Key points
- Rivals of Aether 2 launches on Steam, delivering on the promised content.
- The new game retains the classic characters, but introduces new mechanics such as grappling and shields.
- Future plans for Rivals of Aether 2 include expansions such as ranked play, tutorials, and more levels.
On September 18, 2024, platform fighting game fans were delighted to see the Steam release date announcement for Rivals of Aether 2. Known for the last three years as Rivals 2the game has been renamed to better align with the existing one Ether universe of games, comics and other products, and to improve their visibility in the face of the impending Marvel RivalsAlthough this was an unexpected change, Rivals of Aether 2 It has otherwise kept to the one-year roadmap proposed in its November 2023 Kickstarter campaign and should launch with everything it promised.
Returning to the Ether universe, players will once again take control of magical champions representing the realms of Fire, Wind, Earth, and Water. The main heroes have been left stranded in the ominous Abyss and Rivals of Aether 2The planned multi-chapter story mode will show how they escape and what happens next. In addition, the new server-based rollback netcode should ensure smooth matches for any combination of two or four players. Rivals of Aether 2 looks like a great addition to the platform fighting genre, though there are some reservations about what exactly will be available when it launches on October 23.
The starting roster of Rivals of Aether 2
In a fighting game, little is more important than a cast of compelling characters, and Rivals of Aether 2 offers a strong starting cast:
- Burn the zetters
- Ranna
- Frightening
- Kragg
- Fleet
- Beetle
- Clear
- Loxodont
- Orcagna
- Forsburn
With Steam Workshop contest winner La Reina and more joining in the future, all at no additional cost to owners, Rivals 2 already has a powerful looking roster. Eight of those fighters come from the first Rivals of the Ethera remarkable number considering it only had 18 characters. Newcomers Loxodont, a villain teased throughout the series, and Fleet, the Steam Deck-verified protagonist Aether Dungeonfor now let's wrap things up in style.
What's New in Rivals of Aether 2
Supporting these fighters are a series of new mechanics designed to make Rivals 2 the next evolution of platform fighters. In addition to new 3D visuals, voice acting, and SnapNet rollback netcode, Rivals of Aether 2 introduced several common mechanics of the genre that its predecessor had deliberately omitted, including ledge grabs, grabs in general, and defensive shields. Not content to just reflect Super Smash Bros.However, Rivals 2 It also introduces the special moves Pummel, Ledge and Getup for each character, making this game one of the most complex fighting platformers ever.
What Rivals of Aether 2 kept and left behind
Much of this complexity is due to poor mechanics. Rivals of Aether 2 left behind. Parries, hitfalling, wavedashing, and more are back, and the game will launch with five starting levels and five counterattack levels to ensure it gets off to a flying start. Unfortunately, aside from an improved training mode, that’s about it for the returning features. Rivals of the AetherThe popular Steam Workshop integration is something the developers have acknowledged but can’t commit to just yet, and several other features have already been pushed back to future updates.
Rivals of Aether 2's Future Plans
Various official statements, including some unmet Kickstarter goals, imply that much of Rivals 2Content will arrive post-launch. Ranked online play, character tutorials, an arcade mode, a chapter-based action platformer story mode, and even console ports are potential later additions, making even its indie price tag seem pretty steep. Fortunately, many of the cosmetics, including palettes, costumes, emotes, and more, will be distributed over the game's lifespan using a live service model and are intended to fund its ambitious long-term goals. It's a risky venture, but if Rivals of Aether 2It's as good as its constant betas and demos make it seem, so platform fighting game fans may find it entertaining for years to come.
