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

Guard Crush Games, the creators of Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with Dotemu for a new beat 'em up. This time, it's Dotemu's first original IP: Absolum. Boasting stunning hand-drawn animation by Supamonks and a killer soundtrack by Gareth Coker, Absolum is shaping up to be something special. My hands-on time confirmed this.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat 'em up/action-RPG designed for deep replayability. It delivers on that promise. The gorgeous fantasy world offers branching paths, quests, diverse characters, and challenging bosses. I played as Karl, a tanky dwarf-like character, and Galandra, a nimble ranger-type wielding a sword. Gameplay involves battling creatures, smashing environments (hoping for health pickups!), exploring buildings for treasure, and facing epic boss battles. Death is inevitable, leading to repeated runs, each with new challenges and rewards. Two-player same-screen co-op is also planned, though I didn't get to try it.

The game's Saturday morning cartoon art style and animation evoked a strong sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of classic arcade beat 'em ups and games like *Golden Axe*. The simple yet effective 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 ResultsPower-ups, both active and passive, add another layer of strategy. These randomize with each run, creating a risk-reward system. I found orbs that boosted damage but significantly reduced health – a gamble that paid off in some encounters. Thankfully, you can drop unwanted items at any time.

Absolum - First Screenshots

10 ImagesThe roguelite nature means death is a stepping stone to improvement. A shop between runs allows you to spend earned currency on upgrades. In my early experience, this wasn’t fully implemented, but its potential is clear.

My first major boss fight (unfortunately unfilmed) was brutally challenging. Later bosses, however, were shown, and look even tougher. The two-player co-op mode, which I couldn't test, would undoubtedly enhance the experience.

Despite the early-build limitations, Absolum shows incredible promise. The art style, animation, classic gameplay, roguelite loop, and developer pedigree all point towards a potential hit. For those missing couch co-op, Absolum looks like a strong contender. I’m eagerly awaiting a more polished build.