All in Abyss: Judge the Fake is not your typical heroes’ journey. This visual novel/RPG hybrid throws players into a flashy, foul-mouthed world of high-stakes Texas Hold’em poker, where failure doesn’t just mean losing chips — you could very well lose your life.
I went into All In Abyss with a background in Texas Hold’em poker, so stepping into this ruthless world didn’t feel like I was being thrown to the wolves. I was reminded of my own first time playing Hold’em with friends, which was a humbling experience, though not nearly as humiliating as what protagonist Asuha Senahara endures.
In her debut match, she’s destroyed on a live broadcast by a sugar-obsessed, sadistic witch named Ulu Amamino, who doesn’t just beat her at poker, but also literally takes a bite out of her (I’m not kidding). It’s a brutal introduction that leaves Asuha bloodied and vowing vengeance on Ulu and the shady elite witches that run The City’s underground gambling empire.
A stranger’s unexpected kindness helps get Asuha back on her feet, and that stranger becomes one of her few true allies, showing that even in this twisted world, friendship can be found. And from there, your journey to the top begins.
One of the more intriguing elements of the game is how Asuha uses deduction and observation to her advantage. A standout moment comes when she figures out how to identify an “Undercover Gummy”, a deceptive candy that looks like other sweets, and uses it to turn the tide in a poker match. It’s these types of mental battles, blended with the psychological warfare of poker, that makes the gameplay outstanding.
That said, All in Abyss doesn’t pull any punches. The game’s language is raw, and the narrative dives deep into darker territory. Boss battles are life or death duels, with losers subjected to unimaginable executions. These death scenes are presented in detailed illustrations and heavily descriptive text, on par with something you’d see in Chainsaw Man.
You have the option to skip these scenes, but doing so means you’ll be missing out on some of the game’s emotional intensity and narrative weight.
From a visual standpoint, All in Abyss nails the flashy casino vibe – The City looks just like Genting Highlands. The game’s main character portraits are full of personality, while NPCs are more low-key, letting the stars of the show stand out.
While the game’s poker UI elements might look complex at first glance for newer players, they are surprisingly intuitive, and even the menus during story and exploration segments are stylish and easy to navigate. Most of the backgrounds are serviceable, albeit a bit generic, but the wide shots of The City look stunning.
Musically, the game’s soundtracks hits like a bus. Guitar-heavy tracks dominate the soundtrack, with everything from distorted rock in battles to death metal riffs during execution scenes, which fits the game’s intense atmosphere perfectly. And while the tones are heavy, the mix ensures they don’t overwhelm players who aren’t extreme metalheads.
All in Abyss runs around 15 hours across five chapters, but pacing shifts in the latter half. The early chapters balance narrative and gameplay well, but later ones lean more heavily into poker, which can make things a bit grindy. Even if you skip the optional no-break, high-risk tournaments, you’ll still spend a lot of time at the table, so if you’re not already into poker, this game may not be your cup of tea.
Still, there’s more going on here than just cards. Asuha can earn money through poker duels in street-level gambling dens and casinos, much like fighting random enemies to get them to drop loot. That money is crucial for the players, as you need it to buy gear, information, and access to important locations.
Winning also grants skill points, which you can use to invest in both passive and active abilities. You’re limited in how many you can equip for each match, so be sure to choose your abilities wisely. You’ll need to know when to bluff, when to bet big, and when to fold – just like in any typical poker game you’d play in real life.
Even with the right setup, the game doesn’t always deal a fair hand. Bad draws happen, and bosses hit hard, especially when it comes to the final boss. But if you’ve done your homework, investigated NPCs, gathered info, equipped the right skills, and pieced together each boss’s tells, victory is definitely within reach. Try not to ignore item descriptions, and be ready for some point-and-click sleuthing in various locations. Even splurging on a night out at the hostess bar can net you stat boosts and crucial hints about bosses.
Conclusion
All in Abyss won’t be for everyone. It’s intense, flashy, and it’s not afraid to get dark. But if this review made you curious, I strongly recommend at least trying out the full Steam demo. Between its twisted anime charm, surprisingly solid poker mechanics, and razor-sharp writing, there’s a lot to love if you’re willing to bet big.
From now until April 21, All In Abyss: Judge The Fake is available for 10% off on Steam. Top up your Steam Wallet on Codashop for even more bonuses.
A review key was provided by Alliance Arts.
