Developer: Aether Studios
Publisher: Aether Studios, offbrand games
Free Steam Next Fest Demo: Oct 14 – 21, 2024
Release: Oct 23, 2024
Platform: Steam
Genre: Platform Fighter
Price: $29.99 USD and region specific pricing
Era Discord: Rivals of Era
View: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2217000/Rivals_of_Aether_II/
Steam Next Fest Demo:
From October 14th 10am PT - October 21st 10am PT, Rivals of Aether II will be FREE to try out as part of the Steam Next Fest. While this will not be the full launch version of the game, it will come with all 10 launch characters. Character progression will carry over to the full game.
Rivals:
Click on each Rival to see a brief description of them and their special moves.
Gameplay:
Rivals II New player guide is available here
Much like the original game, each Rivals moveset is built around a specific elemental ability. Some Rivals will be able to provide increased attack properties, oppressive stage control, or increased movement options when using specific elemental moves. Master your elemental ability to ensure victory.
Parry: The main defensive mechanic from Rivals of Aether returns. Parry's allow you to stun the opponent, and reflect projectiles. Can be bound to a single button or shield + special.
Shield: Making its debut in the Rivals series, shields provide additional defensive options and are safer to use than parry's. Just be careful you
Grabs: Completing the trio of attack, and shields, grabs are now available for all rivals. Unlike other platform fighters, mashing does not help you escape. Instead, there is a rock/paper/scissors mechanic. When grabbed you have the option for throwing, pummels, and the new special pummel mechanic. Special pummels provide unique gimmicks and use the special button while grabbing. However pummels and special pummels can be broken if the opponent presses the same button choice that the grabbing rival uses, meaning grabs can be a 50/50 guess if you choose to pummel. You also have the option to throw opponents in one of four directions, which cannot be guessed. All of this provides more mind games in a match, risk using your special pummel for an advantage, or regular pummel for more damage? Or just play it safe and throw the moment you get a grab, the choice is yours.
Ledge: The ledge mechanic makes its Rivals debut, and works similar to classic platform fighters. Grab the ledge and opponents will have to force you off it before they grab on. From the ledge you can also use new ledge special attacks, more powerful, but also more punishable options for you to attack from the ledge.
Getup attacks: The last new section to get a special attack, getup specials provide additional options for you when knocked down and you didn't have time to tech, and don't want to roll.
Features:
-Sever based rollback netcode for 1v1, 2v2, and Free for all matches
-Online will have matchmaking, lobbies, and tournament modes
-Training system will hitboxes, frame data, and savestates
-Single player arcade mode: fight against opponents in a variety of challenges
-Characters can level up through all game modes, graining experience points and currency to unlock cosmetics
-Completely free monthly battle passes
Cosmetics and Ingame currencies:
View: https://youtu.be/1cxwb5gVH8c
TLDR: There is free currency, and purchasable currency, which can be acquired for free in limited quantities. Free seasonal events will occur, but once end will be available to acquire with the free currency.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Will there be guest characters?
A: The developers are not currently planning any guest characters, however this is a long-term goal of the project.
Q: What is the server based rollback netcode?
A: Rivals of Ather II uses SnapNet, a server-based rollback netcode solution built by High Horse Entertainment. With SnapNet, you'll be able to have more stable 1v1 matches and much better support for lobbies over 2 players. You'll be able to play 2v2 or FFA without having to worry about one player dragging the experience down for everyone.
Q: Will there be mod support?
A: Not at launch, but the devs hope to add support in the future.
Q: Wasn't this called Rivals 2?
A: It was for a time, and many people may still end up calling it that, but this little game was announced called Marvel Rivals, and they didn't want to steal their thunder.
Q: I play other platform fighters, who should I play in Rivals?
A: Rivals II has a mix of characters very similar to other games, but also their own unique characters. Below is a quick summary of similar characters and/or gameplay styles that I believe may be helpful for those not familiar with the cast.
Zetterburn: Wolf and Fox - Melee/PM
Forsburn: Stealth and deception
Clarien: Marth - Melee
Loxodont: King Dedede
Kragg: Heavy
Maypul: Rushdown
Wrastor: Jigglypuff, Metaknight
Fleet: Projectile Zoner, PM Pit
Orcane: Trickster/Zoning, elements of PM Ivysaur
Ranno: Sheik - Melee
Q: What future characters are planned to appear?
A: It has already been confirmed that the winner of the Rivals Workshop contest will be added to Rivals II. Initial details of their model have already been shown, but they will not be part of the initial year of post-launch content. Elatus has been shown as a model in early development. Aside from that, we can expect many of the existing Rivals of Ather characters to return. Previous dev talks and tournaments has stated they wish to have 4 characters added each year.
Q: What is the ranked mode?
A: The game will launch with what they call a "light ranked" mode which will have regular soft resets, plans are still underway to fully expand the ranked mode with rewards.
Q: Will this game replace the original Rivals of Aether, or should I bother with the original?
A: The nice thing about Rivals II is that it is mechanically different from the first game. The original game will still have its fans, and I recommend you try it out if you haven't already. The Steam version will continue to have fan mods, and you can try some of the original cast before the appear in Rivals II. Shovel Knight and Ori may also be exclusive to the original.
Q: What other Aether games are there.
A: Aside from Rivals of Aether, there is also Dungeons of Aether, Fleet's debut game. There is also the free Creatures of Aether, a Triple Triad-like game, and finally the iconic Lovers of Aether dating game.