The Axiom Verge Randomizer (And How To Play It)

First, there was the Link to the Past Randomizer. Then, the Super Metroid randomizer. And now comes Pozzum’s Axiom Verge randomizer! Since SirTapTap.com basically started out with an Axiom Verge Guide, I definitely had to check it out. (Thanks to the dev for stopping by our Discord too!)

What Is The Axiom Verge Randomizer?

If you’ve never played a Randomizer before, the basic concept is to randomize some major gameplay aspects of a classic video game to enhance replayability and provide a new challenge for players who have already beaten, 100%, or even speedrun the base game.

Randomizers make particularly exciting things to speedrun, livestream, or race due to the unpredictability. I’ve streamed the Link to the Past Randomizer in the past and I’ll be streaming the Axiom randomizer tuesday!

🔴Let's Play the Axiom Verge Randomizer!

In the case of Pozzum’s randomizer, it’s the item locations that are currently randomized. As a Metroidvania with multiple movement-based upgrades, that means how you get about the existing map can change drastically based on which items you get early (or late!).  You can also randomize the enemies, if you enjoy death.

According to Pozzum, the project is briefly on hold while they build a new PC, but it’s still being worked on. Check the Releases page on Github to see the latest changes, and report issues so Pozzum can address them.

What It Does

Basic features of the current version (0.6.1.1):

  • Creates a separate randomAV.exe file to play without breaking the base game
  • Randomizes all item locations
  • Items, especially early on, are placed somewhat to keep the game possible
    • About 25% of seeds currently are impossible to complete however
  • Option to remove temporary one-way segments in Zi and Ukkin Na from the base game
    •  This reduces the potential of impossible-to-escape situations
      • (Base game fun fact: the 1 way Zi fall isn’t actually one0way; if you savewarp you can return, a common speedrun strategy)
  • Option to randomize enemies too
    • This could get painful fast
  • Option to generate a list of spoilers for hints/etc
  • Optional Practice mode which gives all weapons/upgrades in early rooms to allow you to try out odd combinations to get used to gear you wouldn’t normally use early game

How To Get The Axiom Verge Randomizer

You only need two things: a current Steam copy of Axiom Verge, and the randomizer itself, which is free on Github. Epic Games Store’s version of the game will be supported soon, but doesn’t work currently.

Note the program generates an alternate  executable file for AV rather than altering your “clean” copy directly. Your “clean” game and randomizer share save files though, so be careful with them. You can copy and paste your save folder if you need more save slots or want to protect your pre-randomization saves.

If you don’t have Axiom Verge on PC, it’s actually free on Epic Games Store from now until Feb  21st 2019, so grab it quick! As said above, it won’t work yet, but you should be able to get it soon. Use that time to practice the base game.

Step by Step Install
  1. Install Axiom Verge from Steam
  2. Download the randomizer
  3. Extract the randomizer somewhere you can find it (desktop etc)
  4. Run AxiomRandomizer.exe
  5. Let it move it’s files to Appdata when it asks (avoids permissions issues)
  6. The app will ask for your Axiom Verge installation file, you can find it by right clicking Axiom Verge’s entry in Steam, going to properties >  Local Files > Browse Local Files… then selecting Axiomverge.exe
  7. Now you’ll get the Randomizer’s main UI and can make a seed!
  8. The first time you run it, you’ll have to manually run “randomAV.exe” within the Axiom Verge folder (find it via step 6) to get it to run, the run button in the randomizer won’t work the first time because of security stuff.
  9. Start a new save file and you’re playing AV Randomized!

What To Know

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Axiom Verge Guide, Maps, & Walkthrough

This guide includes a full, spoiler free walkthrough for Axiom Verge for PS4, PS Vita, PC, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, Xbox One, all the things really. It includes maps to help you 100% the game, and assorted tips to help you through the game including item descriptions and special “cheat” passcodes.

As always if you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comments section at the bottom! I read all my comments and update all my guides regardless of age if new info comes in.

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Axiom Verge Review

Platforms: PS4 (March 31st), PC and Vita versions coming in the months after.

A review copy of this game was provided free of charge by the developer and played on PS4. This review will be spoiler free, showing only images of things already “spoiled” by official sources. I strongly recommend avoiding spoilers. For players who have already played, I will be putting out a spoilerific guide on launch day.

It’s an unfortunately common reaction to look at the first screens of Axiom Verge and think, “yeah, that’s a Metroid clone”. But while the inspiration is quite heavy and quite shamelessly apparent, it’s a big mistake to dismiss Axiom Verge as a mere clone. Digging under the surface, Axiom Verge does it’s Metroid roots proud emerging with it’s own identity and simply of the finest Metroidvania games there is. Yes, I’m including Super and SoTN in that.

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