All in Abyss: Judge the Fake

All in Abyss: Judge the Fake is a fun combination of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Danganronpa that is much more fun getting to and fighting the bosses than it is for the rest of the game.

Like the Vegas strip, influences are pervasive in All in Abyss. From Texas Hold ‘em against CPU opponents, comical conversations, power-ups to earn, mysteries to uncover, and even some opponent fatalities, Judge the Fake’s mixture of mechanics is gratifying – at least when it’s not being too grindy.

All in Abyss: Judge the Fake does a respectable job of tackling this gambling card game trend by combining it with a good old-fashioned death game. The game doesn’t take that lightly either; each scene is well crafted and goes the distance whether you can stomach it or not. The pacing is just right for a story you may not be completely attached to, and there’s enough here to enjoy even after you’ve cleared the game, that is, if you want to play more Texas Hold ‘Em and be the cutest card player in the region. I promise I’m not being cringe, that’s exactly what Asuha’s goal is. Anyway, I had fun, but don’t expect too much depth.

All in Abyss: Judge the Fake deals with a wild hand that’s hard not to admire—even if it’s a little flawed. The boss battles and Danganronpa-style executions steal the show with thematic gimmicks that keep each match feeling unique, even when the game’s balance falters. Its visual novel elements are surface-level and the post-game content is thin, but the journey up the gambling ladder is just absurd enough to be worth the ride. It’s not the most honest game at the table, but it sure knows how to put on a show.

All in Abyss: Judge the Fake features captivating characters drawn into the madness of gambling, with intense scenes that seem inspired by Danganronpa. However, the process of deducing opponents’ tricks can feel tedious, and issues with the game's core mechanics—the “poker battles”—ultimately result in a somewhat underwhelming experience.

Ultimately, All in Abyss: Judge the Fake is a game that thrives on its concept more than its execution. It’s ambitious, stylish, and refreshingly different — but it can’t always live up to the narrative weight or mechanical depth it seems to promise. For those who enjoy poker and are looking for a fresh narrative twist on it, this could be a compelling, if uneven, experience. But players seeking emotional depth or a tightly designed tactical game may find its bluffs easier to read than intended.