Absolum Is a Gorgeous Roguelite from the Makers of Streets of Rage 4

Guard Crush Games, the developers behind the acclaimed Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new beat-'em-up project. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as it introduces Dotemu's first original IP, Absolum. With stunning hand-drawn animations crafted by Supamonks and an evocative soundtrack composed by the renowned Gareth Coker, this project boasts an impressive lineup of talent. After spending an hour hands-on with Absolum, it's clear that this game is poised to make a powerful impact in the gaming world.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG that promises "deep replayability with branching paths to explore, quests, characters, and challenging bosses." From my experience, this description holds true. The game offers a visually stunning fantasy adventure with various player classes to choose from, including the sturdy, dwarf-like Karl and the agile, ranger-like Galandra. Players will engage in combat against evil creatures, destroy environments to uncover health-restoring items like carrots, explore buildings for treasure or face ambushes, tackle bosses with formidable health bars, and embrace the cycle of death and rebirth that defines the roguelite genre. Although I didn't get to experience it, Absolum also supports two-player same-screen co-op.

For those of us who cherish memories of classic two-player beat-'em-ups from the 1980s and early '90s arcades, as well as gems like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum evokes a nostalgic yet refreshing vibe. Its art and animation reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons contribute to this feeling. The combat system, while straightforward with two buttons, offers a slight depth allowing for varied attack combinations depending on the enemy. The integration of roguelite mechanics modernizes the experience, enhancing its replay value and adding a fresh twist.

As you progress through Absolum, you'll uncover both hidden and obvious power-ups. These include active weapons or spells that you can equip and trigger with a combination of buttons, as well as passive items that remain in your inventory. Each run presents a new randomization of items, adding a layer of risk and reward to your strategy. For example, during one of my early runs, I picked up two orbs that increased my damage output by 20% each but reduced my health by the same percentage. This left me with a perilously small health bar, yet it allowed me to quickly defeat enemies. The game cleverly allows you to drop any unwanted items at any time, giving you control over your gameplay experience.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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True to its roguelite nature, death in Absolum sends you back to a realm with a shop where you can use in-game currency to purchase items or power-ups for your next run. In the early build I played, this feature wasn't fully operational, leaving the quality of items to chance with each new attempt.

Absolum holds immense potential, and its success seems highly probable. In my playthrough, I faced a formidable boss—a mammoth troll wielding a massive mace and summoning smaller goblins that would swarm and attack like piranhas. Although I couldn't experience two-player co-op, I can only imagine how thrilling it would be to share the challenge and enjoy the classic beat-'em-up camaraderie.

With its captivating art style, fluid animation, traditional side-scrolling beat-'em-up gameplay, and engaging roguelite loop, Absolum promises to be a standout title. The developers' expertise in the genre further bolsters its potential. If you miss the days of couch co-op gaming, Absolum is likely to offer a refreshing return to those experiences. I eagerly await further developments and am optimistic about its future success.