It’s been a wild ride for the Aether community. Honestly, if you’d told me back in 2017 that a pixel-art indie game about elemental animals would eventually challenge the throne of platform fighters, I’d have probably just laughed. But here we are. Rivals of Aether 2 has officially landed, and it isn't just a shiny 3D coat of paint on an old engine. It’s a complete mechanical overhaul that’s making even the most die-hard Melee veterans sweat.
The game officially hit Steam on October 23, 2024, and the transition to 3D models using Unreal Engine 5 was the first thing everyone noticed. But looks are secondary. The real drama is in how the game feels.
The Shield Controversy and the Death of the "No Grabs" Era
If you played the original Rivals, you know the drill. No shields. No grabs. Just pure movement and parrying. It was fast, it was punishing, and it was unique.
Rivals of Aether 2 changed the rules.
Aether Studios, led by Dan Fornace, made a bold move by adding traditional shields and grabs. For some, it felt like the series was losing its identity to become "just another Smash clone." But after spending a few hundred hours in the lab, you realize it’s actually more complex than that. The shield isn't just a "panic button" anymore. Because the parry still exists—and it's now a 6-frame startup instead of 3—the mind games are significantly deeper.
You’ve got to choose: do you hold shield and risk a grab pummel, or do you go for the parry and risk eating a full combo if you miss?
Grabs in this game are actually pretty brutal. Unlike Smash Ultimate, where pummels are just extra damage, Rivals 2 introduces "Special Pummels." You can actually break a grab if you guess the opponent's pummel direction correctly. It’s basically a fighting game "throw tech" hidden inside a platform fighter. It keeps the tempo high even when someone is stuck in a corner.
Ledges and the Recovery Game
Another massive shift? Ledges.
The first game forced you to wall-jump or use your recovery move to get back on stage. Now, we have ledge-grabbing and ledge-hogging. This has fundamentally changed how characters like Orcane and Maypul play. You can’t just blindly teleport back to center stage anymore. You have to fight for that ledge.
Who’s on the Roster in 2026?
As of early 2026, the roster is expanding at a steady clip. Aether Studios has stuck to their promise of keeping all post-launch character updates free, which is a breath of fresh air compared to the $30 season passes we see everywhere else.
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The newest face on the block is La Reina, the wrestling bug. She officially joined the squad on January 6, 2026, after winning the fan-voted Workshop contest. She’s a heavy-hitter with a "Crowd Magnet" mechanic that makes her feel unlike anyone else in the cast.
Here’s who you’re looking at right now:
- Returning Vets: Zetterburn, Clairen, Forsburn, Maypul, Wrastor, Ranno, Kragg, Orcane, Absa, and Etalus.
- Newcomers: Fleet (the archer from Dungeons of Aether) and Loxodont (the massive elephant king).
- The Workshop Winner: La Reina.
The developers have mentioned they eventually want to bring back the entire "original 14" from the first game, but they’re also mixing in brand-new archetypes. Rumor has it a "beginner-friendly" character designed by Dan himself is coming later this year.
Competitive Stakes: Evo 2026 and Beyond
The sweat is real. Rivals of Aether 2 is officially making its MainStage debut at Evo 2026. This is a massive milestone. It’s currently competing for viewership and registration numbers against giants like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.
The competitive community is thriving because the netcode is actually good. While Smash players are still struggling with Nintendo’s laggy online infrastructure, Rivals 2 uses high-level rollback netcode. It makes a difference. You can actually play a set against someone three states away without feeling like you're playing underwater.
Why You Might (Or Might Not) Like It
Let’s be real for a second. This game is harder than Smash.
There is no "auto-ledge" snapping. There is very little input buffering. If you mess up a recovery, you’re probably going to die. It’s a game that respects your technical skill, but it can be incredibly frustrating if you’re coming from a more casual background.
The 2.5D visuals are hit or miss for some. While the animations are fluid, some fans miss the charm of the original's pixel art. But the trade-off is better hitboxes and more visual clarity for complex moves.
Performance and Specs
If you’re worried about whether your PC can handle it, the requirements aren't too crazy for a 2026 title.
- You’ll want at least 8GB of RAM.
- An NVIDIA GTX 1060 or equivalent is basically the baseline.
- It takes up about 20GB of space.
It also runs surprisingly well on the Steam Deck, which is great for labbing combos while you're on the couch.
How to Get Started
If you’re looking to dive in, don’t just jump into Ranked. You will get cooked.
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- Hit the Tutorials: Seriously. They actually explain "Crouch Canceling" and "ASDI," which are vital for survival.
- Learn the Pummel System: Practice guessing the grab breaks. It’ll save your life against Loxodont players.
- Master Wavedashing: It’s easier here than in Melee, but it’s still the primary way to move around the stage.
- Join the Discord: The community is where the real knowledge is.
Keep an eye on the official Aether Studios roadmap. With four characters planned per year, the meta is going to keep shifting. Whether you’re a Melee purist or just someone tired of Nintendo’s online lag, this sequel is proving it has the legs to stay in the ring for years.
Next Steps for Players:
Check your Steam library for the latest 1.0.x balance patch to see how your main was adjusted before the next major tournament. If you haven't yet, download the La Reina update—it’s free and she’s currently dominating the mid-range meta.