Rivals of Aether II

Developer: Aether Studios
Release: Oct 23rd 2024
Platforms:
Action
Indie
Competitive
Polished
Balanced
Online Issues
Limited Content
Rivals of Aether II Poster

" Vibrant indie action fighter with deep mechanics and polished multiplayer but flawed online netcode "

Rivals of Aether II Review

Rivals of Aether II is a competitive platform fighter that builds upon its predecessor with a new 3D art style and mechanics inspired by games like Melee. Players praise its tight, expressive gameplay, unique elemental-themed characters, and developer support including free DLC characters and regular balance patches. The game shines in local multiplayer and among competitive players familiar with platform fighters, offering deep mechanics and rewarding skill mastery.

However, many longtime fans of Rivals of Aether 1 feel the sequel has lost some of its unique identity, with changes to mechanics such as the removal of drift DI and the addition of floor hugging criticized for slowing gameplay. The online experience suffers from matchmaking issues, lag, and a small playerbase, making it frustrating for newcomers. The lack of robust single-player content and incomplete tutorials also detract from accessibility. While the game has potential and strong core gameplay, it currently feels like a work in progress that may improve with future updates.

Highlights

Players highly praise the gameplay mechanics for being tight, responsive, and challenging, with a well-balanced and varied cast of characters each offering unique playstyles. The graphics receive compliments for their clean, vibrant 3D art style and stage designs that maintain visual clarity. The developer support is noted as excellent, with regular updates, free DLC characters, and community engagement. The game’s music and presentation also receive positive remarks, contributing to an engaging competitive atmosphere.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the online experience, which is marred by unreliable netcode, long matchmaking times, and a dwindling playerbase. Many players find the game’s mechanics frustrating, especially the defensive options like floor hugging and grab mechanics that encourage passive or repetitive gameplay. The lack of single-player content and incomplete tutorials make it inaccessible for newcomers. Some feel the game has lost the unique charm of its predecessor, becoming too similar to Melee without adding enough innovation.

Pros

  • Tight and responsive gameplay with deep, unique character mechanics.
  • Vibrant 3D graphics with clear, well-designed stages.
  • Strong developer support including free DLC and regular patches.
  • Balanced and varied cast offering distinct playstyles.
  • Engaging competitive environment for skilled players.
  • Excellent visual and musical presentation.
  • Accessible inputs with rewarding skill ceiling.

Cons

  • Unreliable and punishing online netcode and matchmaking.
  • Small and declining playerbase causing long wait times.
  • Defensive mechanics like floor hugging slow down gameplay.
  • Incomplete tutorials and lack of onboarding for new players.
  • Limited single-player content compared to predecessor.
  • Loss of unique identity compared to Rivals of Aether 1.
  • Frustrating balance issues favoring rushdown and grabs.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Rivals of Aether II is the sequel to the hit indie fighting game, Rivals of Aether. Play as both new and returning elemental fighters in the next generation of platform fighters.

Release Date Oct 23rd 2024
Publisher Aether Studios, offbrand games
Developer Aether Studios
Platforms

User Reviews

Mostly Positive (4,731)
80% Positive 20% Negative