Absolver
Absolver is a buy-to-play action-adventure fighter centered on precise, close-range duels in a sparse world inhabited by other masked combatants. You step into the role of a newly awakened Prospect, learning techniques, collecting gear, and shaping your journey through the people you choose to challenge, help, or avoid.
 | Publisher: Devolver Digital Playerbase: High Type: B2P Action Adventure Fighter Release Date: August 29, 2017 Pros: +Distinctive, striking art direction. +Responsive, momentum-driven melee combat. +An intriguing setting with rewarding lore. Cons: -Region locked. -Occasional server and network latency. |
Absolver Overview
Absolver is a buy-to-play action-adventure fighting title created by Sloclap and released under Devolver Digital. Taking place amid the crumbled remains of the Adal Empire, you assume the part of a Prospect—an unknown warrior who awakens wearing a strange mask and with little understanding of how they got there. That mask isn’t just for anonymity; it pushes you beyond ordinary human limits, framing defeat as instruction instead of a full stop.
On the surface, the goal is straightforward: endure a sequence of trials and earn recognition as an Absolver. In reality, the road is defined by the people you run into and the choices you make. Fellow Prospects and veteran Absolvers may turn into allies, rivals, training partners, or threats you simply pass by, and your responses to those encounters give your run its unique shape.
All combat is close-quarters, built around reading intentions, controlling range, and committing to the right sequences at the right time. Most engagements are 1v1, while 3v3 modes offer a busier, team-driven alternative. Weapons and stance options add layers, but the heart of every fight is timing, pressure, and matchup knowledge. Beyond PvP, there’s PvE content to roam through, along with a steady pursuit of gear, powers, and cosmetics that let you refine both efficiency and style.
Absolver Key Features:
- Explore the Fallen Realm of the Adal Empire – you begin as an amnesiac Prospect, waking to a strange mask and a world that does not fully explain itself.
- Hands-Only Combat Focus – ranged play is not part of the design, so engagements stay up close and demand quick reactions.
- Choices That Shape Encounters – how you treat other characters can change the tone of your adventure, from cooperation to rivalry.
- Stylized, Clay-Like Visuals – Absolver’s 3D presentation has a handcrafted look that stands apart from typical fantasy brawlers.
- Collect Gear and Tools – unlock weapons, armor, and items that support different playstyles across PvE and PvP.
Absolver Screenshots
Absolver Featured Video
Absolver Review
Rather than chasing the typical open-world checklist, Absolver focuses on the feel of fighting, the atmosphere of a lonely fallen empire, and the steady mastery that comes from repetition. It is a game that rewards patience, observation, and experimentation, and it often feels closer to a competitive fighting game mindset than a traditional action RPG.
The melee system is the foundation, and it is where Absolver shines the brightest. Every exchange is about commitment, spacing, and baiting mistakes, with a pace that stays energetic without turning into button mashing. The stance system and weapon options add variety, but the real depth comes from learning what an opponent wants to do and interrupting it at the right moment. When the connection is stable, duels can feel intensely personal, like a fast chess match played with fists and feints.
World structure and progression are deliberately understated. The Adal Empire is presented as a series of interconnected spaces that encourage exploration, short skirmishes, and occasional surprises rather than lengthy quest chains. There is lore to pick up and a mood that sells the idea of a civilization that has already collapsed, and the subdued storytelling fits the game’s tone well. Still, players who need constant narrative direction may find it too hands-off, since the game prefers implication over exposition.
Multiplayer is both a highlight and a potential frustration. Finding other players, deciding whether to engage, and forming temporary rivalries or friendships reinforces the game’s theme of masked wanderers testing each other. At the same time, the experience can be affected by region locking and network issues, which matters more here than in many genres because timing is everything. When lag hits, a duel that should feel crisp can become inconsistent, and that can undermine the satisfaction of learning the system.
Visually, Absolver’s stylized presentation remains one of its strongest traits. The characters and environments have a distinctive, sculpted look, and the restrained color palette helps the world feel mysterious without becoming monotonous. Gear and customization also contribute to identity, letting you look like a disciplined martial artist, a wandering duelist, or something in between while still keeping silhouettes readable in combat.
Absolver is best for players who enjoy studying systems and improving over time. If you like skill-based PvP, deliberate melee mechanics, and a world that invites you to piece things together, it offers a unique blend. If you prefer heavy story structure, consistently smooth online play, or ranged combat options, its design choices will be more divisive.
Absolver System Requirements
Minimum Requirements (Windows):
Operating System: Windows 7
CPU: Quad-core Intel or AMD processor, 2.5 GHz or faster
RAM: 8 GB RAM
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 470 GTX or AMD Radeon 6870 HD series card or higher
Minimum Requirements (Mac):
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.9 or later
CPU: Quad-core Intel or AMD processor, 2.5 GHz or faster
RAM: 8 GB RAM
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 470 GTX or AMD Radeon 6870 HD series card or higher
Official system requirements for Absolver have not been published yet. The specs listed here are drawn from our hands-on experience and will be revised once the developer releases confirmed figures.
Absolver Music & Soundtrack
Coming Soon!
Absolver Additional Information
Developer(s): Sloclap
Publisher(s): Devolver Digital
Language(s): English, French, Italian, German, Spanish
Game Engine: Unreal Engine 4
Release Date: August 29, 2017
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Development History / Background:
Absolver is a combat-focused action-adventure MMO produced by Sloclap, an independent studio based in Paris. The team includes developers with prior Ubisoft experience, channeling big-project know-how into a smaller production with an emphasis on tight melee design. Devolver Digital publishes the game and is known for backing distinctive releases across many genres, including the Serious Sam series. Work on Absolver began in May 2015, targeting PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and it ultimately shipped on August 29, 2017.