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!

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

Install Axiom Verge from Steam Download the randomizer Extract the randomizer somewhere you can find it (desktop etc) Run AxiomRandomizer.exe Let it move it’s files to Appdata when it asks (avoids permissions issues) 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 Now you’ll get the Randomizer’s main UI and can make a seed! 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. Start a new save file and you’re playing AV Randomized!

What To Know

Like any randomizer, it helps to have intimate knowledge of the base game before even attempting to play a randomizer. I strongly suggest at least doing a 100% playthrough of the game on Normal difficulty.

My Axiom Verge Guide should provide a lot of help both for the main game and the randomizer. The collection points for items are the same, so the “metroid style” map still applies to randomizer, you just don’t know what items you’ll get. Progression through the game should be (very) roughly similar, as it’s designed to not let you get stuck (but again, about 25% of seeds are currently impossible).

Knowing the base game very well will help you determine if the seed is genuinely broken or if you can still make progress. Remember that optional items may have been replaced with mandatory ones, so grab every item as soon as it’s convenient.

Familiarize yourself with the game’s weapons since there are a few minor puzzles early game which may require inventive use of weapons to get past, different from how the base game works (for instance, any wall-piercing weapon can replace the Kilver).

Addendum

Axiom Verge 100% guide by SirTapTap

100% Speedrun guide by AcidKru

Speedrun Discord, Guides & times on Speedrun.com

Speedrun tutorial by BlueyLewis

Axiom Verge’s first TAS by Clément Gallet

Support SirTapTap and these guides and articles on Patreon!

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