KEY POINTS

  • A sequel to the action platformer "Axiom Verge" was revealed today during the Nintendo Indie World stream.
  • The game has been four years in the making. 
  • It's planned for release on Nintendo Switch in fall 2020.
  • There will be a swath of new additions to the game world.

During the most recent Indie World video game presentation from Nintendo, "Axiom Verge 2" made its debut. The sequel to a beloved action-platformer for the PlayStation 4 and myriad other consoles took viewers by surprise.

Thomas Happ Games' sequel looks like it's expanded quite a bit from the previous Metroidvania-styled adventure. It's been in the works for four long years, and viewers got a quick look at the game during Nintendo's last Indie World showcase of the year.

The game follows the character Indra, a mysterious new character that expands on the story told in the original "Axiom Verge," with several new powers, enemies and other items to explore. The new world looks to be something like an alternate vision of Earth, and it's rife with lakes, deserts and mountain chains.

You can break urns to find powers and abilities, use a light compass to get around and hack enemy drones for your own nefarious purposes. Additionally, you can save your game at a special "save shrine" that plants a tiny seed to let you come back to life should you happen to pass around.

"Axiom Verge" is an exemplary part of the indie game landscape, and fans typically praise it for its excellence, especially since it brings to mind games like "Castlevania: Symphony of the Night" and "Metroid," both beloved titles throughout the history of video games. It looks like the sequel is going to follow in the original game's footsteps and please those who have been looking forward to another game in the series.

Given that the year's almost out, however, and there aren't any major gaming events on the horizon until next year after "The Game Awards," any updates on "Axiom Verge 2" will have to wait until we're well into 2020. Fans will have to wait and see.