Absolver Evolves Fighting Games This August, New Release Date Trailer Released

This August, Sloclap is changing the way we think about and play fighting games. Absolver is a beautiful and methodical fighting game which empowers players to think and act like Kung Fu masters. This isn't a one-on-one button mashing slugfest. This is an open world, atmospheric, mysterious, and meditative martial arts experiement of sorts, and it will demand that you apply the powers of your utmost discipline and imagination to succeed. Today it was revealed that Absolver will launch on PlayStation 4 and PC on August 29, and we're delighted to share with you a brand new overview trailer. Check it out:

"Absolver puts players behind the mask of a Prospect, who has taken a sacred vow and chosen to join the Absolvers, an elite corps of combatants fighting to maintain stability in the world. Prospects will choose a combat style, each with their own special abilities, and assemble their own custom Combat Deck to create a personal fighting system in intense, real-time combat. Choose to wander the land alone, with friends, or find a mentor to spar and learn from to become a more polished warrior."

As mentioned, at the beginning of the game you'll select one of three combat styles, each with its own characteristics and special ability. Whether you like to charge head-on into a fight, absorbing blows and powering through the pain to unleash your combos, or hang back and wait for the perfect opportunity to parry an attack with masterful timing to stun your opponent, or else stay out of harm's way completely by remaining mobile and dodging incoming attacks to create your opening, there's a combat style to suit you.

• Kahlt Metho – Absorb hits without being stunned or pushed back, and regain lost health with every successful counter attack.

• Forsaken – Balanced and powerful, prospects can parry enemy attacks and briefly stun opponents.

• Windfall – Greater dexterity and will, prospects can avoid enemy attacks leaving them open to a powerful counter attack.

The best part of this trailer is its treatment of the combat deck, which is terribly difficult to explain with words. As you spend ample time leveling up and training your avatar, you'll eventually come to settle on some core combos that suit your style of play. At any given time you'll be standing in one of four stances, and each stance will have its own combo sequence. All four of those sequences can be altered, mixed up, or else flow into alternate stances, which will lead to different combos. It's up to you to master all of your combos in each stance in order to chain them and mix them up like a pro.

Of course, if you're having trouble, Absolver encourages you to seek out a mentor. In this dangerous world of Prospects and Absolvers, less-experienced players will be able to seek out the partnership of a guru of sorts, who will journey with them, fight alongside them, and share different unique moves with them over time. This is a fantastic feature, and I can't wait to see the kinds of unique bonds and multiplayer experiences that come of this mentor system.

Can you tell we're excited? We've never seen or played a game quite like Absolver, and the gameplay experience it offers is wholly unique. We went hands-on with the game at PAX East, and you can read our preview right here. For more on Absolver, be sure to stay tuned to WWG!