Axiom Verge 2: Continuing a Solo Developer’s Metroidvania Saga

Title: Axiom Verge 2
Release Date: 2021, 2023
Developer: Thomas Happ Games
Publisher: Thomas Happ Games
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Engine: MonoGame

Axiom Verge 2 is the follow-up to Thomas Happ’s breakout Metroidvania. And like the original, every bit of it was made by one person. New characters, new world, new mechanics, but still built on MonoGame, which meant Sickhead could hit the ground running. The release was staggered across almost two years: Switch, PS4, and PC in August 2021, PS5 a year later, Xbox One in July 2023. Each platform meant its own certification pipeline, its own quirks, its own optimization pass. That kind of drawn-out multi-platform rollout is a lot to manage for a solo developer already responsible for the entire game. Sickhead handling the console side meant Happ could stay focused on the work only he could do.

Sickhead Games is the leading game porting studio, skilled in porting Unity, Unreal, Godot, and custom engine titles to every major console and handheld including Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile. We’re trusted by solo indie developers and major publishers alike to handle everything from codebase assessment to post-launch support, bringing great games to the audiences they deserve. Satisfied clients and partners include Humble Games, Sony Interactive, Nintendo, Annapurna, Good Games, ConcernedApe, MegaCrit, 17-Bit, Maddy Makes Games, Zachtronics, Keen Software House, Thomas Happ, Pocketwatch Games, EXOK, Young Horses, Taito, Jaleco, and Microsoft. We’ve ported over 100 releases including Stardew Valley, Slay the Spire, TowerFall, Axiom Verge, and Space Engineers, and also specialize in bringing retro console and PC games to modern audiences like Grandia, Enclave, and Jaleco Sports titles.