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

Guard Crush Games, the developers behind Streets of Rage 4, have teamed up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new project. This time, they're diving into Dotemu's first original IP, titled Absolum, which showcases stunning hand-drawn animations by Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack by the renowned Gareth Coker. With such a talented team, Absolum is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world, as evidenced by my hour-long hands-on experience.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-’em-up action-RPG, designed to offer "deep replayability with branching paths to explore, quests, characters, and challenging bosses." This description rings true from my experience. The game features a visually appealing fantasy setting with diverse player classes, including the sturdy Karl, reminiscent of a dwarf, and the agile, sword-wielding Galandra, akin to a ranger. Players can engage in combat with evil creatures, destroy environments in hopes of uncovering health-replenishing items like carrots, explore buildings for treasure or ambushes, and confront bosses with formidable health bars. The cycle of dying and restarting adds to the roguelite charm, and though I didn't get to try it, the game also supports two-player same-screen co-op.

For those with fond memories of classic arcade beat-’em-ups from the 1980s and early 1990s, such as Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum evokes a nostalgic yet refreshing feel. Its Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation contribute to this sensation. The combat system, while simple with two buttons, offers enough depth to mix up attacks based on the enemy you're facing. The roguelite elements add a modern twist, enhancing replayability and keeping the game engaging.

Throughout your journey, you'll encounter both hidden and visible 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 items from one run to the next introduces a dynamic risk-reward system. For example, in one of my early runs, I equipped two orbs that increased my damage output by 20% each but at the cost of 20% of my health, resulting in a dangerously small health bar. Fortunately, you can drop any unwanted item at any time, allowing for strategic adjustments during gameplay.

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 experienced, it promises to add another layer of strategy to the game.

One of the standout moments was battling a mammoth troll boss wielding a gigantic mace and summoning smaller goblins, some of which would leap onto and bite at my character. While I didn't capture footage of this encounter, I can share images of another formidable boss. Experiencing the game in two-player co-op would have been ideal, as it could split the boss's attention and enhance the fun, echoing the joy of classic beat-’em-ups played with a friend.

Absolum combines captivating art style, fluid animation, traditional side-scrolling beat-’em-up mechanics, and a compelling roguelite loop. With Guard Crush Games' experience in the genre, the game holds immense potential and a strong likelihood of success. For those missing the era of couch co-op games, Absolum promises to be a refreshing addition. I eagerly anticipate playing a more refined version as development continues, and my optimism for its future is high.