Abathor is a challenging 2D action platformer for solo play or up to 4 players. Embark on an epic 16-bit quest inspired by Golden Axe, Rastan, and Castlevania IV. Traverse Atlantis, battle demons, and defeat vicious bosses to save your progress! Enjoy an amazing OST from classic-era musicians!
Players can choose from four distinct playable characters - the Barbarian Crantor, the Valkyrie Sais, the Assassin Kritias, and the Warlock Azaes. Each character has their own unique moveset, abilities, and playstyle. The core gameplay revolves around running, jumping, and attacking through a series of levels. Players can perform standard attacks, heavy attacks, jumps, and dodge rolls, with the controls responding precisely to inputs.
The game features over 50 stages across a wide variety of environments, from the sunken ruins of Atlantis to the demonic planes of the underworld. The level design emphasizes challenging platforming, with pitfalls, traps, and obstacles that players must carefully navigate. Many stages also incorporate unique gimmicks, such as underwater sections or collapsing platforms, that add an extra layer of complexity. Defeating the numerous enemy types and formidable boss encounters is a core part of the experience. Enemies exhibit a range of attacks and behaviors, forcing players to learn patterns and time their strikes and dodges precisely. The boss battles, in particular, are described as epic, multi-phase affairs that test the player's mastery of the mechanics.
As players progress, they can acquire various power-ups and upgrades to enhance their character's abilities, including new attacks, increased health, and other beneficial effects. The ability to select different characters also adds to the game's replayability, as each one offers a distinct playstyle and approach to the challenges. The game also features a "Heroic" difficulty mode that unlocks after completing the standard difficulty, further increasing the challenge and encouraging players to revisit levels and hone their skills.
One of the standout features is the local cooperative multiplayer for up to four players. This allows friends to team up and tackle the game's challenges together, combining their characters' unique abilities to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. The cooperative nature of the experience is praised by many players as a particularly enjoyable aspect.