"Absolum: Stunning Roguelite by Streets of Rage 4 Creators"

Guard Crush Games, the developers behind the acclaimed Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu to bring us a new beat-’em-up. This time, however, they're venturing into uncharted territory with Dotemu's first original IP, named Absolum. The project boasts stunning hand-drawn-style animations crafted by Supamonks and an evocative soundtrack composed by the renowned Gareth Coker. With such a powerhouse team, Absolum is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world, as evidenced by my extensive hands-on session.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-’em-up action-RPG that promises deep replayability through branching paths, quests, diverse characters, and formidable bosses. My experience confirmed the game's allure, from its visually captivating fantasy setting to its engaging gameplay mechanics. I had the chance to play as the robust, dwarf-like Karl and the agile, ranger-esque Galandra, battling through hordes of evil creatures, destroying environments in hopes of finding health-restoring pickups like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure or ambushes, and confronting bosses with impressively large health bars. The cycle of death and rebirth keeps the adrenaline pumping, and although I didn't get to experience it, the game supports two-player same-screen co-op, enhancing the social aspect of play.

For fans of classic beat-’em-ups from the '80s and '90s arcades and titles like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum offers a nostalgic yet fresh experience. Its art and animation evoke the charm of Saturday morning cartoons, while the combat system, though simple with two buttons, provides enough depth to keep fights engaging. The roguelite mechanics inject a modern twist, ensuring endless replayability and a challenging edge.

As you progress through Absolum, you'll encounter a variety of power-ups, both hidden and obvious. These can range from equippable active weapons and spells, activated by triggers and face buttons, to passive items that enhance your inventory. The randomization of these items from run to run adds a layer of excitement and strategy. For example, I once picked up two orbs that boosted my damage output by 20% each, but at the cost of 20% of my health. With such a slim health bar, the gameplay became intensely thrilling yet risky. Fortunately, you can always drop unwanted items, allowing you to adapt your strategy on the fly.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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True to its roguelite nature, upon death, you return to a realm with a shop where you can spend in-game currency to purchase items or power-ups for your next run. Although this feature wasn't fully operational in the early build I played, it promises to add another layer of strategy and progression to the game.

My encounter with the first major boss—a mammoth troll wielding a gigantic mace and summoning smaller goblins—was particularly challenging. These goblins would leap onto me, biting away like piranhas, making the fight even more intense. I longed to experience the two-player co-op mode, which would not only divide the boss's attention but also amplify the fun, as is tradition with beat-’em-ups.

With its captivating art style, smooth animation, classic side-scrolling beat-’em-up gameplay, and the engaging roguelite loop, Absolum holds immense potential. The developers' experience in the genre further bolsters my confidence in its success. If you've missed the joy of couch co-op games, Absolum is set to revive that experience. I eagerly anticipate playing a more refined version as development continues, and my optimism for this game remains high.