How is this compared to the first?

[Nathaniel Prime]

I liked Axiom Verge 1 a lot. Very original and dark in an interesting way. I see this game has worse reviews, though. Is it worse than the first?

[Soda]

If you expect Axiom Verge 1, but more. This game isnt exactly it.
I have personally failed to nail down a good explanation about what I personally didnt fully enjoy it as the first game, but I did not finish this game myself.

I don't want to say it is bad, but maybe because it had to succeed the first game, the expectations from buyers, and what they got is mismatched?.

I would recommend doing some research if this game is for you. You might love it, you might not.

[Nemesis-489]

It's every bit as the first IMO, it's only downside is adjusting to the new combat. It performs really well as a sequel in story telling though.

[Serious Secare]

it's similar, but very different. more exploration than combat.

[Kirby202]

Not good in my opinion.
It does not expand upon the main character's story arc from the first game.
The main character from this game is a Wealthy "I'm better than everyone else" type.
The music all seems to be a genre I am not fond of. (AV1 had more variety)
The combat is AWFUL (unless they changed it since I played)
Bosses feel unsatisfying as they are almost entirely unnecessary for progress.
The world feels far less alien and lonely than Axiom Verge 1.
Upgrades feel unsubstantial for the most part.
Achievements available with the equivalent to GOD MODE on ( making the term "achievement" a misnomer here)
ONE thing I think was done SLIGHTLY better is the exploration options, but it does not make up for all the flaws.

[birolay]

As some dude said, It's pretty much like a NES era sequel.
Completely different from its predecessor, neither better nor worse. Just... Different. WAY different.

[Distinction10]

It's not 'more Axiom Verge', which is what I really wanted. But it is really great. The environments are S-tier without a doubt. The downside is that there were whole bosses that I didn't even realize were bosses after I killed them. Multiple of them. Like, almost all of them. Not great. But the exploration, environments, and environmental storytelling is all still quite top tier.

[birolay]

Originally posted by Distinction10:

It's not 'more Axiom Verge', which is what I really wanted. But it is really great. The environments are S-tier without a doubt. The downside is that there were whole bosses that I didn't even realize were bosses after I killed them. Multiple of them. Like, almost all of them. Not great. But the exploration, environments, and environmental storytelling is all still quite top tier.

best definition I've ever read, bud
We're pretty much talking about two absolutely different games sharing the same lore. Each with its merits. Both top notch.

But man, did I also want "more of Axiom Verge"

[Double-D]

It's not bad by any means, but if compared with AV 1... It feels lighter, softer and all-in-all watered down. First one feels way more tight.

[tstki]

well, they took the epic money hat, so they should have had a year to find and fix bugs before the steam release....

[tipsyConfection]

This is less Metroid and more Zelda, so to say. Both in environments and artstyle, and in gameplay. Very different, yet still keepnig the same core in the end.

[GnomeSlayer]

This game has a lot more negative reviews. I will pick it up once it goes on a 90% sale.

[Jobi]

This game is nothing compared to the original in terms of gameplay and story. Like hell its to the point where it feels like an entirely different genre at times. It trades the gun from the first game for melee combat that is nowhere near as graceful as other metroidvanias have pulled it off (think hollow knight but all of your enemies hit hard, you dont push back with your attacks as much, and you cant pogo).

Replay the original instead. Speedrun, randomizer, everything you can do in AV1.

[GnomeSlayer]

Originally posted by M0-X:

This game is nothing compared to the original in terms of gameplay and story. Like hell its to the point where it feels like an entirely different genre at times. It trades the gun from the first game for melee combat that is nowhere near as graceful as other metroidvanias have pulled it off (think hollow knight but all of your enemies hit hard, you dont push back with your attacks as much, and you cant pogo).

Replay the original instead. Speedrun, randomizer, everything you can do in AV1.

Thank you - these are big changes. And they don’t sound good.

[uKER]

Without going into spoiler territory, some mechanics are similar, but the setting and the combat are nothing like the original, or Metroid.
Gameplay is based on a pickaxe. I have yet to find a proper weapon that shoots.
The map is quite good though.

[Gnidex]

While I think this game is worth playing, it's very different from the first one. The environment is less alien and more natural, bosses are all optional, combat and powerups are completely different and less bizzare, the game is less challenging. While it's not more of AV, this prequel has its own merits.