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 boasts stunning hand-drawn animation by Supamonks and a soundtrack composed by the acclaimed Gareth Coker. My hands-on experience confirmed the immense potential of this project.
Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG emphasizing deep replayability through 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 in search of health pickups, exploring buildings for treasure, and facing formidable bosses. Death is inevitable, leading to repeated runs, each offering a unique experience. Two-player same-screen co-op is also planned.
The game evokes nostalgia for classic arcade beat-'em-ups of the 80s and 90s, with its Saturday morning cartoon-style visuals and a simple yet effective two-button combat system. The roguelite elements add a modern twist, enhancing replayability. AnswerSee ResultsPlayers discover various power-ups, including active weapons and spells activated via triggers and face buttons, and passive items. The randomization of items introduces a risk-reward element, influencing gameplay strategy. Items can be dropped at any time.Absolum - First Screenshots
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Upon death (an inevitable part of the roguelite experience), players return to a shop to purchase items for their next run. In the early build, this shop wasn't fully functional.
Despite this, Absolum shows tremendous potential. The challenging bosses, combined with the art style, animation, classic beat-'em-up gameplay, and roguelite loop, create a compelling experience. The two-player co-op mode promises to further enhance the fun. I'm eagerly anticipating a more polished build, but my initial impressions are incredibly positive.
