Review: Abathor

Pixel Art, Giant Bosses, and an Adventure That Respects the Past

In an industry constantly trying to reinvent formulas, few games manage to look back at the past without feeling like an empty tribute. Abathor is one of those rare cases. Developed by the Spanish studio Pow Pixel Games, the title combines action, platforming, and classic fantasy to deliver an experience that feels straight out of the golden age of arcades, while adding enough refinement to appeal to modern players.

Inspired by classics such as Golden Axe, Rastan, Castlevania, and even Metal Slug in certain aspects of its presentation, Abathor places players on a journey through Atlantis as they face monsters, colossal creatures, and challenges spread across more than 50 stages. The result is an adventure that understands its inspirations remarkably well and successfully transforms them into something of its own.

GAMEPLAY

Abathor's greatest strength lies in its gameplay. From the very first minutes, it becomes clear that the developers had a very specific goal: recreating the frantic feeling of old-school arcade games. Fortunately, that vision works extremely well.

Combat is fast, responsive, and highly satisfying. Every encounter demands attention not only to enemies but also to the environment, creating situations where attacking and movement are equally important. The game successfully captures the classic feel of titles from the 1990s and early 2000s, where each stage introduces new obstacles and constantly requires players to adapt.

The four main characters travel through a variety of maps while collecting resources and purchasing upgrades that increase attributes such as strength, health, and other characteristics that directly influence the experience. This progression system creates a constant sense of growth without compromising the fast-paced nature of the adventure.

Another aspect that deserves praise is the game's variety. The environments are highly diverse and consistently introduce new ideas, preventing the experience from becoming repetitive even after several hours of play. The same can be said for the bosses, which are far more than simple barriers between stages.

Abathor uses the legend of Atlantis as the foundation for its universe. The civilization stands on the brink of destruction while monstrous forces and supernatural entities threaten the continent.

Although the story is not the central focus of the experience, it provides enough motivation to keep players engaged throughout the campaign. The universe created by the developers features surprisingly rich lore, with information scattered throughout the game that helps players better understand its characters, creatures, and events.

The bosses play an important role in this narrative framework. Rather than appearing as isolated challenges, they are integrated into the adventure's context and help reinforce the identity of each region visited.

Another interesting aspect is the presence of multiple endings, encouraging exploration and extending the campaign's longevity for those who wish to uncover everything the game has to offer.

VISUALS AND SOUND

Visually, Abathor impresses with the quality of its pixel art. The environments are beautifully crafted, full of personality, and supported by an artistic direction that directly recalls the great fantasy classics of the 1980s and 1990s.

The variety of locations is one of the production's highlights. Each new area introduces distinct visual elements, constantly reinforcing the feeling of progression and adventure. The bosses also deserve special recognition, both for their designs and for the impressive sense of scale showcased throughout the campaign.

The soundtrack perfectly complements this retro-inspired approach. The music enhances the epic atmosphere of the journey and matches the fast-paced gameplay exceptionally well. The sound effects also help recreate the feeling of classic arcade games without ever feeling outdated.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Abathor offers a considerable amount of content for players who enjoy exploring beyond the main campaign.

The achievements encourage different playstyles, rewarding everything from natural progression milestones to more specific objectives involving characters, exploration, and skill-based challenges.

In addition, the game features treasures, resources, upgrades, enhancement items, lore entries, and numerous secrets hidden throughout its stages. This structure ensures that the adventure maintains a strong sense of discovery from beginning to end.

For completionists, there is a significant amount of optional content capable of substantially extending the total playtime.

TRAILER OFFICIAL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUiZ0Jhmg4M

FINAL THOUGHTS

Abathor is an excellent example of how to modernize a classic genre without abandoning its roots. Its enjoyable gameplay, well-designed combat, wide variety of environments, memorable bosses, and strong inspiration from the arcade era's greatest titles come together to create a remarkably consistent experience. The game executes all of its fundamentals very well without attempting to overreach, which works perfectly for a title of this style. However, it still feels as though it lacks a truly new element that could elevate it to an even higher level.

The game understands exactly what made titles such as Golden Axe, Rastan, and Castlevania so memorable, but it avoids relying solely on nostalgia. By combining those influences with progression systems, exploration, multiple endings, and a setting based on the fall of Atlantis, Abathor delivers an adventure that feels familiar to veterans while remaining engaging for newcomers.

For fans of 2D action games, pixel art, and old-school challenges, Abathor is an easy recommendation.

Score: 8.9/10

 Review by Gamertag: Scoulz