Fighting games are recognized for laying out a selection of contenders and having the gamer choose the style that best compliments them. Absolver, like a small number of titles before it, offers up a special alternative. This adventure game lets players create their own fighting style, then place it towards the test within an open, explorable world. For many, this challenge may prove harder compared to others, because the game puts little effort into enhancing the player along their journey.
The world of Absolver seems full of narrative backstory, but hardly any of it is really offered straight up to the player. We're dropped into Adal, in which the ruins of the ancient civilization play host to the adventure. Numerous NPCs spread over the land tease us with small chunks of backstory, but it isn't quite enough to obtain the full picture. Although it has the potential to be intriguing completely, working to make feeling of the story's convolution isn't as satisfying as appreciating it as being the enigma that it's.
Adal is split into three general regions, each attached to the others by paths that aren't always overtly apparent. The modestly-sized regions comprise open areas and multiple semi-linear routes the player can explore. The world is rather Dark Souls-ian in its design, with paths that interconnect and fold in on themselves in clever ways, where secrets can be simply missed if players don't take the time to fully scan their surroundings. This really is among the game's greatest strengths, giving value towards the exploration beyond an easy experience grind, however the other thing Absolver must have taken from Dark Souls is its intuitive feeling of progression.
How soon the player internalizes the game's intentions can be random circumstance. Within my playthrough, considerable time was wasted in a single area with no sense that my forward progression was up to me to find out; this was not helped through the beautiful, but occasionally confusing, environment design. Generally, it might perform the game an injustice to bold-facedly kick the gamer on the correct path, but much exasperation might have been avoided with a slightly less subtle nudge within the right direction.
Players will explore Adal through the eyes (or mask, as it were) of an Absolver-in-training, also known as a Prospect. After being selected for a ritual, the player's Prospect is transported to Adal and left there to fight their way to the rank of Absolver. Prospects train in hand-to-hand combat, which is used to battle through the legions of enemies spread around Adal. At first glance, Absolver's combat is extremely straight-forward: the player can enter four different stances, each using its own attack sequence, while alternative attacks could be thrown into these sequences to seamlessly switch in the player's stance mid-combo. Attacking, blocking, and dodging uses stamina, which players must carefully manage if they wish to remain in charge of a fight. It is fairly rudimentary combat, at least before you enter into the game's combo creation and learn what Absolver is really about.
After getting a handle around the controls, players can enter Mediation through the pause menu and begin customizing a combat deck. Combat decks really are a unique collection of moves manually strung together to create the most effective combos possible. Moves might have different attributes-like a sweeping animation that's harder to evade, or block-breaking that may punch through an enemy's block-and these can be strategically integrated into combos to make one's fighting style as versatile as you possibly can.
Melee weapons are available or earned during the period of the sport, and equipping these will access a totally separate combat deck which could be also customized. Moves of these decks are learned by defending against enemies using those particular attacks-assuming you survive the fight. This technique is really a clever method to reward the gamer while incentivizing practice and exploration, however the number of times moves must be defended against can make the procedure tedious. If your player is adamantly seeking a particular attack, they've already to remain blocking against it for minutes on end.
Combo creation is Absolver's most enticing feature, however it too is affected with the game's insufficient explanation. The game's combo creation interface is rather confusing and overwhelming, particularly in relation to its how moves transition between each other. Once enough moves are unlocked and also the player has had time to appreciate what combo variance does for that gameplay, it becomes easier to get a grip on the logic and relevance of combo builds. The problem is that this appreciation comes far after it has to, and just what could be the game's most intriguing feature-via a little more guidance-starts out since it's most contentious obstacle.
Before players begin constructing their combat deck, they must choose from among the game's three main combat styles for their character: Forsaken, Kahlt, or Windfall, with each supporting a unique defensive maneuver (Parry, Absorb, and steer clear of respectively). These moves vary in impossibility of use, but each bring an extra level of strategy to one's combat tactics. It may be argued that more variation between the classes would have because of the game more substance; alternatively, keeping the differences minimal better maintains balance, which gets to be more apparent later in the game. A fourth combat style is also available, offering its very own moves and special ability, titled Stagger style. Unlike another three, Stagger style should be discovered by exploring the game world, giving even more reason for players to scour Adal.
Once a player masters their combat deck and special ability, they are able to make short work from the waves of hostiles occupying each zone, but it is the bosses that players will want to face if they're searching for a real challenge. There are six Marked Ones scattered round the three regions, and these formidable foes must be vanquished to be able to connect to the game's final area (and subsequent boss fight). Absolver features three bosses-excluding the Marked Ones-that come with minor cinematics and a little more narrative presence. Gear and experience can be earned through any enemy hanging around, however the bosses and Marked Ones are where the best rewards are earned. In addition to those better rewards, they serve as effective indicators for players to gauge how they are progressing using their character during the period of the adventure.
Higher difficulty versions of non-Marked bosses could be fought for more of a challenge after defeating them once, but players must rank up in the game's Combat Trials to gain access to this option. Combat Trials-one-on-one skirmishes against other players with the winner being the first to take three rounds-are the core of Absolver's competitive multiplayer. NPC enemies in the open world could be fairly reliably outmaneuvered, but here, the real strategy behind the game's combat and combo creation is tested.
In these PvP arenas, victories are determined more by preparation than reflex. You will find occasionally moments inside a fight where reaction can be a level, but the moves a person specializes in appear to have much greater impact on the outcome than the fighting proficiency from the players. Fights are generally won with some key maneuvers, often undermining the complexity and purpose of the game's combo creation. This observation could prove less true in the upper echelon of the game's competitive scene, however in my playthrough, virtually every single fight was won utilizing a curiously small number of moves.
Luckily, its not all player met in Absolver requires their face to be bashed in. The sport supports a cooperative aspect in its open world, inviting categories of up to three players to defend myself against challenges together. While teamwork is an option, Adal gives no rest from conflict between players, as fellow Prospects wandering around in your game can simply as quickly attack you as befriend you.
Player synergy is further encouraged with the game's Schools. After progressing far enough in Combat Trials, players will unlock the chance to Mentor a college. Students (fellow players) can join these schools and adopt the Mentor's combat deck, optimally giving use of rare moves or creative combos that low-level players might not yet have experienced. The world sharing and School system give Absolver a dynamic of player cohesion that meets it well; its environment isn't massive, but it feels much richer knowing it can be experienced in tandem with other people.
Absolver has much to provide players that put in the work, arguably more than players must have to. When all of its cards take presctiption the table, the exploration and personalization can seem to be like a worthy commitment, but it can take too long to get to that time. Each player will have a different experience, which could mean some of us uncover all that the sport provides without missing a beat. In my case, however, my exasperation would have likely caused me to give up all together prior to getting the chance to see the game's true potential, otherwise for professional obligations. Absolver is really a unique adventure worth the time, but less patient players is only going to see this by sticking with it more than they normally would.
