Recent reviews by Byteheist

This DLC took me about 3 hours to complete 100%, but I loved every second of it. It was absolutely worth the $5.

It's harder than the base game, so it might not be for everyone. The platforming challenges and the final boss are on the same level as the Divine Trials. If you enjoyed those, like I did, then you'll probably like this too.

Play it if you've mastered the base game and want more of a challenge.

Be aware that it is separate, side adventure on a different map. The DLC area has its own separate set of amulets and health upgrades, and you will not have access to all your movement abilities while you're there. You will keep your weapon upgrades and Athra Surges, but if you're expecting a walk in the park because you've got all the upgrades from the main story, that is not really the experience you're going to get.

I cannot recommend this game enough. One of my favourite games of all time!

Axiom Verge starts out like an 8-bit-style Super Metroid clone, but develops its own identity the more you play.

The gameplay loop is immediately familiar -- reach an impasse, explore, fight a boss, get a new power, traverse the impasse -- but Happ (the creator) applies 30 years of game design innovations to the classic Metroid formula. The result is challenging, both mentally and technically, without being punishing.

There are some innovative new gameplay ideas here too. I'll try not to spoil too much, but all the glorious graphical glitches of the NES days make a return in Axiom Verge, as actual, controllable game mechanics.

The story and setting is Half Life meets The Matrix. It's boiled-down cyberpunk with a couple cool twists. Definitely a bit more than you'd expect from an 8-bit, throwback action game.

The sound and enemy design leave some room for improvement, but this is a great game if you enjoy Metroidvanias and 8-bit throwbacks, and it's a truly impressive work when you consider that it was made entirely by one person!