GamerVerdict

Powered by GameTrail.io

All Reviews·About·Privacy Policy·Terms·

© 2026 GamerVerdict. All rights reserved.

Contact us at support@gamerverdict.com

GamerVerdict is not affiliated with Valve Corporation. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks of Valve Corporation.

Rivals of Aether

Rivals of Aether

RIVALS OF AETHER is an indie fighting game where warring civilizations summon the power of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Play with up to four players either locally or online.

96%
Overwhelmingly Positive
DeveloperAether Studios
PublisherAether Studios
Release DateMar 28, 2017
$29.99
Peak Players2.8K
Controllerfull
PlatformsWindows
Indie
AI Review Summary

Rivals of Aether is a highly-regarded platform fighter praised for its deep mechanics and extensive Steam Workshop support, which allows for a massive roster of custom characters. While it is often seen as a more technical alternative to Super Smash Bros., some players find its high skill floor and over-engineered character designs less accessible than its inspirations.

Pros

  • Extensive Steam Workshop support provides near-infinite replayability through custom characters and stages.95%
  • Deep and polished platform fighting mechanics that reward skill and practice.85%
  • Active and dedicated community that continues to support the game with high-quality 2D spritework.75%
  • Solid single-player content including a story mode and comprehensive tutorials.65%
  • Excellent value for the price when factoring in the wealth of user-generated content.80%

Cons

  • High barrier to entry with complex mechanics like hitfalling that can feel unintuitive to newcomers.70%
  • The base game experience can feel lacking or empty without engaging with the modding community.65%
  • Some official character designs are criticized for being over-engineered or unnecessarily complex.55%
  • Workshop content is frequently dominated by memes and Smash Bros. references rather than original creations.45%

Notable Mentions

  • The game's 2D spritework is noted for being more accessible to modders than the 3D animation of its sequel.
  • Frequently cited as the best platform fighter alternative for players dissatisfied with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
  • Steam Deck compatibility is a relevant factor for a portion of the player base.
Confidence: 53%
Based on the 153 most relevant reviewsGenerated on Aug 17, 2026
Game Vitals

Live snapshot

Player Activity

Current peak
388
Peak · last 90 days
548
All-time peak
2.8K

Price

Current price
$29.99
Lowest tracked
$14.99since Jan 14, 2026

Review Sentiment

Launch week
—
Last 30 days
99%
All-time positive
96%
Review Statistics
Total Reviews38.1K
Positive: 36.6K (96%)Negative: 1.5K (4%)

6%

Reviews from Steam Deck

0%

Dev Response Rate

60h

Avg Playtime at Review

55%

Credible Reviews