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Abathor Review

Casey ScheldNovember 4, 2024

Overall - 80%

80%

Official Score

An epic platforming challenge awaits all those that brave Abathor’s trials. Those willing to cut their teeth with its “traditional” controls will enjoy taking on this demonic horde.

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With swords at the ready, Pow Pixel Games and JanduSoft are channeling their inner Conan the Barbarian with their new 2D platformer Abathor. Does this title make Ahnuld proud, or does it lack muscle?

Abathor Review

Things are looking pretty grim from the offset – demons have broken through the titular Gates of Abathor, and the tortured Atlantians are desperate for help. Enter the player, who chooses from one of four different heroes to hack, slash, and dash their way to close these gates and dispel this evil that has taken over the land.

Choosing between Crantor, Sais, Kritias, and Azaes, each character in Abathor packs a wildly different playstyle just waiting for players to master.

For instance, traditional brawlers will enjoy Crantor’s mighty sword swings and dodge roll with i-Frames, Soulsborne style. Meanwhile, those with a penchant for speed should check out Crantor and his ability to get in and out (hopefully) in the blink of an eye.

Players will need all the help they can get to get through Abathor’s many different worlds and stages. Countless bats, lizardmen, and demons – not to mention traps, bottomless pits, and obelisks – stand between players and victory.

Those weaned on the Castlevania titles of old will greatly appreciate the general vibes Abathor taps into. From careful platforming to sub-weapons that can be launched at an arc (you know the one), Abathor is a loving tribute to the titles that kept the 8- and 16-bit generations glued firmly to their couches.

Just note that when we say Abathor is a tribute to the platformers of old, we mean it. Figuring out the quirks (we’ll lovingly call them “features”) of each character and their movement patterns is an absolute must. What might seem rigid at first becomes second nature before too long.

Abathor’s stages end up tapping into this challenge as well. Auto-scrollers, boat rides, elevators of doom, vertical waterfall climbs, and plenty of boss fights can lead to some swearing – we’ll fess up. However, even after getting knocked-back by yet another crow, players will be all too eager to try, try again.

Feel like Abathor might be too difficult to brave? No need to worry – there are a number of accommodations that help take the edge off. For one, a traveling merchant can accept the Orichalcum you collect for a number of buffs for each run. Players can also defeat multiple foes and exchange their souls for currency if they feel like going forth on a path of destruction.

There’s also the chance to try an easier difficulty level (we’re talking 99 credits) and bring some friends along. This is a meaty title, and it is not for those looking for hand-holding, but Abathor manages to be challenging without being too overly unfair. As with the classics, level and pattern recognition are an absolute must.

An epic platforming challenge awaits all those that brave Abathor’s trials. Those willing to cut their teeth with its “traditional” controls will enjoy taking on this demonic horde.

Abathor Review

Reviewed On: PC (A digital code was provided)
Release Date: July 25, 2024
MSRP: $14.99
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Pow Pixel Games
Publisher: JanduSoft
Alternative Reviews: GameGrin, Nintendo Life, Nindie Spotlight
Aggregate Scores: Metacritic, OpenCritic

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