Game: Abathor
Genre: Action, Adventure
System: Steam (Windows) (also on available PS4, PS5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch)
Developer | Publisher: Pow Pixel Games | JanduSoft
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Tested Playable
Price: US $14.99 | UK £12.79 | EU € 14,79
Release Date: July 25th, 2024
A review code was provided, with many thanks to JanduSoft.
Abathor: Thrilling Hack and Slash Action
Welcome to Abathor, a thrilling 2D hack-and-slash action platformer that transports you to the golden age of arcade gaming. With its retro aesthetic and relentless gameplay, Abathor offers an exhilarating experience for up to four players in local co-op mode. Battle your way through over 50 meticulously crafted levels, each teeming with formidable enemies and challenging obstacles. Sharpen your skills, team up with friends, and dive into a nostalgic journey where every pixelated enemy defeated brings you one step closer to glory. Get ready to unleash your inner warrior and conquer the world of Abathor!
In the Days of Atlantis
Abathor is set in a fantasy realm where Atlantis was once a prosperous city with innovative technology. But one day, the Atlanteans decide to open the wrong portal, causing a massive outpouring of demons into the realm. With hope seemingly lost, it’s up to four muscle-bound heroes to take up swords and beat back the monsters from whence they came.
Much like the retro days of gaming, Abathor keeps its plot simple and to the point. A brief cutscene sets the scene, and every now and then, the story is peppered in when defeating significant bosses. The plot and pixel graphics are nothing new, but what sold me was the sheer amount of effort put into the game’s presentation.
Explore the Realm
Abathor is a joy to explore, with levels varying widely in diversity and design. You’ll traverse all sorts of deadly areas seen in fantasy fiction, from poisonous bogs to the ruined city of Atlantis itself. Each area has its unique personality and feel, including various enemies and hazards to contend with. On top of this, you have a hard-hitting, gritty soundtrack that makes all the monster-slaying even more enjoyable.
A note for families: this game includes pixelated violence. There are small bursts of pixel blood when defeating enemies, and in some instances, you’ll see NPCs meet a nasty end and dead bodies present in the background of some levels. It’s pretty tame with the pixel design, but it’s something to consider if you’re looking to play with younger gamers.
Choose Your Hero
You have four heroes to choose from, including a barbarian, valkyrie, rogue, and necromancer. Each character is not just gorgeous and muscular but also has its own stats in attack, defence, and agility. Not only that, but they also have a unique dash and special move that can be charged and activated. Controls for each character are clearly displayed when you begin the game, with reminder hints dotted around the levels.
Combat
The gameplay is a mixture of hack-and-slash action with a fair bit of platforming thrown in. There’s an instant satisfaction to the combat, as most of the initial enemies can be taken out in a single slash of the sword. But it doesn’t take long before enemies become tougher, requiring the player to monitor attack patterns and strike at the right moment.
To aid in your quest, you can pick up power-ups, which can be activated when needed. These may include projectiles unique to each character, health potions, and even monster allies that can be summoned. You can also collect coins from chests and exchange them for stat buffs at the occasional vendor. The highlight of the combat is the epic boss battles, usually larger-than-life monsters that provide a fine conclusion to the area.
Platforming
It’s not just about combat; level design varies widely across over 50 stages. The game peppers in platform segments such as swinging on vines and navigating floating platforms. But there are also satisfying segments, such as riding on the back of a dolphin and racing in a minecart. Then, before you know it, you’re running for your life from a huge monstrosity. Abathor is one heck of a fantasy roller coaster. But it is very tough.
Difficulty
I played the game in single-player mode, and although I was having a blast, things do get pretty brutal fast. Enemies require many more slashes to take down, and it’s one of those games that suffers from deadly instant-death pits. This is a game that also runs off a credit system like the arcade. If you opt for the easier game mode, you are given a manageable experience with a plentiful supply of credits. But go normal, and the credits are limited, and the difficulty increases over time. To get the true ending of the game, you need to play on an even harder setting, which feels designed for the arcade purists out there.
A notable niggle is the game only appears to save every five stages, which is a bit of a pain if you need to put the game down to rush off and attend to family emergencies, like your toddler waking early from a nap.
Conclusion: Wearing Costumes is Optional
Abathor is old arcade action at its best. Rich, detailed levels with satisfying combat and platforming make this well worth picking up for anyone looking to take on its challenge. It’s certainly a challenge that may feel harsh to some players, but old-school arcade players would likely not have it any other way. For me, it felt like a game that took the excitement and instant gratification of an arcade game but felt appropriately adapted for modern players. Throw four players into the mix, and you have your next fantasy game night. Wearing costumes is optional. A free demo is available on Steam.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot
Do you like our content? Support LadiesGamers on Patreon!
Check out our Tiers and Benefits and join us.