Absolum: Stunning Roguelite from Streets of Rage 4 Creators

Guard Crush Games, the studio behind Streets of Rage 4, is teaming up once again with publisher 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 experience confirmed this.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-’em-up action-RPG built for deep replayability. It delivers on that promise with branching paths, quests, diverse 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 creatures, smashing environments (hoping for health-replenishing pickups!), exploring buildings for treasure, facing epic bosses, dying…and then doing it all over again! Two-player same-screen co-op is also planned.

As a fan of classic arcade beat-’em-ups and games like *Golden Axe*, *Absolum* felt instantly familiar. The Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation are charming, and the simple yet effective two-button combat system allows for strategic attacks. 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 ResultsThroughout the game, you'll discover power-ups – both active (equippable weapons or spells activated using triggers and face buttons) and passive (inventory items). These randomize each run, creating a risk-reward system. For example, I found two damage-boosting orbs that reduced my health significantly. Fortunately, you can discard unwanted items.

Absolum - First Screenshots

10 ImagesAs expected in a roguelite, death sends you back to a shop where you can spend in-game currency on upgrades for your next run. This wasn't fully functional in the preview build.

My early encounters, particularly with the first major boss (a mammoth troll summoning goblins!), highlighted the need for strategic item selection. Two-player co-op would significantly enhance this experience.

Absolum shows immense potential. The art style, animation, classic gameplay, and roguelite loop, combined with the developers' proven track record, make it incredibly promising. If you miss couch co-op, Absolum might just be the game to reignite that spark. I'm eagerly anticipating future builds.