The online melee combat game Absolver received a new trailer at PlayStation Experience 2016.
For half a year, we have been observing the “Online Multiplayer Combat RPG” Absolver, an interesting project that gained more recognition at E3 2016 and led to astonished looks.
The game is developed by Slocap, a team of experienced programmers, designers, and artists. Devolver Digital is the publisher. A new trailer has now been released, showing in-game scenes and throwing around a few keywords. Three words are particularly important: “Online Melee Action”:
What is Absolver?
Absolver will not be a simple brawler game where you smash each other’s heads. Instead, it will be a complex online melee game that places 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”.
The Background Story
In Absolver, you awaken in the ruins of the fallen “Adal Empires” – with a mysterious mask on your face. This mask is a creation of the “Guides”, the rulers of these lands. They test you to see if you are worthy of being part of the elite unit of “Absolvers”. Apparently, you had previously made certain vows and oaths, which is why you must now pass this admission test.
The Features
These features are already known:
Online Multiplayer Action: The candidates and “Absolvers” will seamlessly encounter other players in this world, generating unique stories that depend on the actions and decisions of the players. It is never certain whether a fight is imminent or if the players want to interact peacefully. The encounters have lasting consequences: Will you become friends or enemies, find mentors or students? On your journey, you will learn new martial arts, acquire weapons, and equipment.
Smooth Real-Time Combat: In real-time battles, you must prove your tactical skill and execute effective attacks. You must also evade or parry the offensive efforts of your opponents. Duels and even 3vs3 melee battles are possible.
Customizable Fighting Style: You determine your individual play style by selecting the fighting style and weapon and designing a unique “attack flow”. Your enemy will never know exactly which attacks and movements you plan to use to take them down. In this way, you can create your personal fighter.
The combat system is subtle but deadly: According to the developers, the fights are fluid and dynamic. At the beginning, they are simple and intuitive, but as the game progresses, your skills will become increasingly complex. Each “move” is meant to be purposeful and not just another animation of the same attacks.
By the way: You fight not only with your fists but also with weapons, such as swords. However, during the fight, it is possible for your enemies to take your weapons away from you.
PvP and PvE: You explore a dynamic world that contains PvP battle arenas: Their winners will be rewarded with prizes and advance in the rank of the Absolvers. There are also PvE dungeons where players must cooperate to obtain rare loot from the depths of the “Adal Mines”.
Absolver is intended to be a game with a unique multiplayer experience. You should be able to fully immerse yourself in the game world; the online experience is based on gameplay and gestures. In this aspect, Absolver bears similarities to Journey.
Absolver will be released in 2017 on PC and consoles. PS4 players can look forward to early access and exclusive content.
Alongside Absolver, 2017 will also see For Honor, which also focuses on melee action.
