This creates a meta game of not only attacking other players but also affecting the arena itself.
In addition to fighting game-style moves, characters can also use elemental-based attacks or passive abilities that also affect the stage. Each character must try to knock the others out of a two-dimensional arena. Rivals of Aether is the spiritual sequel to Super Smash Land, a fan-made remake of Super Smash Bros., and therefore its gameplay mechanics are heavily based on the latter game.
A sequel to the original game, Rivals 2, is currently planned for 2024. A spin-off comic series, Tales of Aether, was also released in 2021, detailing the backstory of the game. Rivals of Aether received several spin-off video games: a dating sim, Lovers of Aether, released for PC on Apand iOS on Ja deck-building game, Creatures of Aether, released for iOS and Android on September 28, 2020, and for PC on Augand the roguelike Dungeons of Aether, released for PC and Nintendo Switch in 2023. It received positive reception from critics, who commended its deep gameplay. Rivals of Aether is a platform fighter game created by Dan Fornace, and released for Microsoft Windows in March 2017, for Xbox One in August 2017, and for Nintendo Switch in September 2020.
