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

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 soundtrack composed by the acclaimed 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 features branching paths, quests, diverse characters, and challenging bosses—all hallmarks of the genre. 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 to find health-restoring items!), exploring buildings for treasure, and facing formidable bosses. Death is inevitable, but it's part of the roguelite loop, encouraging repeated playthroughs. Two-player same-screen co-op is also planned.

For a veteran of classic arcade beat-'em-ups and titles like *Golden Axe*, *Absolum* felt refreshingly familiar. The Saturday morning cartoon-esque art style and animation evoke a strong sense of nostalgia. The relatively simple, yet strategic, two-button combat system allows for varied attacks depending on the enemy. The roguelite elements, however, modernize the experience, adding depth and significant 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 ResultsPlayers will discover various power-ups – some are active weapons or spells, others are passive buffs. These items randomize between runs, creating a risk-reward system. For example, I found two orbs that boosted damage but significantly reduced health. Items can be dropped at any time.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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The roguelite nature means death leads to a shop where you can spend in-game currency to purchase upgrades for your next run. This feature wasn't fully implemented in the preview build.

Despite this, Absolum shows immense potential. The first major boss proved challenging (though I lack footage). A later boss encounter hinted at even greater difficulty. The lack of two-player co-op in the build was noticeable; it would undoubtedly enhance the experience.

Absolum's art style, animation, classic beat-'em-up gameplay, and roguelite loop, combined with the developers' proven track record, point towards a very promising title. For those yearning for couch co-op, Absolum looks set to deliver. I’m eagerly anticipating future builds.