We Love It's Guide to…
Elemental fighters clash in a platform brawler where character-specific moves meet parries, shields, grabs, and ledge combat.
Released 23 Oct 2024
Parry Enemy Attacks
Grab, Pummel, Throw
Fight From Ledges
Rivals of Aether II is the sequel to the hit indie fighting game, Rivals of Aether. Play as both new and returning elemental fighters in the next generation of platform fighters.
Developed by Aether Studios · Published by Aether Studios, offbrand games
Set in a world shaped by Fire, Water, Air, and Earth, Rivals of Aether II puts players in control of elemental fighters from warring civilizations.
Fights unfold in platform arenas, where players use each character’s moveset to attack, evade, and launch opponents. Combat includes parries, shields, grabs and throws, ledges, and character-specific special moves.
Players can battle other people locally or online, fight bots, or play arcade mode. The roster features returning and new fighters with distinct abilities, while matches reward learning their options and adapting to an opponent.
Reviews that praise the game often highlight its fluid movement, expressive combos, distinct character kits, and competitive depth; some also enjoy local matches with friends. Critical reviews frequently focus on floorhugging and crouch-cancel mechanics, which some players feel can let opponents counter after being hit. Others cite a steep learning curve and limited solo or casual content, while opinions on the sequel’s mechanics and online experience vary.
Rivals of Aether II is the next generation of platform fighters and multiplayer brawlers. This sequel to the hit indie fighting game Rivals of Aether is expanded and upgraded with 3D visuals, new mechanics, improved online support, and more!
The Aether Universe is a world where warring civilizations summon the power of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth - and powerful Rivals harness those powers to clobber each other! Rivals of Aether II continues the franchise’s iconic focus on competitive depth, accessible gameplay, and unforgettable characters. Whether you’re a competitive master of the genre or a newcomer looking to have fun, Rivals of Aether II delivers a fast-paced and flashy brawler experience that you won’t forget.
Rivals of Aether II features an exciting base roster of new and returning characters - with post-launch plans to add additional playable characters to the game for free! Each of these playable Rivals have an expansive moveset featuring new mechanics and special moves that are not only an upgrade over the original game, but new to the platform fighter genre as a whole. Shields, ledges, grabs and throws add new layers to the frenetic flow of combat in Rivals of Aether II. On top of that, the Pummel Special, Ledge Special, and Getup Special provide unique combat options that push the genre forward in exciting new ways.
| Platforms | Windows |
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| Achievements | 75 |
| Age ratings |
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| Players | 1–4 |
| Play modes |
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| Other modes |
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| Multiplayer | Rivals of Aether II supports online and local multiplayer focused on competitive fighting. Store features confirm Online PvP and Shared/Split Screen PvP, and multiple reviews describe 1v1, 2v2, and free-for-all play, local multiplayer, lobbies, ranked, casual matchmaking, and friend play. Tags and features indicate 4-player local play; free-for-all references support at least 4 players. |
| Multiplayer & mods | Reviews state mod support is planned or not yet available, and one review says current modability is low. No provided text confirms active multiplayer mod support or how mods function online. |
| Controller support | Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| DRM / EULA |
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| Content notices |
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| Website | Official website |
