The 50 Best PS4 Games Right Now

Best PS4 Games List – #26 Axiom Verge

Developer: Tom Happ

Publisher: Thomas Happ Games

PS4 Release Date: March 31, 2015

Axiom Verge takes places in a mythological high-tech world, discovered by our protagonist Trace. He was a scientist who suffered a near-fatal injury, awakening in this unknown universe with nothing but courage to guide him. The game takes place on a 2D, side-scrolling plane, where over 60 items, weapons, and other power-ups guide Trace through the mysterious mazes, monsters, bosses and puzzles that face him.

Borrowing from games such as Metroid, Bionic Commando and Contra, Axiom Verge combines 8 and 16-bit sensibilities, music and aesthetics while providing small gameplay touches and visual effects for a game designed for modern players. Complete with multiple difficulty options, old school and newcomers alike will appreciate the game’s challenges when it comes to platforming and action combat.

While it does pick and choose elements from established games in order to create something new, the excellence of those games mashed together is what makes Axiom Verge its own unique property. It’s a love letter to the past, but since the style of those games aren’t brought forward by the mainstream these days, there’s a lot of room for forgiveness. It’s like seeing an old friend for the first time in decades, where you can pick up where you left off right away.

Next: '#25 Mortal Kombat X