks smooth as butter too. This is so cool, I can’t wait!
i know they have reasons for making it more similar to smash, but not having the walljump recovery as main/parry as the main "guard" is pretty lame
also not a huge fan (although i at least get it) of the "unique and cool pixel style gets a sequel in 3D" that keeps happening (HLD, ROR, RAE)
@ChromaticDracula may I suggest the first game
@Anti-Matter just wondering, have you played rivals of aether?
@LiNeR
I have Never and will never want to play any Smash Bros style games.
I never like the gameplay style from Smash Bros.
@Anti-Matter thats fine. maybe just dont hate on a game that your not in the target audience for.
I have Rivals of Aether on Steam and it's ok, nothing special despite the praise it gets (my opinion) but that said it did a decent job on what it set out to do therefore I'll keep an eye on these.
@LiNeR
I felt frustrated to wait for the games that i'm looking for when the upcoming games I found recently are not the games i'm looking for.
And I found the developers keep making Smash Bros clones all the time just to please the majority fans but never want to give some chance for the not so popular things (but with hidden gems quality) to get same treatment and can be loved equally as the popular things.
I felt the unfair treatment in video gaming and it made me felt irritated.
@Platinum-Bucket Yeh, clean was the word that came to my mind too.
Not sure how interested I am in the games currently, but both look worth keeping an eye on.
@Anti-Matter You could just start making the game you want to see yourself. You already have your own artwork, nothing stopping you from learning how to create games.
@Anti-Matter are, people not allowed to make platform fighters to you? smash may have popularized the genre but they dont own it, calling any attempt as just a "smash clone" is just dismissive and stops the genre from growing outside its bubble
@Anti-Matter Its not a copy and paste, I can promise you that. And if your somehow mad at the devs because its not the game you want? I don't know how thats there fault.
Those models looked really good, When they first said they were doing a 3d one, I was iffy about it, but let me tell you all my doubts are just washed away, it looks soo good! I never got the first game, but count me in for part 2!
@Daniel36 ...Only if it were that easy that is
Hell yeahh! This looks so refreshing. Day one from me.
Release is still far away, but yeah cant wait!
Removed - flaming/arguing; user is banned
@Mario_Stuff Well, it kinda is. To get started that is... Blender is free, Unreal Engine is free, your imagination is free, YouTube tutorials are free, all it takes is a boatload of time, which I assume Anti-Matter has since the games he wants to play don't exist.
I’ve never played the original but heard people rave about it, 2 looks very impressive so I might give it a go. Dungeons looks really nice too, good to see pixel art with an art style, amazing animation work too! The level of quality displayed in both these trailers has me very interested for more!
Guess this would be a good time to get last year's limited run release of the old one before the price goes crazy. Looks good can't wait!
This comment section is a great read. Gave me a laugh
This looks really good
I adore Rivals 1, one of my favorite games of all time. This game looks fantastic as well but I’m worried the addition of grabs, shields, and ledges is going to remove part of the offense-first playstyle that made me fall in love with Rivals in the first place. Hopefully Aether Studios can prove me wrong.
@Daniel36 Heck im a artist as well and I use Krita a free software for 2D visuals, used the free software pxtone for chiptune music and sfx, and Godot as my free game engine of choice. Just now im learning 3D with Blender like you mentioned, teaching myself through Youtube tutorials, reddit, etc.
Its 100% easier to get started now a days. Way more free access to tools. Only requirement is time.
@MH4 Yeah thats my main gripe as well. Feel like its what made Aether 1 so unique and so different from traditional smash.
@Ardisan Thankfully it looks like the elemental/stage factors are being carried over (the trailer showed Zetterburn’s fire and Wrastor’s aerial strong moves/gale), and the FAQ on Rivals 2 showed a few new mechanics (such as special move options for get-ups and pummels). So the game is still going to be unique, just not in the way I’d personally like it to be LOL
I have no doubt it’ll be fantastic, but I’ll probably just keep playing the first game more due to the core mechanics being more my style.
Not into smash fighters but this is really impressive. That animation is slick!!
Hopefully there is still the character creator in the second one although I can see it being more challenging since it will be 3d. Nothing can top playing as totally accurate cloud up against Ronald Mcdonald.
A good single player is all I ask. Sucks it’s two years out though.
@AG_Awesome I know. But I think it will be all worth it, I mean dang those models are clean.
I still prefer the pixel art aesthetic of the original but hot damn does this look great. Definitely makes me want to pick up the original on the eShop in preparation (I'm a big fan of the bubble frog, he looks really cool and zen. Also reminds me of Greninja in a way).
Would be nice if they'd get with the times and put items in the game. Or at least port over the custom character/level feature the first one has. Unlike alot of boring pros, I like a little luck in my fighting games, brings unexpected excitement n fun for me.
Rivals 2 looks pretty tho with the 3d graphics
@Anti-Matter
Not everybody wants to make a kids game, not trying to be harsh, just telling the truth.
Honestly was expecting more of a "NES-to-SNES" level of improvements for the sequel before seeing the bigger jump to 3D. Namely due to its small stature in the community when compared to the titans.
Looks like Rushdown Revolt may have the more drastic approach amongst the three now.
@Anti-Matter You mean the style of the Outfoxies. Super Smash Bros. was not the first fighting game that started that style, the Outfoxies originate it. The Overfoxies is the first of its kind and it's made by the same company that made Super Smash Bros., Tekken, Soul Calibur, Pokken Tournament, WeaponLord, Gundam Wings: Endless Duel, Fighting Layer, and Ehrgeiz.
It's certainly an upgrade to have it in 3D, but the animations looks so stiff and unfun, plus the effects are bad. So it might go the same way as Nic all stars, despite the passion behind.
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