Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 78 | 25 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 91% | 85 | 192 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 92% | 86 | 163 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 17, 2025) · 163 reviews sampled · 147 total reviews in window · weighted 75.8 up / 6.9 down · computed 9h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (16)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 100
“Abathor, the action-platformer developed by Pow Pixel Games is a tribute to arcade classics and a great reason to celebrate for fans of the genre. Abathor squeezes but doesn't choke. It's challenging and can get frustrating, but the sense of gratification that comes from beating a tricky boss or level is priceless. It is an ideal game to share with friends, but it can also be enjoyed (and a lot!) alone. Undoubtedly, one of the best proposals of modern action and platform.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“An ode to the arcade hack-'n'-slash genre, Abathor offers an old-school experience, for better and worse. There's extra novelty in taking the four-player co-op anywhere with an undocked Switch, simple controls mean that four Joy-Con are more than comfortable, and the gorgeous pixel art looks great on the smaller screen. It sounds great, too, and co-op is huge fun with a few couch-based adventurers.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“Abathor is definitely a little gaming gem. A declaration of love from David and Javier Garay towards the arcade classics of the late 80s. The attention to detail makes the game impressive from a visual and sound point of view, embellishing the atmosphere of the title. Unfortunately Abathor has retained anachronistic elements and some naivety that can also be partly corrected. Although the difficulty and the perception of it is also subjective, some mechanics objectively only add artificial difficulty. All in all, Abathor is a good product that deserves to be played, which is mostly aimed at a specific niche. I invite you to at least try it even if you are not “old school” players because its aesthetics and old style gameplay might fascinate you.”
read full review ↗ - 90
““For enthusiasts, Abathor is both a tribute to a golden age and a challenge, a battle cry that speaks the language of forgotten deities and worn-out joysticks. We’re talking about the dream of any kid who grew up between an SNES controller and getting pummeled in the arcade after feeding in 500-lire coins: at the heart of the experience is tight two-dimensional action, made of strikes, dodges, and carefully measured jumps, but also of constant cooperation and competition among players.””
read full review ↗ - 81
“Absolutely has some old-school arcade vibes, and can be fun with others, but its appeal may be narrow”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Abathor recreates the experience of playing side-scrolling beat ‘em ups in the arcade, with solo and local and online co-op modes available to challenge. With no save points, this is a very challenging experience!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Abathor is old arcade action at its best. Rich, detailed levels with satisfying combat and platforming make this well worth picking up for anyone looking to take on its challenge. It’s certainly a challenge that may feel harsh to some players, but old-school arcade players would likely not have it any other way. For me, it felt like a game that took the excitement and instant gratification of an arcade game but felt appropriately adapted for modern players. Throw four players into the mix, and you have your next fantasy game night. Wearing costumes is optional. A free demo is available on Steam.”
read full review ↗ - 63
“The classics meet the present to try to return the importance that the arcades had and adapt it to the new demands with small improvements that make it an attractive title.”
read full review ↗ - 88
“Abathor is a surprising and refreshing proposal that hides behind that brilliant wrapping provided by “retro” a very polished game in which every last detail has been taken care of to offer a game like those of the past but without discarding any of the current playable comforts.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“An exceedingly well crafted title that wears its influences proudly on its sleeve, Abathor delivers in all departments. Clever thoughtful design, beautifully detailed pixelart and a killer retro soundtrack that is the cherry on top.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Despite some outdated decisions, especially in the credits system, Abathor is an ideal choice for those who miss a new adventure with the spirit of the old games. The varied theme, with a diverse bestiary, fun bosses to face and the various replayability options, complement an excellent homage to a more pixelated era.”
read full review ↗
La Orden del Pixel
Nintendo Life
Indie Games Devel
STWGames Italia
Nindie Spotlight
GameGrin
LadiesGamers.com
Chicas Gamers
NoesPaisparaFrikis
PlayStation Universe
Gamers Heroes
GameBlast…and 4 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Abathor - Ultimate Edition Update is here!Apr 17, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Abathor - Big update available now!Sep 23, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Abathor v1.1 - Patch NotesSep 23, 2024significant · resets scoring window