Gameplay footage from E3 shows the first insights into the upcoming online melee game Absolver.
Absolver is an online action RPG with a strong focus on pronounced martial arts combat. You play as a masked fighter who must prove their worth in an open world filled with other players and NPCs to become an “Absolver”.
One aspect is particularly important and interesting: How does Absolver play? How are the melee fights conducted?
Quiet but deadly – The combat system in Absolver becomes complex
According to the developers at Slocap, the battles in Absolver are conducted very fluidly and dynamically. However, the fights do not occur in a way where you wildly hammer a button and your opponent eventually lies on the ground.
Instead, the mechanics behind martial arts are complex and strategically developed. You can switch between different fighting styles at any time, which you can individually combine and create.
You can learn these “moves” throughout your journey and create combos from them. Your enemy will never know exactly which attacks and movements you intend to use to take them down. This way, you can create your personal fighter. You also have further customization options with the choice of your gear.
Besides the diverse attack options, you must parry or dodge enemy attacks during combat. All of this takes place in real-time and requires not only strategic action but also quick reflexes and skill. You must observe your opponent and read their movements.
You can see fascinating battles and some options in Absolver in the following video. It features pre-alpha gameplay:
At first, the fights are meant to be simple and intuitive. But as the game progresses, they become increasingly complex as you discover the different combat mechanics. Each “move” is purposeful and not just another animation of the same attack.
Compared to other action games that rely on explosions and heavy sound, Absolver aims to provide a pleasantly quiet experience. However, boredom will not occur: You may be quiet, but deadly.
By the way: You do not fight only with your fists. Swords have also been confirmed so far. You can customize these weapons in various ways. But beware: In combat, your enemies can take them from you.
Absolver will be released in 2017 for PC and PlayStation 4.
We have thoroughly examined Absolver here.
