Rivals of Aether II (Steam)

Rivals of Aether II is basically a love letter to the competitive Super Smash Bros. fandom. The game features a small but incredibly deep cast of characters, and is defined by its mechanics and learning curve. I can't recommend this game to a newcomer, although I have no doubt that a newcomer would have fun playing - so long as they play opponents of a similar level. This is because the online experience is so punishing, and at times toxic. The gameplay is great, and reminiscent of Super Smash Bros. Melee or the mod Project M. As a fan of the platform fighter genre, Rivals of Aether II is awesome, and a game I've been having a lot of fun playing. The developers seem passionate, and there has been a good flow of content thus far. Hopefully the success continues - I'm curious to see what Offbrand Games can do next.

Play it for the:

Smooth platforming movement
Unique and complex characters
Love of indie fighting games

Reviewed on 2024-12-02