The anticipated release of Axiom Verge 2 has been delayed again, getting pushed back to the second half of 2021. The game has already passed the release window previously announced. To make up for yet another delay to the Metroidvania title, the developer has released a full making-of documentary for the game, which is available for free.
Axiom Verge 2 is an indie Metroidvania game developed by Tomas Happ as a sequel to the critically-acclaimed Axiom Verge from 2015. Metroidvania is a subgenre title given to games that share certain characteristics with the classic Metroid and Castlevania titles, having similar game design and mechanics as those two classic titles. These games are generally side scrollers, with a large interconnected world map that the player progresses through by unlocking new items and abilities. These improvements often allow players to access new zones with more difficult enemies and environmental challenges. From the footage shown in the making-of documentary, it can be surmised that Axiom Verge 2 will encompass many of these elements.
According to an article from IGN, the release date window for Axiom Verge 2 has been moved from early 2021 to Q3 2021. While the developer, Tomas Happ, did not share many details about what caused the game to be delayed for a second time, it seems that Happ wants to work on the title for a little while longer. Working straight through the COVID-19 pandemic would have taken a toll on the sole developer, so taking more time to work steadily through the final part of development is likely a better idea than causing himself to get burnt out due to crunch to get the game finished in time.
The documentary was filmed and directed by 2 Player Productions. Video game documentary viewers may recognize this production team as the people who work on the Double Fine Adventure documentary, as well as Double Fine’s “Amnesia Fortnight” in-house events and other video game based documentaries online. The Axiom Verge 2 making-of documentary can be viewed for free on the Axiom Verge Steam page or purchased via Blu-ray disc as a part of the Axiom Verge: Multiverse Edition bundle.
Axiom Verge 2 is set to be released on Nintendo Switch and PC once the game is finished. There is no news yet if the title will be ported to other consoles. Axiom Verge, the first game, was released on a number of consoles, including Wii U and PlayStation Vita. It was later released on the Nintendo Switch, two years after its initial launch. The delay in the release may be due to Happ working on getting a PS5 and Xbox Series X/S port finished. More should become clear closer to the current release date of Q3 2021.
Source: IGN