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

Guard Crush Games, the developers behind Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new beat-’em-up. This time, they're bringing us Dotemu's first original IP, titled Absolum. With stunning hand-drawn animations crafted by Supamonks and a captivating 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 significant 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," according to the developers. My experience confirms this, as the game offers a visually stunning fantasy adventure with multiple player classes. I had the chance to play as the sturdy, dwarf-like Karl and the agile, ranger-esque Galandra. In Absolum, you'll battle evil creatures, destroy environments in hopes of uncovering health-replenishing items like carrots, explore buildings for treasure chests or face ambushes by goblins, confront bosses with massive health bars, and then start the cycle anew upon defeat. Additionally, though I didn't get to try it, the game 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 1990s arcades, as well as titles like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum evokes a nostalgic yet refreshing experience. The game's art and animation resemble a Saturday morning cartoon, adding to its charm. The combat system, while simple with two buttons, offers enough depth to mix up attacks based on the enemy you're facing. The roguelite mechanics bring a modern twist, enhancing replayability and adding a fresh layer of challenge.

As you progress through Absolum, you'll encounter both hidden and obvious power-ups. These include equippable active weapons or spells, activated by pulling a trigger and pressing a face button, and passive items that reside in your inventory. The randomization of these items from one run to the next adds a layer of unpredictability, with some items offering significant risk-reward trade-offs. For example, during one run, I equipped two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each but reduced my health by the same percentage, resulting in a dangerously small health bar. Fortunately, you can drop any item at any time if the trade-off becomes too risky.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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As a roguelite, Absolum ensures that upon death, you return to a realm with a shop where you can spend in-game currency on items or power-ups for your next run. Although this feature wasn't fully implemented in the early build I played, it promises to add another layer of strategy to the game. My encounter with the first major boss—a mammoth troll wielding a giant mace and summoning smaller goblins—highlighted the game's challenging nature. These goblins would leap onto you and gnaw at your face like piranhas, making the fight intense. I longed to experience the two-player co-op mode, which could split the boss's attention and enhance the gameplay, as it does in classic beat-’em-ups.

With its captivating art style, engaging animation, traditional side-scrolling beat-’em-up gameplay, and the roguelite loop, Absolum holds immense potential. The developers' experience in the genre further bolsters its prospects. If you've missed the joy of couch co-op games, Absolum is set to revive that experience, at least temporarily. I eagerly anticipate playing a more refined version as development continues, and my optimism for this game remains high.