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

Guard Crush Games, the developer behind Streets of Rage 4, is teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for a new beat-'em-up. This time, they're introducing Dotemu's first original IP, named Absolum, featuring stunning hand-drawn-style animations from Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack by renowned video game composer Gareth Coker. With such a talented team behind it, my hour-long hands-on session suggests that Absolum won't remain unproven for long.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG, designed for "deep replayability with branching paths to explore, quests, characters, and challenging bosses," according to the developers. My experience confirms this, as I immersed myself in a visually stunning fantasy world. I explored different player classes, including the sturdy, dwarf-like Karl and the agile, ranger-like Galandra. The gameplay involves battling evil creatures, smashing environments to uncover health-replenishing pickups like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure chests or ambushes, facing off against bosses with massive health bars, and restarting upon death. Although I didn't try it, the game also offers two-player same-screen co-op.

For someone like me, who cherishes memories of two-player beat-'em-ups from the 1980s and early 1990s arcades, as well as classics like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum evokes a nostalgic yet refreshing feel. Its Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation contribute to this charm. The combat system, while relatively simple with two buttons, offers depth by allowing varied attacks based on the enemy you face. The roguelite element adds a modern twist, enhancing replayability and engagement.

As you progress, you'll discover both hidden and obvious power-ups. Some are equippable active weapons or spells that you activate by pulling a trigger and pressing the corresponding face button, while others are passive items that reside in your inventory. These items randomize with each run, introducing a risk-reward system that can alter your strategy. For example, during an early run, I equipped two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each, but at the cost of reducing my health by 20% each. This left me with a perilously small health bar, yet I could quickly eliminate enemies. Fortunately, you can drop any item at any time if the trade-offs become too risky.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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Since Absolum is a roguelite, 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. However, this feature was not fully operational in the early build I played, making my item acquisition feel like a roll of the dice each time.

I faced a formidable first major boss—a mammoth troll wielding a gigantic mace and summoning smaller goblins, some of which would leap onto me and bite like piranhas. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture footage of this encounter, but I can share images of another, equally challenging boss. I'm eager to experience the two-player co-op mode, as it would not only divide the boss's attention but also enhance the game's enjoyment, as is often the case with classic beat-'em-ups.

With its captivating art style, animation, traditional side-scrolling beat-'em-up gameplay, and engaging roguelite loop, coupled with the developers' expertise in the genre, Absolum holds immense potential. It promises to be a refreshing addition for those missing couch co-op experiences. I eagerly anticipate playing a more refined build as development continues, and my optimism for Absolum's success remains high.