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

Axiom Verge 2 PS4, a metroidvania sequel by Thomas Happ Games, ported by Sickhead Games

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, bringing Unity, Unreal, Godot, and custom engine titles to console and handheld including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS. From codebase assessment to post-launch support, we're trusted by solo indies and major publishers alike, including 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 shipped over 100 releases, among them Stardew Valley, Slay the Spire, Axiom Verge, Space Engineers, and Celeste. We specialize in bringing retro masterpieces, indie darlings, and PC classics to modern audiences like Grandia, Enclave, and Jaleco Sports titles.