Axiom Verge

File:Axiom Verge PlayStation 4 pre-release gameplay screenshot.png series of video games.]]

Axiom Verge is a side-scroller action-adventure game where the player controls Trace, a scientist who, after suffering a crippling injury, wakes up in an ancient and high-tech world. The game focuses on action and exploration, and features over 60 items and power-ups. The gameplay borrows elements from classic games such as Metroid, Contra, Blaster Master, and Bionic Commando, among others.

After a lab explosion knocks him out, a scientist named Trace Eschenbrenner{{cite tweet|last=Happ|first=Tom|date=May 16, 2018|user=AxiomVerge|title=Eschenbrenner|number=996605967860023296|access-date=August 30, 2022}} awakens on the alien world of Sudra. He hears a voice speaking to him and fights his way to the source: a massive, mechanical head named Elsenova.

After Trace activates a power filter to partially restore Elsenova, she explains that the universe consists of many worlds which are separated by a storm called the Breach. Long ago, a man named Athetos came to Sudra through the Breach and eradicated its people using a pathogen. The only survivors of the pandemic were the Rusalki, a race of mechanical giants like Elsenova.

Trace activates a legion of drones to repair the Rusalki completely. On his way to a Rusalka named Ophelia, Trace hallucinates and collapses. While unconscious, Trace remembers that after the lab explosion, he remained on Earth and published theories that were ridiculed by the scientific community, giving him the nickname "Athetos". Ophelia confesses Trace is in fact another clone of him at a younger age. Trace expresses distrust of the Rusalka and demands to talk to Athetos, but Elsenova responds by remotely killing Trace.

Ophelia revives Trace, and they make an agreement where the Rusalki will let Athetos live if Trace merely shuts down his Breach attractor. Trace finds Athetos, who reveals that Sudra was once the gateway to a highly advanced alien world. By the time Athetos arrived however, the Sudrans had ceased to understand their role and now guarded their technology with religious reverence. Athetos planned to bring this alien technology back to Earth regardless, so he exterminated the Sudrans so they could not obstruct him. However, the Rusalki's survival halted Athetos' plan. Rather than let such powerful enemies roam free in the universe, Athetos attracted the Breach so that they could not leave Sudra.

Trace decides to fight Athetos and destroys the Breach attractor with a fully restored Elsenova's help. However, Elsenova claims Athetos is too dangerous and breaks her promise by killing him. The Rusalki tell Trace they will now return him home, and forcibly put him to sleep.

Trace awakens back on Earth after the lab accident, finding history has been altered so that the explosion did not injure him. However, Trace develops an obsession with returning to Sudra and quits his job to research it. If the player ends the game with a high completion rate, just as Trace is about to succeed on his research, Athetos himself appears. He tells Trace it is "time to wake up", and shoots him.

Axiom Verge is an independent project by Petroglyph Games engineer Tom Happ, who has worked on games such as End of Nations, NFL Street, and the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series. Happ also worked on a Game Boy Advance project named Orn, a small Metroid fangame. He is the sole developer, artist, and musician of the game, and began work on it in March 2010 as a side project.

An alpha build of the game was submitted to the 2012 Dream Build Play challenge on May 15. The game was originally expected to be released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 in 2013, but was ultimately delayed. In 2014, Axiom Verge was included in Indie Statik's list of Top 100 Most Anticipated Indie Games of 2014. In April 2014, it was announced that Axiom Verge would be released for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in early 2015. On May 14, 2015, Axiom Verge was released for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and OS X. The PlayStation Vita version of the game was released in North America on April 19, 2016, and in Europe the following day.

In March 2015, it was revealed that a Wii U version had been initially considered, but was not possible at the time due to technical issues, particularly with the game's underlying framework, MonoGame, lacking native support for Nintendo's platform.{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/39830/dan-adelman-explains-why-axiom-verge-is-not-coming-to-wii-u |title=Dan Adelman Explains Why Axiom Verge is Not Coming to Wii U |first=Alex |last=Culafi |date=March 11, 2015 |access-date=June 11, 2017 |website=Nintendo World Report}} However, Nintendo were interested in having Axiom Verge come to the Wii U.{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/06/nintendo_wants_metroid-style_title_axiom_verge_on_one_of_its_systems |title=Nintendo Wants Metroid-Style Title Axiom Verge On One Of Its Systems |first=Damien |last=McFerran |date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=June 11, 2017 |website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media}} In March 2016, it was confirmed the game would finally arrive on Wii U,{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/03/axiom_verge_confirmed_for_wii_u_release_later_this_year |title=Axiom Verge Confirmed for Wii U Release Later This Year |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |date=March 14, 2016 |access-date=June 11, 2017 |website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media}} and was slated for a September 1, 2016 release in North America and Europe.{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/08/axiom_verge_heading_to_the_wii_u_eshop_on_1st_september |title=Axiom Verge Heading to the Wii U eShop on 1st September |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=June 11, 2017 |website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media}} Thomas Happ originally intended to include an unlockable Samus Aran costume in the Wii U version, but Nintendo did not approve.{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/09/a_samus_costume_was_almost_in_the_wii_u_axiom_verge_port |title=A Samus Costume Was Almost in the Wii U Axiom Verge Port |first=Mitch |last=Vogel |date=September 7, 2016 |access-date=June 11, 2017 |website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media}} At one point, a Nintendo 3DS version of Axiom Verge was also considered.{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/42938/axiom-verge-creator-still-interested-in-bringing-game-to-3ds |title=Axiom Verge Creator Still Interested in Bringing Game to 3DS |first=Jared |last=Rosenberg |date=June 29, 2016 |access-date=June 11, 2017 |website=Nintendo World Report}} Thomas Happ stated after the Nintendo Switch was revealed that he hoped Nintendo would send him a developer kit so he could begin porting Axiom Verge to the Switch.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/devs-react-nintendo-unveils-its-hybrid-handheld-console-switch|title=Devs React: Nintendo unveils its hybrid-handheld console Switch|first=Alex|last=Wawro|website=Gamasutra|date=October 20, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108110049/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/283814/Devs_React_Nintendo_unveils_its_hybridhandheld_console_Switch.php|archive-date=November 8, 2020}} A port was later confirmed alongside the special, physical Multiverse Edition.

In October 2015, Thomas Happ Games teamed up with IndieBox, a monthly subscription box service, to create a custom-designed, physical release of Axiom Verge. The limited, individually numbered, collector's edition included a flash drive with a DRM-free copy of the game, official soundtrack, instruction manual, Steam key, and several custom-made collectible items.{{Cite news|url=http://www.axiomverge.com/blog/axiom-verge-indie-box|title=Axiom Verge Indie Box!!|work=axiomverge.com|publisher=Thomas Happ Games|access-date=2017-06-03|language=en-US}} High demand for this physical version caused the IndieBox website to crash.{{Cite web|last=Cunningham|first=James|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2015/10/06/axiom-verge-temporarily-breaks-indiebox-back-in-stock-now/170843/|title=Axiom Verge Temporarily Breaks IndieBox, Back in Stock Now|website=Hardcore Gamer|date=October 6, 2015|access-date=2017-06-03}}

Six years after its initial release, Axiom Verge received a downloadable content update in 2021, featuring a new gameplay mode that randomizes item locations. The update was a collaboration between Happ and Axiom Verge{{'}}s speedrunning community, who had unofficially developed a mod for this game mode and were looking to officially add it to the game.{{Cite web|last=Prescott|first=Shaun|date=2021-01-15|title=Axiom Verge just got a surprise Randomizer mode|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/axiom-verge-just-got-a-surprise-randomizer-mode/|access-date=2021-01-18|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Gach|first=Ethan|date=2021-01-15|title=Axiom Verge Gets 'Sophisticated' Randomizer Mode Six Years After Launch|url=https://kotaku.com/axiom-verge-gets-sophisticated-randomizer-mode-six-year-1846066111|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115160540/https://kotaku.com/axiom-verge-gets-sophisticated-randomizer-mode-six-year-1846066111 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=2021-01-18|website=Kotaku|language=en-us}}

In February 2017, Spanish game distributor BadLand Games announced they were collaborating with Thomas Happ to publish Axiom Verge as a retail title. In addition to a standard retail release only for the PlayStation 4, a special, limited Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition was to be available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Wii U during Q2 2017 in both North America and Europe. The Multiverse Edition would include a physical copy of the game, a deluxe booklet with developer commentary and art, a double-sided poster, and a making-of documentary on Blu-ray (initially announced as being on a DVD). BadLand Games expected to announce the Multiverse Edition for other platforms later on. In June 2017, it was confirmed that the Multiverse Edition was going to release worldwide in the following August, and will also be available for the Nintendo Switch with exclusive soundtrack CD.{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/06/axiom_verge_multiverse_edition_confirmed_for_physical_release_on_switch |title=Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition Confirmed For Physical Release On Switch |first=Damien |last=McFerran |date=June 1, 2017 |access-date=June 11, 2017 |website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media}} However, the release was delayed to October 17, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/08/axiom_verge_launches_on_switch_on_17th_october |title=Axiom Verge Launches on Switch on 17th October |first=Vogel |last=Mitch |date=August 7, 2017 |access-date=June 1, 2024}} That date was not kept either, and ultimately the Multiverse Edition was released on November 21, 2017, in North America. The European release happened on January 29, 2018.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} A physical edition of the Wii U version was distributed by Limited Run Games on March 29, 2019.{{cite web|last=Wales|first=Matt|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-03-15-two-years-after-its-announcement-axiom-verge-finally-gets-a-physical-release-on-wii-u|title=Two years after its announcement, Axiom Verge finally gets a physical release on Wii U|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|date=March 15, 2015|access-date=October 22, 2015}}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = PS4: 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/axiom-verge/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Axiom Verge for PlayStation 4 Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 23, 2015}}
PC: 80/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/axiom-verge/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Axiom Verge for PC Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 23, 2015}}
VITA: 78/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/axiom-verge/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita |title=Axiom Verge for PlayStation Vita Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 14, 2019}}
WIIU: 89/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/axiom-verge/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |title=Axiom Verge for Wii U Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 14, 2019}}
XONE: 85/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/axiom-verge/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Axiom Verge for Xbox One Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 14, 2019}}
NS: 87/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/axiom-verge/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Axiom Verge for Switch Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 14, 2019}}

| Destruct = 7.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-axiom-verge-289696.phtml|title=Axiom Verge review: Verging on greatness|first=Conrad|last=Zimmerman|work=Destructoid|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}

| GI = 9.25/10{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/axiom_verge/b/playstation4/archive/2015/03/30/axiom-verge-review-game-informer.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150404213205/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/axiom_verge/b/playstation4/archive/2015/03/30/axiom-verge-review-game-informer.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=April 4, 2015|title=Axiom Verge review: What's Old Is New|first=Bryan|last=Vore|magazine=Game Informer|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}

| GameRev = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/axiom-verge|title=Axiom Verge review|first=Anthony|last=LaBella|work=Game Revolution|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}

| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/axiom-verge-review/1900-6416083/|title=Axiom Verge review: Don't Look Back|first=Peter|last=Brown|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}

| GB = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/axiom-verge-review/1900-701/|title=Axiom Verge Review|first=Jeff|last=Gerstmann|authorlink=Jeff Gerstmann|work=Giant Bomb|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}

| IGN = 7.9/10{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/30/axiom-verge-review|title=Axiom Verge review: Strangely Familiar|work=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|first=Marty|last=Silva|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}}

}}

The game received generally favorable reviews upon release, with praise particularly directed to its setting, weapons, boss battles, control, upgrades and secrets featured. Aggregating review website Metacritic gave the PlayStation 4 version 84/100 based on 61 reviews.

Jeff Gerstmann from Giant Bomb gave the game a perfect score, praising its huge variety of weapons, as well as its rewarding and worthwhile upgrades. He also praised the game for encouraging players to reach 100% completion, the audio and visuals for evolving in meaningful ways while being similar to those of the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. Regarding the difficulty of the game, he stated that it "makes things challenging without making them overtly frustrating". He summarized the review by saying that "If you've ever been into this sort of action-adventure game, Axiom Verge is positively terrific."

Peter Brown from GameSpot gave the game an 8/10 rating, praising its high replay value, surprising and rewarding story, occasionally breathtaking scenery as well as the setting, which he stated "instills a strong mixture of curiosity and dread". The game's secrets, large selection of weapons and soundtracks were also praised. He also particularly praised one of the weapons featured, the Address Disruptor, calling it "one of the most interesting weapons or tools that I've ever seen in a game." He summarized the review by saying that "Axiom Verge is a game that's easy to fall in love with because it hits so many high notes. It takes the Metroidvania model and adds layers of ingenuity that are in a league all of their own. It's not a stretch to say that Axiom Verge is better than the games that inspired it, because it's so inventive and thoughtfully crafted."

Marty Sliva from IGN gave the game a 7.9/10. While praising its satisfying character progression, challenging boss encounters, responsive control and great sense of movement and combat, he criticized the forgettable story, characters that can't be related to and the map-design, which never evolves throughout the game and discourages exploration. He added that the game doesn't have enough distant and memorable regions. He also criticized the game for being too familiar with the Metroid series and for lacking a clear objective.

Entertainment Weekly magazine has rated the game "A−"{{cite magazine|last=Morales|first=Aaron|url=http://ew.com/article/2015/04/07/axiom-verge-playstation-4-review/|title='Axiom Verge' review: Reviving the joy, and frustration, of discovery|date=April 7, 2015|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Meredith Corporation}} and figured the game on its "The 10 Best Games of 2015" list.{{cite magazine|last=Morales|first=Aaron|url=http://ew.com/gallery/best-video-games-2015/|title=The 10 Best (And 3 Worst!) Video Games of 2015|at=BEST: 10. Axiom Verge (Mac, PC, PS4)|date=December 11, 2015|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Meredith Corporation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506125941/http://ew.com/gallery/best-video-games-2015/|archive-date=May 6, 2022}}

Thomas Ella of Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 4/5 and described it as "a 2D side-scrolling game with a vast, open world divided into distinct rooms, an array of weapons and power-ups and a map screen laid out in a grid for easy tracking of where you've been and where you might need to go next."{{cite web|last=Ella|first=Thomas|date=March 30, 2015|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2015/03/30/review-axiom-verge/140253/|title=Review: Axiom Verge | website = Hardcore Gamer}}

In a review of Axiom Verge in Black Gate, Matt Drought said "Axiom Verge is a blast to play. It is worthy successor to carry on the mantle of games past. Journeying through the world of Sudra, fighting enemies, exploring new areas, and gathering new weapons with different powers is very enjoyable. The game challenges you to survive this world filled with enemies and traps trying to kill you, and leaves you with a sense of accomplishment, especially after defeating a particularly hard Boss. As a sole developer, Thomas Happ has created a game that brings the player in with great gameplay, an interesting premise, and a fantastic soundtrack."{{cite web | url=https://www.blackgate.com/2017/09/21/axiom-verge-retro-gaming-at-its-finest/ | title=Axiom Verge: Retro Gaming at Its Finest – Black Gate | date=September 21, 2017 }}

{{Main|Axiom Verge 2}}

During the 2019 Indie World presentation, Happ revealed that a sequel is in development, titled Axiom Verge 2, and was planned to release for Nintendo Switch in fall 2020.{{Cite magazine|last=Andrew|first=Reiner|title=Axiom Verge 2 Is Heading To Switch In 2020 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2019/12/10/axiom-verge-2-is-heading-to-switch-in-2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218203615/https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2019/12/10/axiom-verge-2-is-heading-to-switch-in-2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 18, 2019|magazine=Game Informer|date=December 10, 2019|access-date=December 25, 2019}} In October 2020, it was announced that the game was delayed to the first half of 2021. In May 2021, the game was then delayed to Q3 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/05/axiom-verge-2-delayed-to-q3-2021|title=Axiom Verge 2 delayed to Q3 2021|website=Gematsu|date=May 25, 2021|accessdate=May 25, 2021}} The game was released on August 11, 2021.{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|title=Axiom Verge 2 for PS4, Switch, and PC now available|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/08/axiom-verge-2-for-ps4-switch-and-pc-now-available|website=Gematsu|date=August 11, 2021}}

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

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{{cite press release|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/168670/Press_release_for_Axiom_Verge.php |title=Press release for Axiom Verge |access-date=April 22, 2012 |date=March 17, 2012 |website=Gamasutra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511150430/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/168670/Press_release_for_Axiom_Verge.php |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.cs.rit.edu/~tjh8300/Orn/ |title=Orn |access-date=November 21, 2014 |date=2003 |first=Thomas|last=Happ |publisher=Computer Science }}

{{cite web |url=http://indiestatik.com/2014/01/01/indie-games-2014/ |title=Top 100 Most Anticipated Indie Games Of 2014 |access-date=March 8, 2014 |date=January 1, 2014 |publisher=Indie Statik |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301120245/http://indiestatik.com/2014/01/01/indie-games-2014/ |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |url-status=usurped}}

{{cite web |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/04/30/axiom-verge-sci-fi-sidescroller-coming-to-ps4-vita/ |title=Axiom Verge: Sci-fi Sidescroller coming to PS4, Vita |access-date=May 1, 2014 |date=April 30, 2014 |first=Tom|last=Happ |website=PlayStation Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501103314/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/04/30/axiom-verge-sci-fi-sidescroller-coming-to-ps4-vita/ |archive-date=May 1, 2014 |url-status=live}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/241675/Axiom_Verge_Announces_May_14th_Release_on_PC_Steam_Humble_Bundle__PlayStation_Vita_to_Follow.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160415172041/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/241675/Axiom_Verge_Announces_May_14th_Release_on_PC_Steam_Humble_Bundle__PlayStation_Vita_to_Follow.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 15, 2016 |title=Axiom Verge Announces May 14th Release on PC (Steam & Humble Bundle) – PlayStation Vita to Follow |access-date=May 14, 2015 |date=May 14, 2015 | work=Gamasutra | publisher=UBM plc }}

{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-04-01-axiom-verge-is-coming-to-vita-next-month | title=Axiom Verge is coming to Vita next month | work=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | first=Jeffrey | last=Matulef | date=April 1, 2016 | access-date=April 2, 2016}}

{{cite web |author=Novedades |url=https://badlandgames.com/gb/noticias/121_BadLand-Games-Axiom-Verge-boxed-release.html |title=BadLand Games signs Thomas Happ Games to publish critically-acclaimed platformer Axion Verge as boxed release |publisher=BadLand Games |date=23 February 2017 |access-date=28 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301005646/https://badlandgames.com/gb/noticias/121_BadLand-Games-Axiom-Verge-boxed-release.html |archive-date=March 1, 2017 |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web|first=Kevin |last=McClusky |url=https://www.destructoid.com/metroid-inspired-axiom-verge-is-getting-a-physical-release-420524.phtml |title=Metroid inspired Axiom Verge is getting a physical release |website=Destructoid |date=23 February 2017 |access-date=28 February 2017}}

}}

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