In the era of imitation instead of originality and innovation, Aaero 2: Black Razor Edition launches to much intrigue. Is this rhythm based shooter a hit? Or should it have been left on the cutting floor?
Fight Or Die For The Beat
Over the years, I have found a real addiction to rhythm based games and how they invoke this obsessive completionism within me. In particular, I fell in love with the Invector games which, in my opinion, are some of the best rhythm games ever made. The combination of having a ship to control whilst also having to correctly hit buttons to the musical beat is a simple concept, yet so wonderfully addictive. So you can imagine my excitement when developers Mad Fellows and publishers Wired Productions announced Aaero 2 was coming to PS5 as the Black Razor Edition. I never managed to play the original Aaero, a sleeper hit for those who played, but I’m beyond grateful I have managed to play the second game; Aaero 2 absolutely rules!
Originally released on PC and Xbox Series in 2024, this Black Razor Edition adds the Arcade Paradise and Lania Kea music packs to create the true definitive version of the game. Right off the bat, it’s important to understand your expectations with this game when it comes to narrative; Aaero 2 is extremely bare on narrative, but dripping with atmosphere. You control a ship that is chartering alien planets whilst engaging in combat with alien vessels and technology – it’s literally that simple. The developers have chosen to display story through visuals, showcasing each level and planet as different from the other through the alien architecture littered throughout the levels.
Boss encounters serve as the finale to some of these mysterious worlds, which escalates tension and the stakes for the player as they shoot and navigate through these worlds. Each track that accompanies the 20 original levels feels uniquely showcased through enemy design and visuals. If you are looking for a rich story, this game is not for you. Gameplay is the clear focus and my god is it fun!
When The Rhythm, Rhythm Starts To Play
What Aaero 2 sets out to do as a rhythm based shooter, it succeeds and then some. It really feels like the developers are inviting you to physically become the music through your spaceship in each level. Every level is designed and built in association with a track which is represented by glowing lines or beams of light; these beams trace the melodies and vocals throughout the level, whilst being surrounded within a circular zone. You have to navigate these environments using the left stick to guide the ship along these beams, thus playing the music. The more precise you are with your navigation of the beams, the higher your score will be. A simple yet utterly satisfying concept.
What sets this game apart from other rhythm games is how it blends the combat seamlessly in with traversal. While you are navigating the environment, enemies will begin to swarm onto the screen at certain parts of the level; this is where the right stick comes into play as you aim your missiles then squeezing the trigger to fire at them. It feels like an intricate and tense dance between ship and enemies, which is truly mesmerizing at times. You have to time everything in this game and, whilst at first it will feel daunting and overwhelming, when the gameplay clicks, it’s beyond addictive – I couldn’t wait to try another level and beat my high score.
When the gameplay clicks, so begins the vast amount of replay ability on offer in Aaero 2. There are four distinct difficulty pre-sets which are unlocked as you gain more and more stars from each level, culminating with the master difficulty, which truly tests your prowess in shooting and movement. There are also red orbs serving as collectibles for the player to find throughout each level. Everything in this game invokes replay ability, whether it’s daily or weekly challenges, xp levelling system or the addition of multiplayer compared to the first title.
Multiplayer really elevates the game to new heights and drastically alters gameplay. The game sports co-op and PvP modes that are available both locally and online. Co-op splits the beams and enemies and organises them by colour, which forces the two players to communicate and cooperate their way around the obstacles whilst trying to build a high score. PvP adds the competitive aspect as you battle another player with the environment split to avoid conflict; it’s a battle of skill, not a direct faceoff where one mistake could be fatal. This is a fantastic addition to an already superb gameplay loop.
A Fist Pumping, Headbanging Delight
When it comes to the visuals of Aaero 2, the game delivers for the most part, with some slightly uneven moments. Every level is full of vast amounts of colour and superb lighting; each level is unique from the next with detailed open environments to underground haunting facilities. The boss designs look daunting and huge in scale, as they tower over the small ship the player operates. Whilst most levels look great, some background areas can look blurry and blocky at times, taking you out of the moment but these are minor issues. Menus and the UI are as basic as they get, but this does not take away from the wonder of this game. The way in which colour is used and deployed in this game will stay with me for a long time.
Along with great visuals is a superb audio design that perfectly complements the gameplay; missile strikes, explosions and cannon fire are woven so beautifully into the game alongside the music. It also helps with the difficulty and timing, as the sound is so crisp it can help you master the deft timing you need on the higher levels. Finally, the soundtrack – my god, the soundtrack! These songs are the core of the game and they propel this game from good to great. It features a wonderful mix of artists, ranging from Monstercat alumni such as MUZZ and Bossfight, alongside new tracks from Black Razor Records and Lania Kea. These tracks range from synth pop to arcade beats; if you have played Beat Saber, this is right up your alley. The tracks make the game explode with life, making this a truly mesmerizing experience.
Verdict
If you are looking for the definitive way to play Aaero 2, look no further than the Black Razor Edition; a superb pulsating soundtrack and addictive gameplay makes this the best rhythm shooter in years. Coupled with great multiplayer modes, great audio design and solid graphics, you have the recipe for one hell of a game. More games like this should be made and more developers should take more chances. Innovation over imitation!
