Streets of Rage 4 developer Guard Crush Games has teamed up once again with publisher Dotemu to bring us a new beat-'em-up experience. This time, it's Dotemu's first original IP, titled Absolum, featuring stunning hand-drawn animation crafted by Supamonks and an immersive soundtrack composed by the renowned Gareth Coker. With such a powerhouse team behind it, my hour-long hands-on session with Absolum suggests that this project won't remain unproven for long.
Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG designed for deep replayability. It boasts branching paths, quests, diverse characters, and formidable bosses. My experience confirmed the game's beauty and engaging gameplay, as I explored its fantasy world with characters like the tank-y, dwarf-like Karl and the lanky, ranger-like Galandra. Players will battle evil creatures, smash environments hoping to find health-replenishing pickups like carrots, raid treasure chests in buildings, and confront bosses with massive health bars. The cycle of death and restart adds to the thrill, and though I didn't try it, the game supports two-player same-screen co-op.
As a nostalgic fan of classic two-player beat-'em-ups from the '80s and early '90s arcades, as well as titles like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum strikes a familiar yet refreshing chord. Its Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation evoke fond memories, while the combat system, though simple with two buttons, offers enough depth to vary attacks based on the enemy. The roguelite mechanics infuse the game with modern replayability and challenge. AnswerSee ResultsThroughout your journey in Absolum, you'll uncover both hidden and obvious power-ups. These include equippable active weapons or spells activated by triggers and face buttons, and passive items in your inventory. Each run randomizes these items, adding a layer of risk and reward. In one of my early runs, I picked up two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each but at the cost of 20% of my health, resulting in a dangerously low health bar. Fortunately, you can drop any unwanted item at any time, allowing you to adapt your strategy mid-run.Absolum - First Screenshots
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As a roguelite, Absolum sends you back to a realm with a shop upon death, where you can spend in-game currency on items and power-ups for your next run. Although this feature wasn't fully functional in the early build I played, it promises to enhance the game's depth and replayability.
Facing the first major boss—a mammoth troll wielding a gigantic mace and summoning smaller goblins—was challenging without the ability to spend gold between runs. The goblins would leap onto my character and bite away like piranhas. I'm eager to try the two-player co-op mode, which could split the boss's attention and enhance the experience, as beat-'em-ups often shine in multiplayer.
Absolum's combination of captivating art style, fluid animation, classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up action, and engaging roguelite loop, alongside the developer's genre expertise, signals a game with immense potential. For those missing couch co-op games, Absolum could be a significant addition to the genre. I'm optimistic about its future and excited to see how it develops further.
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