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About a decade or so back, a little rhythmic ribbon racer was announced for Xbox. It was a game from a new development team, albeit one with a past, genre-rich, history. A game that then launched on Xbox One in 2017 to widespread acclaim, powered by some bass-thumping tunes, tight gameplay and gorgeous visuals. It was safe to say that Mad Fellows were on to a winner with their debut game, Aaero.
In fact, I fell for Aaero in a massive way. I loved it then, I still love it now, and it’s the reason I have an Aaero playlist on YouTube Music. To this day, it is still the one and only game playlist that I have ever curated and continue to listen to.
And so Aaero2 was always going to be a bit of a love affair for this gamer, even if that gamer was getting on for a decade older, reactions waning, gaming habits changing. But believe me when I say this, Aaero2 is a stunning sequel; a game that continues the addiction that was formed way back when. If I’m still playing this in another decade or so, I’ll be more than happy.
Aaero2 is a super simple game to explain. You take on the role of a little ship, hurtling through time and space, navigating your way through the most strange of alien worlds, all intent on surviving long enough to reach a level end. But surviving is far from easy, with environmental hazards needing to be dodged, enemy ships popping up from nowhere, missiles flying towards you.
This is where the ship’s responsive controls come into play. For the most part this means continuing along a ribbon of light, tracing your way through the various worlds, powering up the energy found within the music that pounds. Keep that ship on the straight and narrow (or, as most often seems to be the case, the twisty and turny) and you’ll gain points, building combos as you go. Move away from that musical ribbon and Aaero2 will slowly and surely come to a halt; level failed, left to restart, honing skills at another time.
There are things that break up that ribbon racing. Enemy ships attempt to make your life hell, and so fighting back against those is a key component to the game. Whether it be missiles that you need to lock on, timed with the tunes, or via a fast-firing heavy cannon, taking down foes before they blast you is vital. That builds more as occasional boss creatures pop up, each with their own unique tactics and strategic calls.
Frankly, Aaero2 is a game that demands your skills come to the fore; a game that urges you to try and try again, failing, learning, repeating, succeeding. Do so, earn stars, gather up points and further levels and stages open up, each powered by its own unique tune. Throw in the odd collectible that needs hunting down – yep, as you try and nail the basics, Mad Fellows want you to keep an eye out for other things too! – and you’ve got a game that is pretty much built on the need to replay.
There’s no doubt that this is an extremely heavy skill-based game, but even if you find yourself holding up the online leaderboards, it’s still one that provides an absolute ton of fun, huge enjoyment as you increase your skills, opening up new game aspects and proving yourself to the world.
It’s nice then that Mad Fellows have included a variety of difficulty settings in Aaero2. For many, the standard, Normal, levels should well suffice, but unlock enough stars and both Advanced and Master elements become unlocked and available to play. Think of these as the super intense offerings found in something like Guitar Hero or Rock Band; levels that only the most skilled of players, those seen as non-human to many, can handle and you’ll be in about the right ball park here. If you’re that way inclined, you’ll discover new stars to go chasing, as magnetic assistance is removed, ribbons become more complex and enemies are plentiful. For us, we were tempted by the ‘Chillout’ option, and that’s a great way of just passing the time, kicking back as your skills grow, learning level intricacies and game know-how.
Again, much like the original game, Aaero2 looks the bomb. It’s super bright, brilliantly colourful and full of what you need from any such game. It’s Tron-like in feel, as you race towards your endgoals, attempting to stay tight to the ribbons of light with all your might. And it’s all super clear and well detailed too, especially some of the giant creatures that try and get in your way.
Of course, for any such game that works the rhythm perspective, it has to be utterly smooth too, and whilst there’s most definitely a learning curve to the placement of your ship and control of your weaponry, what may initially feel like a stuttery start soon gives way to an ever-flowing delight; a game that plays without as much as a hiccup. And it’s just as buttery when playing in multiplayer too, whether that be locally or online, in PvP or co-op. Aaero2 really comes alive with that multiplayer angle, as two ships take to the screen, competing against each other in King of the Hill aspects, or working together through cooperative play. What’s nice is that this opens up all locked aspects of Aaero2 as well, so if you want to test the madness of the Master levels…
And then we have the tunes. Mad Fellows have worked with Monstercat to deliver a fully licensed soundtrack for Aaero2; full of dubstep, EDM and the like. I’ll admit that the genre of music used in Aaero2 wouldn’t be my very first choice for listening pleasure, but that was the same with the original Aaero and look where that soundtrack took us. It means that no matter what your musical tastes, if you like a good beat, you’re going to adore what has been put together here.
So, Aaero2 – there’s no doubt that this is a game that is right at the very top of its genre; a ribbon racer that excels in nearly every aspect. Aside from the slight lack of enthusiasm for XP gathering, daily and weekly challenges and player levels, this is a game that constantly wows – from the visuals, the mechanics, the premise and the sounds.
If you have any liking for the original game, or other musical masterpieces like AVICII Invector, Aaero2 should be seen as a must-play. Fire it up, feel the beat and immerse yourself in the glorious ribbon racing of Aaero2 with immediate effect.
Aaero2 Blasts onto Xbox Series X|S with a Soundtrack-Driven Sensory Overload – https://www.thexboxhub.com/aaero-2-blasts-onto-xbox-series-xs-with-a-soundtrack-driven-sensory-overload/
Buy Aaero2 on Xbox now – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/aaero2/9n0j8k190gr4