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Review of Absolver on Xbox One

by Hemal Harris Hemal Harris photo Jan 2019
Cover image of Absolver on Xbox One
Gamefings Score: 7.5
Platform: Xbox One Xbox One logo
Released: 07 Jan 2019
Genre: Action Role-playing
Developer: Sloclap
Publisher: Devolver Digital

Introduction

Ever thought martial arts required a playbook and a dance card? Welcome to Absolver, where you need both! A game that fuses fighting with RPG elements in a way that's as puzzling as trying to recite Shakespeare while doing the Macarena. Set in a beautifully crafted world, this title invites you to become a martial arts peacekeeper amidst a backdrop of legends and lost empires. Prepare yourself-it's not just about combat; it's about figuring out what all those moves are supposed to do and how to not get knocked out while doing so.

Gameplay

In Absolver, you're not just slapping buttons like a kid on a sugar high; you're meticulously customizing your fighting style through a 'combat deck' system. Each player can mix and match moves as if they were a DJ at a fight club rave. Each card corresponds to a specific move that you can attach, detach, and-let's not forget-forget to use at the wrong moment. If that sounds chaotic, that's because it truly is. Players wield a unique system that encourages thinking three steps ahead. You have four stances to choose from, and each one unlocks a different set of strikes, defenses, and other cool karate kid stuff. It's like trying to juggle while on a unicycle; challenging, but rewarding if you can pull it off. The moves have their own attributes, speed stats, and weird secondary functions like breaking through an opponent's guard-good luck balancing that without accidentally taking a fist to the face. As you progress through the game, you'll fight straight-up thugs, practice your moves against either AI or fellow players, and maybe even get a massive kick to your ego in PvP battles. It's wonderfully chaotic, blending cooperation and competition like a smoothie that occasionally splashes back on you-both exhilarating and humiliating. Just remember: Absorb the punches, don't just absorb them as in take them without fighting back. To win, you'll need to be as smart as you are quick. Mastering timing, reading opponents, and, for the love of all that is holy, keeping track of your own moves is essential. Mess up and become the world's fastest punching bag instead!

Graphics

Visually, Absolver is as stunning as a post-apocalyptic landscape can get! The art style deviates from the current trend of hyperrealism-because who needs realistic graphics when you can have stylized environments that make you feel like you're in an epic old-school anime? You can almost hear the background music swelling dramatically as you traverse sun-drenched cliffs and shadowy forests. Each area is meticulously crafted to make exploration just as engaging as the combat. Plus, it avoids the typical gray-brown palette of most modern combat games, giving players an experience that feels fresh and adventurous, albeit with the occasional existential dread of knowing you're surely about to get pummeled by a ten-year-old online.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're looking for a unique martial arts experience mixed with the complex mechanics of an RPG, Absolver delivers! The challenge it offers will spark the spirit of competition in even the most casual players. However, don't be surprised if you find yourself crying into your controller after an embarrassing defeat. Think of it as training-after all, every martial art has its trials, right? So, strap on those virtual gloves, and prepare to dance through the land of Adal while mastering the fine art of getting your face kicked in. Will you rise through the ranks and become a martial arts legend, or will you be the person that gets kicked off the stage at a dance-off? Your call!

See Latest Prices for Absolver on Xbox One on Amazon

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