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

Guard Crush Games, the studio behind Streets of Rage 4, teams up once again with publisher Dotemu for a new beat-'em-up—this time, Dotemu's first original IP: Absolum. Boasting stunning hand-drawn animation by Supamonks and a killer soundtrack by Gareth Coker, Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG built for deep replayability.

My hands-on experience confirmed the developers' promise of branching paths, diverse quests, multiple characters, and challenging bosses. The game is a visually captivating fantasy adventure. I played as Karl, a tanky dwarf-like character, and Galandra, a nimble ranger-type wielding a sword. Gameplay involves battling fantastical creatures, smashing environments in search of health-replenishing items, exploring buildings for treasure, facing formidable bosses with massive health pools, and—of course—the inevitable repetition inherent in the roguelite genre. Two-player same-screen co-op is also planned, though I couldn't test it during my preview.

The game evoked a nostalgic feeling, reminiscent of classic arcade beat-'em-ups and titles like *Golden Axe*. The relatively simple two-button combat system allows for strategic attacks tailored to different enemies. The roguelite elements add a modern twist, enhancing both the challenge and replayability.

What is your favorite modern beat-'em-up? -----------------------------------------

Streets of Rage 4TMNT: Shredder's RevengeRiver City Girls (1 or 2)Dragon's Crown ProRiver City Ransom UndergroundMother Russia BleedsOther (feel free to leave a Comment below)

AnswerSee Results

Players will uncover various power-ups; some are active weapons or spells, while others are passive buffs. These items randomize with each run, creating a risk-reward system. For example, I acquired two damage-boosting orbs at the cost of health. Fortunately, unwanted items can be dropped at any time.

Absolum - First Screenshots

10 Images

The roguelite structure means death sends you back to a shop to purchase items for your next run. This feature wasn't fully functional in my preview build.

Despite this, Absolum shows immense potential. The art style, animation, classic gameplay, and roguelite loop, combined with the developers' proven track record, point to a promising title. The lack of functional in-game currency hampered my initial boss fight, but the game's overall promise is undeniable. I eagerly anticipate playing a more polished version. For those missing couch co-op experiences, Absolum appears poised to fill that void.