Axiom Verge

Xbox One, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Mac • 2015

2015

Quick resume

Explore and uncover the mystery of a surreal alien world by blasting aliens and glitching your environment in this intense retro side-scrolling action/adventure.

Global score

90/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Platform

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Pros

Deep exploration and secrets
Unique glitch-based mechanics
Engaging sci-fi atmosphere
Varied weapons and upgrades
Strong nostalgic appeal

Cons

Lack of fast travel causes tedious backtracking
Some bosses are simplistic or unchallenging
Controls for certain abilities can be awkward
Story can be cryptic and incomplete
Weapon overload with many underused items

Analysis

Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Intimacy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression.

How to use the graph

Similar games map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

Purple star: the game you are viewing on this page.
Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
Hover a dot for a quick preview; click to compare it in the panel on the right.
Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

Motivations

Autonomy

Game with the same Autonomy vibe

4

"Players freely explore a vast abstract world and solve puzzles with minimal guidance, encouraging self-direction and discovery."

Kairo
"Players freely explore a large alien world with minimal guidance and no objective markers, encouraging self-directed discovery."
Competence

Game with the same Competence vibe

3

"Combat and boss fights provide a moderate challenge requiring skill and strategy, though some bosses are easier or can be cheesed."

Ghost Song
"The game offers challenging boss fights and skill-based combat, but some bosses can be cheesed and difficulty spikes uneven."
Competition

Game with the same Competition vibe

-4

"Focus is on personal exploration and progression without player-vs-player or leaderboard competition."

Grow Home
"Focus is on individual exploration and progression without player versus player or leaderboard competition."
Continuation

Game with the same Continuation vibe

3

"Players report long play sessions and desire to explore secrets; some frustration with backtracking but overall engagement is high."

Aggelos
"Players report long play sessions and high engagement with exploration and secrets, though some frustration with backtracking."
Cooperation

Game with the same Cooperation vibe

-5

"Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

[Chilla's Art] The Karaoke | ヒトカラ🎤
"Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."
Creativity

Game with the same Creativity vibe

4

"Players experiment with various unique weapons, movement upgrades, and strategies; the game encourages creative problem solving and exploration."

Zexion
"Unique weapons, glitch mechanics, and creative power-ups encourage experimentation and novel gameplay approaches."
Domination

Game with the same Domination vibe

-5

"No social dominance or power over others; gameplay is solitary and non-competitive."

Rusty Lake Hotel
"No social dominance or power over others; gameplay is solitary and non-competitive."
Escapism

Game with the same Escapism vibe

4

"Immersive sci-fi story, atmospheric music, and space exploration provide strong escapism from real life."

Homeworld Remastered Collection
"Immersive alien world, mysterious story, and atmospheric music provide strong escapism from reality."
Expectation

Game with the same Expectation vibe

-4

"Players engage voluntarily out of interest in metroidvania genre and story; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

Timespinner
"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia for Metroidvania genre; no obligation or external pressure."
Experimenting

Game with the same Experimenting vibe

4

"Players encouraged to try new weapons, combos, and strategies throughout the game."

Baldr Sky
"Players encouraged to try different weapons, glitch enemies, and explore hidden areas with new abilities."
Exploration

Game with the same Exploration vibe

5

"Core gameplay involves discovering new areas, secrets, and upgrades in a large interconnected map."

Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition
"Core gameplay revolves around discovering new areas, secrets, and items in a large interconnected map."
Expression

Game with the same Expression vibe

-3

"Limited character customization; focus is on gameplay and exploration rather than avatar personalization."

Axiom Verge 2
"Limited character customization; focus is on gameplay and exploration rather than avatar personalization."
Fantasy

Game with the same Fantasy vibe

5

"Strongly imaginative, surreal, and alien biomechanical world with horror and cosmic themes."

Scorn
"Set in a surreal, alien biomechanical world with sci-fi and horror elements, emphasizing imaginative fiction."
Fellowship

Game with the same Fellowship vibe

-5

"No social or community features; experience is solitary and focused on individual play."

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown
"No social or community features; experience is solitary and focused on individual play."
Growth

Game with the same Growth vibe

4

"Players learn new skills, optimize strategies, and develop knowledge to overcome increasing challenges."

Grimshire
"Players learn new skills, weapons, and strategies to progress and overcome challenges."
Health

Game with the same Health vibe

-4

"Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

Cyberpunk 2077
"Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."
Idle

Game with the same Idle vibe

-4

"Requires continuous attention and focus; combat and exploration demand active engagement."

CULTIC
"Requires continuous attention and focus; exploration and combat demand active engagement."
Intimacy

Game with the same Intimacy vibe

-5

"No close social interactions or emotional connections with other players."

Tiny and Big: Grandpa's Leftovers
"No close social interactions or emotional connections with other players."
Leadership

Game with the same Leadership vibe

-5

"No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

Legacy of Kain™ Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered
"No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."
Progression

Game with the same Progression vibe

5

"Strong emphasis on collecting items, upgrading weapons, and unlocking new abilities."

Resident Evil 4
"Strong emphasis on collecting weapons, upgrades, and abilities to advance through the game."
Relaxation

Game with the same Relaxation vibe

1

"Generally balanced challenge with some tension in boss fights; overall enjoyable but not highly relaxing."

EvilQuest
"Generally balanced challenge with moments of tension, especially during boss fights and exploration."
Sensation

Game with the same Sensation vibe

3

"Engaging pixel art, sound effects, and atmospheric music provide sensory stimulation."

Stoneshard: Prologue
"Distinctive pixel art, glitch effects, and atmospheric music provide engaging sensory stimulation."
Status

Game with the same Status vibe

-5

"Achievements and leaderboards exist but social recognition is minimal; focus is on personal accomplishment."

Ori and the Will of the Wisps
"Achievements and leaderboards exist but social recognition is minimal; focus is on personal accomplishment."
Story

Game with the same Story vibe

4

"Narrative unfolds through exploration, notes, and character interactions."

Die Young
"Mysterious and intriguing narrative with lore revealed through exploration and notes."
Strategy

Game with the same Strategy vibe

3

"Players must plan weapon use, counters, and navigation to overcome bosses and puzzles."

Blaster Master Zero 2
"Players must plan weapon use and ability application to solve puzzles and defeat bosses."
Thrill

Game with the same Thrill vibe

2

"Some suspense in boss fights and exploration, but overall moderate tension."

Blaster Master Zero
"Some suspense and tension from exploration and boss battles, but overall moderate emotional intensity."
Value

Game with the same Value vibe

4

"Players find the game worth the price due to depth, length, and replayability."

Risen
"Players find the game worth the price due to depth, length, and quality despite some frustrations."
Violence

Game with the same Violence vibe

3

"Combat against monsters and hostile humans is a core gameplay element involving shooting and melee."

Outbreak Island
"Combat against hostile creatures is a core mechanic, involving shooting and defeating enemies."
Survival

Game with the same Survival vibe

2

"Players must manage health and avoid death, but threats are moderate and manageable."

Shadow Complex Remastered
"Players must manage health and resources to survive threats, though death penalties are moderate."

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Last update: 15/05/2026

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