Rivals of Aether II Review

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As a seasoned gamer with a keen eye for aesthetics and a soft spot for unique visual styles, I must say that Rivals of Aether II has left me quite smitten. This cel-shaded marvel runs smoothly on any machine, making it a delight for both my eyes and wallet! The blend of 2D effects with a 3D format is nothing short of enchanting, adding a touch of magic to every sword slash, claw attack, or arrow launch.

You might think Platform Fighter is a predictable genre limited to whatever Super Smash Bros. game comes out next, but there’s one little indie proving that that’s not true.

Although multiverse battles in games such as Multiversus and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl haven’t gained much popularity, the Platform Fighter game has been experiencing significant success.

This independent game, which later became a beloved cult classic series, originated from enthusiastic Super Smash Bros. Melee fans. Its initial release captivated numerous individuals due to unique features such as no shields or ledges, a focus on parrying, and stunning pixel art.

Nevertheless, the announcement of what was previously known as “Rivals 2” caused quite a bit of perplexity because it appeared that this series was about to conform to typical standards within the platform fighter genre, at least on the gaming platform.

Due to its mechanical differences from its predecessor, Rivals of Aether II finds itself in a situation where it must demonstrate its merits more extensively compared to the original game.

Any platform fighter can be enjoyable when playing with friends, but it takes special attention to maintain their long-term richness and excellence. Here, we’ll discover if Rivals of Aether 2 manages to transition from an underdog to a dominant force in the industry, or falls short of delivering a successful leap.

A Quarter-circle Back

As a dedicated gamer diving into the world of Rivals of Aether II, I can’t help but notice the lack of an engaging storyline so far. While I appreciate the hints of narrative in the original game and the deeper lore in Dungeons of Aether, it’s clear we’re still waiting for the promised story mode. But fear not, fellow fans, the developers have reassured us that a captivating tale is on its way!

According to Aether Studios via their Kickstarter, the story mode they’re planning will resemble the Subspace Emissary campaign from Brawl. However, at this point, it’s just an idea, so we’ll need to keep an eye out for its development and eventual release.

Instead of just getting brief snippets from trailers and external sources, it’s pleasant, but I eagerly anticipate the time when we can immerse ourselves in an engaging platformer-fighter game storyline for a full gaming experience.

At present, all we can critique is what’s presented to us, and unfortunately, given that it’s largely empty at this stage, it leaves a negative impression on Rivals of Aether 2 while it’s being developed.

Dancing Around The Competition

Among non-Smash Bros. platform fighters, Rivals of Aether is nearly the only one that gets the genre right. The sequel, Rivals of Aether II, has a speed similar to Smash Ultimate but boasts a skill ceiling comparable to Melee, especially with its more intricate characters.

These combatants span a variety, from novice-friendly, straightforward figures such as Clairen and Zetterburn to intricate, tech-reliant ones like Loxodont and Maypul.

As a gamer, I often find myself drawn to characters that are intricately designed with a dash of familiarity reminiscent of Smash’s moveset. But what sets these characters apart is not just their flashy moves, but the wealth of hidden abilities they possess. Mastering each character feels like uncovering a treasure trove of skills, one by one, making every victory all the more satisfying.

This is accomplished exceptionally through a blend of original thinking and technology integration, without losing the essence of uniqueness.

Specifically, incorporating unique outfits and pummeling techniques significantly broadens your tactical possibilities when you’re at a disadvantage, making the struggle in such situations noticeably more engaging and enjoyable.

The only negative thing I can say is that Rivals of Aether 2 would really be better off doing its own thing instead of doing what “works” sometimes.

Specifically, it seems that the platform mechanics, shield ruptures, and particularly the positions for ideal recovery might benefit from being simplified or made more self-explanatory.

In essence, it’s a remarkably robust fighting game that provides ample room for strategic thought, yet never lags in pace or speed.

This game seems remarkably similar to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, surprisingly so given its lower price point. Although there are a few aspects I might quibble with, it’s tough not to be impressed by how fantastic it is to play.

A Challenger (Never) Approaches!

In this amazing game I’m playing, unlike what one might anticipate with traditional games, you don’t have to grind through levels or challenges to unlock characters or stages. Instead, all non-cosmetic content is accessible right from the start! This is fantastic news for me because it means the game emphasizes cool character skins, icons, and in-game currency, rather than making me work hard for new playable content.

In essence, it’s a remarkably robust fighting game that offers a balanced pace, ensuring you never feel rushed or sluggish while playing.

By advancing your characters, you can acquire these unlockables. Instead of relying on a chance draw to obtain your favorite character, playing Fleet will grant you Fleet-related skins.

You can earn most cosmetics through grinding, and that grinding rewards you. The better you are at the game, the more matches you win, and the more loot you get. Simple, effective, and addictive.

As for an extra treat, even though the story mode is being polished, they’ve got this classic arcade-style gameplay ready to roll! You can pick your favorite character and battle through progressively harder stages, just like a retro challenge.

If you fully embrace the completionist mindset, you’ll likely invest numerous hours addressing skill challenges and perhaps developing a dislike for Maypul, which is quite impressive!

Fishing for Skins

Although the notion of a $30 game featuring an in-game shop for purchasing items with real money could appear unpleasant at first glance, it’s essential to note that you are not compelled to spend any money if you don’t wish to.

To prevent fear of missing out (FOMO) as much as we can, everything inside the store is intended to remain there permanently. Most skins, however, can be obtained by progressing through the character’s levels via regular gameplay.

It takes quite some time to reach character levels, regardless. If you’re an ardent Loxodont fan and dedicate countless hours to him daily, achieving level 50 will still require substantial patience. From what I understand, rewards are doled out up until level 99, so it looks like there’s a lot of action left on the battlefield for you.

If it weren’t for superficial aspects, I might feel frustrated with the game-driven environment. Thankfully, no actual advantage can be obtained by spending real money.

In a matchup, a newcomer with an untouched account could hold their own against a veteran player who has lots of spare time and maxed-out characters. This scenario ensures a balanced competition, which is ideal.

A Graphical Mix-up

As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but praise the distinctive visual style of Rivals 2. Unlike many games, it employs cel-shading in a way that never feels like a compromise. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this approach guarantees smooth performance and a stunning appearance on any gaming device.

Each strike of a sword, attack with claws, or shot from an arrow is accompanied by a 2D particle effect that adjusts its color and style according to your character, adding a delightful visual touch. In essence, the combination of 2D effects within a predominantly 3D setting creates a harmonious balance in application.

Furthermore, compared to other platform fighting games, it was particularly easy for us to understand the action, especially when we played using distinct colors. This was true even when there were as many as four characters simultaneously on the screen.

A challenge arises when two alternative designs share almost identical colors. This often occurs, as both characters tend to have variations in shades of blue, red, and green, which have a high degree of brightness and hue similarity.

In the midst of a fight, it can be challenging to distinguish between two characters who share similar alternate versions, such as Blue Clairen and Purple Clairen, due to their likeness.

At the end of the day, though, the game does look incredible, even if it could be way better for clarity’s sake and especially for colorblindness.

The new art style, which stands in stark contrast to the original, has proven to be a significant achievement and gives this game an unmistakable identity compared to other platform fighters. However, it may lack the polish of its 2D art forerunner.

Regardless of your preference for the graphics, there’s one aspect that remains consistent with the original game: the exceptional music by FlashyGoodness, offering adrenaline-pumping, speedy tunes for combat or relaxation.

Once again, we’re welcoming the return of soothing, electronically crafted beats at their peak. This time, they’ve slowed down to create a relaxing ambience, perfect for immersing yourself over extended periods.

The overall sound design isn’t slacking either, each hit selling the impact incredibly well, and each bit of audio stands out amongst the cavalcade of noise in the average fight.

This is significantly enhanced by the fresh voiceovers, as each character sounds remarkably consistent with my mental imagery and they all have distinctive, instantly memorable performances right off the bat.

The scene is a captivating spectacle for both sight and ear, showcasing an undeniable expertise in its creation.

This game stands out among its peers for efficiently and effectively providing all necessary information, including against Smash Ultimate. Its charm and flair are unmatched, and it never slows down in delivering information.

Closing Comments:

The sequel to Rivals of Aether delights fans with an abundance of appealing features and hints at further enhancements down the line. It continually receives updates for optimization. If it added a well-structured story mode, streamlined mechanics, and clearer character skins, it could easily rank among the greatest fighting games ever. The gameplay is exhilarating, the soundtrack rocks, and the graphics stand out with their distinctiveness without sacrificing smooth performance. Fans of Smash Bros. style combat should definitely give Rivals of Aether II a try, but be aware that it’s still undergoing development, even post-release.

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2024-10-29 20:39