History VideoGame / AxiomVerge

* CombatTentacles: The Bioflux Accelerator upgrades cause either 2 or 4 tentacles that fire shots whenever Trace does to pop out from Trace's back.

* ChainReactionDestruction: Bosses usually go out in one of these, followed by [[SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome their sprite breaking apart and smearing in a paintlike fashion]].

* GameplayAndStoryIntegration: When you die for the first time, you are brought back to the last SavePoint and are told that you have been revived, much to Trace's confusion. [[spoiler:Since you happen to be a clone, this is easy to do.]]

* VideogameFlamethrowersSuck: Mostly averted. The flamethrower has a fairly short range, but not short enough to truly stand out, and the damage it deals on that range is very high. It's also the only wall-piercing weapon with a decent range, which is extremely useful in the endgame.

* SpeedRunReward: There is an achievement called Overclocked for completing the game in 4 hours or less.

* SpeedRun: The game includes a Speed Run mode available from the beginning. Randomized events and story elements are completely absent, and a timer is placed at the top of the screen, with the end of each boss battle serving as a checkpoint. One of the MultipleEndings in story mode is also seen if the game is completed in under four hours.

* BittersweetEnding: Finishing the game with HundredPercentCompletion (Or just beating the game normally on the Wii U version) presents you with a few extra scenes after the credits, showing that [[spoiler:Athetos somehow appears on Earth, healthy and hale but still aged, and shoots Trace with a pistol after telling him to "wake up".]] It can come up as [[spoiler:a cliché, dramatic cliffhanger to most players, but when you consider this, combined with the fact that [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture the whole game is set in circa 2105]] [[ALongTimeAgoInAGalaxyFarFarAway in an hidden corner of the galaxy]] where "going back" or even "going to" was being purposefully impossible to do, shows that returning to Earth was a false promise by the Rusalki. And the scenes during the credits that show Trace still on Sudran, in a coma state makes much more sense when you remember some of the notes scattered around and the conversations between the Rusalki stating Veruska's ability to induce [[LotusEaterMachine "dream algorithms"]] on others...]] That's when things get scarier to think about.

''Axiom Verge 2'', a NonLinearSequel within the same setting, featuring a new protagonist in a new world, is currently set to be released as a UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch exclusive in Fall 2020.

Follow-ups to the game are planned, including prequels and sequels. ''Axiom Verge 2'' is planned for the Nintendo Switch, at least, with a release date of Fall 2020.

Follow-ups to the game are planned, including prequels and sequels.

* EvilVersusEvil: As you progress through the game and discover more about Sudrans' history ([[spoiler:they became a xenophobic, EvilLuddite race that halted all scientific progress and as result, their civilization fell into ruin long before Athetos showed up]]), it really makes the player wonder if the Rusalki are as innocent as they claim to be. [[spoiler:The fact that Elsenova threatens you into cooperating with them to take down Athetos, then lying to you that she will spare him if you defeat him (only to go back on her word and blast him) doesn't help them much either. It's actually debatable if they even returned Trace to Earth, as promised, or just left him in a comatose state, considering that Veruska's specialty is "inducing dream algorhytms"...]] And then there is this line from Athetos: [[spoiler:"If I tell you too much, your captors will have to kill you."]]

* BigGood: Ophelia appears to be this among Rusalki, as she demonstrates a benevolent, supportive personality towards Trace, compared to Elsenova who kills him the moment he hesitates to help them.[[spoiler: There are some hints, however, that she's not as benevolent as she presents herself to be.]]
* BittersweetEnding: Finishing the game with HundredPercentCompletion (Or just beating the game normally on the Wii U version) presents you with a few extra scenes after the credits, showing that [[spoiler: Athetos somehow appears on Earth, healthy and hale but still aged, and shoots Trace with a pistol after telling him to "wake up".]] It can come up as [[spoiler:a cliché, dramatic cliffhanger to most players, but when you consider this, combined with the fact that [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture the whole game is set in circa 2105]] [[ALongTimeAgoInAGalaxyFarFarAway in an hidden corner of the galaxy]] where "going back" or even "going to" was being purposefully impossible to do, shows that returning to Earth was a false promise by the Rusalki. And the scenes during the credits that show Trace still on Sudran, in a coma state makes much more sense when you remember some of the notes scattered around and the conversations between the Rusalki stating Veruska's ability to induce [[LotusEaterMachine "dream algorithms"]] on others...]] That's when things get scarier to think about.

* EvilVersusEvil: As you progress through the game and discover more about Sudrans' history ([[spoiler: they became a xenophobic, EvilLuddite race that halted all scientific progress and as result, their civilization fell into ruin long before Athetos showed up]]), it really makes the player wonder if the Rusalki are as innocent as they claim to be. [[spoiler: The fact that Elsenova threatens you into cooperating with them to take down Athetos, then lying to you that she will spare him if you defeat him (only to go back on her word and blast him) doesn't help them much either. It's actually debatable if they even returned Trace to Earth, as promised, or just left him in a comatose state, considering that Veruska's specialty is "inducing dream algorhytms"...]] And then there is this line from Athetos: [[spoiler:"If I tell you too much, your captors will have to kill you."]]

* {{Foreshadowing}}: [[spoiler: Early on in the game, it's possible to see a hallucination version of Trace enter the uppermost door in one of vertical corridors in Zi. It serves as hint that he's already began to suffer from the effects of pathogen that Athetos has released, and it finally kicks in full force when Trace enters Ukkin-Na. This also foreshadows that Trace is a clone of Athetos/prime Trace.]]

** Worth noting that an alternate translation of "Athetos" is "abrogate", to do away with or nullify something. [[spoiler: Very much an indicator of how despised Trace's theories were, and what he'd go on to do to get Sudran technology.]]

** One of the passwords you can enter is [[spoiler: JUSTIN BAILEY, which puts Trace into a bodysuit]] like in ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}''.

* TrappedInAnotherWorld: The premise of the story. Trace finds himself in a strange new world following a lab accident. [[spoiler: Though it is later revealed that the lab accident had nothing to do with him being transported to the other world.]]

* BittersweetEnding: Finishing the game with HundredPercentCompletion (Or just beating the game normally on the Wii U version) presents you with a few extra scenes after the credits, showing that [[spoiler: Athetos somehow appears on Earth, healthy and hale but still aged, and shoots Trace with a pistol after telling him to "wake up".]]
** It can come up as [[spoiler:a cliché, dramatic cliffhanger to most players, but when you consider this, combined with the fact that [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture the whole game is set in circa 2105]] [[ALongTimeAgoInAGalaxyFarFarAway in an hidden corner of the galaxy]] where "going back" or even "going to" was being purposefully impossible to do, shows that returning to Earth was a false promise by the Rusalki. And the scenes during the credits that show Trace still on Sudran, in a coma state makes much more sense when you remember some of the notes scattered around and the conversations between the Rusalki stating Veruska's ability to induce [[LotusEaterMachine "dream algorithms"]] on others...]] Yep, long-term FridgeHorror settles in.

* JustThinkOfThePotential: [[spoiler:Athetos' whole motive for eradicating the Sudrans: They had infinitely advanced technology and he coveted it for the good of humanity. But as the Sudrans long since abolished their tech in accordance with their newfound religion and made doubly sure no outsider could also utilize it, Athetos had no other choice--If they had to die so that their technology could be utilized for the greater good, then so be it.]]

* AllJustADream: [[Spoiler:It's implied that, after killing Athetos, the Rusalki trap Trace in a dream. He believes he's back on Earth, but the journey there would basically be impossible at this point.]]

* VideogameFlamethrowersSuck: Mostly averted. The flamethrower has a fairly short range, but not short enough to truly stand out, and the damage it deals on that range is very high.

* SpaceIsolationHorror: It is an other-dimensional version, with many of the H.R. Giger-esque art styles, haunting music, and a deliberate homage to lots of ''Franchise.Metroid'''s style and gameplay.
* SpeedRun: The game includes a Speed Run mode available from the beginning. Randomized events and story elements are completely absent, and a timer is placed at the top of the screen, with the end of each boss battle serving as a checkpoint. One of the MultipleEndings in story mode is also seen if the game is completed under four hours.

* ChainReactionDestruction: Bosses usually go out in one of these, followed by [[VisualEffectsOfAwesome their sprite breaking apart and smearing in a paintlike fashion]].

* SoWhatDoWeDoNow: [[spoiler:Trace is returned to Earth sans any injuries, but can't return to a normal life because he has lingering questions about Sudra. He leaves the lab and is determined to find a way back]].
* SpaceIsolationHorror: It is an other-dimensional version, with many of the H.R. Giger-esque art styles, haunting music, and a deliberate homage to lots of ''Franchise.Metroid'''s style and gameplay.

* TheNeedsOfTheMany: [[spoiler:Athetos' motivation for releasing the pathogen on Sudra. The Sudrans possessed incredible technology, but was very reluctant to share it, so Athetos decided to wipe them how to be able to share the technology with humanity]].

* TrappedInAnotherWorld: The premise of the story. Trace finds himself in a strange new world following a lab accident.

** Daraga (the small ship flying around in upper Ukkin-Na) is actually a minor Rusalki, implying there are more kinds of Rusalki than the giant woman robots.

** Oracca's (the Rusalki that carries Trace around in Indi) reveals that she was imprisoned in Indi and driven insane because of the long years in isolation. She is mute, which is why she doesn't talk to Trace at all during the game.

* UniqueEnemy: The Annihiwaiter, which appears in a single area in Ukkin-Na. It's sole purpose is to be used as a CraniumRide.