Monitored by the Guides, the new rulers of the fallen Adal Empire, players will wander these forsaken lands and encounter other Prospects online in order to learn their place in this world and eventually become Absolvers. Along the way, they will learn new combat styles and attacks, and acquire better weapons, powers and armor. Battles between warriors are an intense real-time flow of attacks, dodges, feints and counters, with all aspects of gameplay customizable, including combat styles, weapons and even individual attack sequences in the player's Combat Deck. Build a team of warriors to fight side by side with you in the dungeon mines of Adal (PvE) or put your skill on display in dedicated combat arenas (PvP) scattered across the land.

Independent developer Sloclap and the drunken masters at Devolver Digital have announced the pre-order program for the online melee action game Absolver. Starting today eager combatants that preorder Absolver on PlayStation 4 or PC will receive 10 percent off the base $29.99 price, the Labyrinth Prospect mask, and Uring Priest gear set.

The most ardent fans can preorder the limited small batch physical Absolver Collector’s Edition from Special Reserve Games for $74.99, which includes an ultra premium, wearable Prospect mask with display stand, a 52-page The Art of Absolver book, and sticker pack in addition to a PlayStation 4 disc or PC download via Steam..

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.

At the beginning of your journey, players choose one of three combat styles, but others exist in the world of Adal waiting to be discovered. Each of the three initial combat styles come with special abilities and improves special character attributes depending on player style:

1. Kahlt Method – Absorb hits without being stunned or pushed back, and regain lost health with every successful counter attack.
2. Forsaken – Balanced and powerful, prospects can parry enemy attacks and briefly stun opponents.
3. Windfall – Greater dexterity and will, prospects can avoid enemy attacks leaving them open to a powerful counter attack.

The Combat Deck is the inventory of attacks that players can use while fighting. Your deck is made up of four stances, and in each stance different attacks are available. Players can choose attacks and stances to create their own unique fighting style; it's fully customizable and you can change your stance on the fly to keep your opponents on their toes.

In combat, players are also able to unlock new attacks, or you can take on a mentor and learn their ways – relationships are as important as they allow you to acquire more skill and knowledge. 

Absolver is set to kick your face in on PS4 and PC August 29, 2017.