Absolver

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 9,170 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Absolver Game Cover
Combining unique and rewarding combat with the freedom to explore its beautiful areas in any order you see fit, Absolver is one of the best adventures of the year.
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In "Absolver: Digital Deluxe Edition", become an Absolver and engage in intense combat in theAdalian Mines, either solo or in online cooperative play, with the new Faejin Combat Style. This expansion, "Absolver: Downfall", offers a new game mode, a new combat style, school challenges, and additional gear. The package also includes an official soundtrack and a digital artbook.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,170 reviews
story254 positive mentions
grinding303 negative mentions
  • story1,815 mentions

    The story in "Absolver" is widely criticized for being extremely short, often completed in just 3-6 hours, and lacking depth or engagement. Many players describe it as more of a tutorial than a fully fleshed-out narrative, with minimal dialogue and a vague plot that leaves much to be desired. While the game features an intriguing world and some lore, the focus is primarily on PvP combat, leading to disappointment for those seeking a rich story-driven experience.

    • “The story is very interesting to me, doing a good amount of show, don't tell but telling you when it needs to.”
    • “The story is short but very fun, and the combat is enjoyable and dynamic.”
    • “The story is minimal and the game itself is pretty short, but the rich and immersive gameplay outside of that is far more expansive.”
    • “The story is very short, and in all honesty it's just there to teach you how to play and to train new moves and practice new combat decks.”
    • “The story is essentially nonexistent: you're tasked with defeating a series of bosses in the world, and then a final boss, but there's really no narrative to speak of besides bookending the front and back.”
    • “The story really is short as hell... the moment you feel like the story is about to start, it really does end.”
  • gameplay1,804 mentions

    The gameplay of Absolver is characterized by its unique and deep combat mechanics, allowing players to customize their fighting styles through a "combat deck" system. While many players appreciate the fluidity and satisfaction of the fighting mechanics, they also note the game's short length and repetitive nature, with a campaign that can be completed in just a few hours. Additionally, the multiplayer experience suffers from a low player base and server issues, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The gameplay is phenomenal and one of my favorite fighting systems ever created, really giving that 'becoming a master' feeling when you sink in the time to learn moves.”
    • “Absolver has always been one of my favorite games in both gameplay and style.”
    • “The combat mechanics feel awesome, and every knee or elbow you land is satisfying and heavy.”
    • “The gameplay is a confusing mess.”
    • “The dodge mechanic sometimes does not work, counter gets countered, etc.”
    • “This game is pretty much a showcase of a very nice combat system with a moderately steep learning curve and very little gameplay otherwise.”
  • graphics1,067 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and beautiful art style, which combines a minimalist aesthetic with fluid animations, creating an immersive experience. Many players appreciate the game's ability to run smoothly on lower-end systems while still delivering visually appealing environments and character designs. However, some users have reported performance issues and graphical glitches, indicating that optimization could be improved. Overall, the visuals are considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.

    • “The art style and overall design of the world and its characters is clearly the main focus for Sloclap, and that suits me just fine.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the soundtrack needs more active music for the pvp in my opinion.”
    • “The visuals are gorgeous and there's a lovely art style overall.”
    • “Awful, I can run Witcher 3 on max settings but can't run this on low. I had it for not even an hour because I spent more time looking up how to fix it than actually playing it. Reinstalled my drivers and the game multiple times, nothing works, constant FPS drops no matter the graphics settings and the motion blur is ridiculous and you can't even turn it off.”
    • “The graphics are pretty terrible and it's not very optimized, especially when you need to do frame-perfect dodges and attacks but you can't because the game drops frames a lot. Like it's 1 year old and optimization is nothing new, so I don't know how they are having these problems.”
    • “The graphics are decent, though if you don't have a great GPU (like me), you'll find that you'll have to lower the settings. On the lower settings, the game sometimes has graphical errors (small sprite issues and light flickering mainly). That being said, the game is perfectly playable on the lowest settings if you don't mind the lighting changing in a few buggy corners of the map.”
  • grinding308 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly after completing the short main story. While some appreciate the depth it adds to learning moves and customizing combat styles, others criticize the lack of engaging content beyond grinding for gear and abilities, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant part of the experience, but it can detract from enjoyment for those seeking a more varied gameplay experience.

    • “Besides that, PvP is what you'll be doing for the majority of your time spent playing if you're not grinding cosmetics/moves.”
    • “Overall, a very pleasurable experience with enough challenge during fights and variety in location design to not be boring during fights and not tedious during exploration.”
    • “The progression is very grindy and tedious with no endgame to work for.”
    • “After you've completed the game, you're left with a niche farming simulator and a poorly made roguelike mode where you run the exact same runs over and over again.”
    • “The game is too grindy and drops are terrible; other alternatives are to farm fragments to buy overpriced items.”
  • music224 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance immersion, while others find it forgettable or lacking in variety. Many appreciate the soundtrack's fit with the game's aesthetic, describing it as calming and suitable for combat, though some express a desire for more dynamic or engaging tracks. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the experience for some, others feel it falls short of expectations, particularly in terms of memorability and excitement.

    • “The music, art direction, sound design, and gameplay combine to be surprisingly relaxing and deeply engaging.”
    • “A strangely beautiful game with a complex combat system and a breathtaking soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack and visuals are also top-notch, providing an immersive experience that elevates the gameplay.”
    • “The music is okay but not really memorable, basically just background sounds.”
    • “The soundtrack is very uninvolved, forgettable, and has a horrible jump in volume whenever it does decide to play, which is usually in a boss fight or a fight with a marked one.”
    • “The combat is good, but dragged down by the total lack of variety... the music is... well I barely knew it was even there, don't know what they were doing there.”
  • stability177 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and server issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many users express frustration over game-breaking problems, such as crashes, invisible enemies, and desynchronization during online play, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and poorly optimized. Despite these issues, some players still find enjoyment in the combat mechanics and overall gameplay, suggesting that those willing to overlook the instability may still have fun.

    • “Stylistically pleasing and runs great.”
    • “Runs great on my two-year-old PC.”
    • “I can't speak for everyone, but so far I'm 100% bug-free and have been playing online most of the time.”
    • “This game is really buggy and abandoned by its developers (last update was 2019). Am I still going to play it? Yes. Is it going to make me break 5 keyboards, 3 mice, and 4 controllers? Yes.”
    • “Managed to convince a friend to buy it with me on release, but after a few hours of buggy online system and gameplay, we refunded it.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess when you alt-tab.”
  • atmosphere138 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, haunting sound design, and immersive world-building, often drawing comparisons to the likes of Dark Souls. Players appreciate the unique blend of serene exploration and intense combat, although some note that the lack of a compelling story and variety in gameplay can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the enjoyment of its intricate fighting mechanics.

    • “The atmosphere is impeccable (sound and visual design).”
    • “The graphics are wonderful, the atmosphere is amazing, and the fighting is something unlike any other game I have played.”
    • “The atmosphere and design help this aspect just as much as the gameplay; the clearly wuxia-inspired setting and the care put into the emulation of each technique brings to mind something like the Avatar franchise (Airbender and Korra).”
    • “The initial charm wears off quickly, leaving you in a lifeless world with little to no atmosphere.”
    • “It's pretty with a dark-souls-style lonely atmosphere, but the world doesn't appear to be telling a story, so it just gets boring.”
    • “The world is very silent, with only a few bits of dialogue and a quiet atmosphere; it feels very grim and lonely.”
  • optimization112 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly in online play, including frame drops and latency. While some users report smooth performance on higher-end systems, others find the game poorly optimized for lower-end hardware and criticize its network stability. There is a consensus that further optimization is needed to enhance the overall gameplay experience, especially for multiplayer interactions.

    • “Generally, this game rarely has any significant performance issues, as long as you're not trying to play it on a thirty-year-old PC.”
    • “In terms of how the game looks, the simplistic approach to the models and textures means that the game can probably run smoothly on just about any kind of computer, as long as it's not a toaster - the art team did an amazing job making this game look gorgeous, even in its simplistic style.”
    • “The art style is fantastic and the game is well optimized.”
    • “The game isn't optimized too great and is a bit of a resource hog, but I am keen to follow the development of this game and see where it goes.”
    • “This game is unoptimized and unless they bring out a fix, my suggestion is to stay away from this broken unoptimized sheet.”
    • “For a multiplayer-focused game that doesn't have a high recommended spec to play, this game had very poor optimization.”
  • replayability85 mentions

    Replayability in "Absolver" is a mixed bag, heavily influenced by player engagement with PvP content. While some players find endless replay value through diverse fighting styles and the challenge of mastering combat mechanics, others criticize the limited PvE content and short campaign, leading to a lack of replayability once the main objectives are completed. The recent "Downfall" update has introduced new modes and mechanics that enhance replayability, but opinions vary widely on the overall depth and longevity of the game's content.

    • “The variety of fighting styles makes the game replayable as wanted.”
    • “With the option of PvP and a bunch of different armor to collect, there is a good amount of replayability.”
    • “The game can be beaten quite fast, but it's always a pleasure to revisit some previous areas to learn new moves, and the newly added modes greatly increase the game's replayability.”
    • “Unfortunately, this game's been abandoned by its players due to its lack of content from its base game and its very non-replayable DLC dungeon that they introduced about 2 years ago.”
    • “Although the game has absolutely zero replayability for me, once you have beaten the game (about 7 hours if you are progressing naturally), then you are done. You can try and play another class, but you can pretty much just go to all boss areas again and win, again.”
    • “The game is good, too short unfortunately, and practically zero replayability.”
  • humor58 mentions

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying funny moments during combat, amusing emotes, and the quirky interactions within the community. Many reviews mention the blend of competitiveness and humor, particularly in multiplayer modes, where chaotic and unexpected outcomes lead to laughter. However, some players also note that while the humor can be entertaining, it can sometimes be overshadowed by frustrating gameplay mechanics and bugs.

    • “Playing PvP with friends is one of those games where you have fun while sweating, but it gets so fun to the point where you are toxic but laughing so hard at the same time because of the mix of funniness, the amount of fun, and the competitiveness between you and your buddy.”
    • “I enjoy this game, and I really think most people who enjoy martial arts or fighting games will. I played it at launch and had some funny adventures with people I didn't even know, communicating through emotes in the game.”
    • “The fighting is fun and engaging, the deck system for building your style is fantastic, and the way you learn moves is both hilarious and gives a sense of progression.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced.”
    • “I expected a lot more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
    • “The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and detract from the overall experience.”
  • monetization29 mentions

    Overall, the monetization aspect of the game is positively received, with many reviewers appreciating the absence of pay-to-win mechanics and microtransactions, particularly those that affect gameplay. While some mention the presence of cosmetic microtransactions, the consensus is that the game prioritizes player experience over profit, allowing players to earn all in-game currency through gameplay. However, there are concerns about the game's perceived rushed development and potential cash grab tactics in its marketing and expansion content.

    • “When I saw that this game had an in-game shop, I thought for sure there would be microtransactions, but all the currency you use in the shop can only be obtained from in-game activities. Nowadays, this just doesn't happen.”
    • “Devolver Digital could have cheapened this game and added microtransactions for extra cash, but they put the game first. Respect.”
    • “The game has no pay-to-win mechanics, no real money currency or microtransactions, and a plethora of intricate systems to learn and enjoy.”
    • “I wouldn't recommend this game for its current asking price because it's fairly clear this was rushed out the door as a cash grab and I'm almost certain there aren't any real intentions to add new combat trial modes (even though the padlocks at the top would imply there are at least 3 other modes coming).”
    • “The Xbox release, as much of a final cash grab as it was, was released late, the patch to fix the game is nowhere in sight and not a lick of info from Sloclap.”
    • “Edit: my refund request got denied for no reason whatsoever so I'm stuck with this worthless cash grab.”
  • emotional18 mentions

    The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players experiencing a profound sense of heartbreak and satisfaction, particularly during combat and character progression. However, many criticize the storyline as thin or boring, which detracts from the overall emotional impact. Despite these criticisms, some players find a rewarding sense of accomplishment and connection to the game, likening it to beloved titles that evoke strong feelings.

    • “Had a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with this one.”
    • “For me, it's pretty heartbreaking.”
    • “This game is fair, a little enraging at times, but I cannot remember a time when I loved being so emotional towards a game.”
    • “Boring storyline (if one truly exists)”
    • “So-so, short, and very boring storyline”
    • “Boring story (basically very thin to no story)”
  • character development17 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the fluid combat mechanics and character design, while others criticize the lack of depth in character backstories and development. Many players appreciate the visual appeal and the immersive world, but note that the simplistic character design and minimal narrative elements leave much to be desired. Overall, while the combat and aesthetics are well-received, the character development aspect is seen as underwhelming by several reviewers.

    • “Definitely enjoy the character development and combat which is fluid and requires you to develop several different timing systems and then adapt/mix them on the fly (vs button mash while strafing around dodging everything.) Fighting multiple foes at once is appropriately lethal.”
    • “Truly a beautiful experience, the environment, character design, and combat are built with so much love and passion.”
    • “The styles and character development are second to none.”
    • “There's very little character development.”
    • “The bosses have no backstory and there's no character development.”
    • “Even though there's not much character development or story, I'm still excited for more and hope that they don't just leave it there.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

Buy Absolver

Play time

9hMedian play time
47hAverage play time
4-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 116 analyzed playthroughs

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