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

Guard Crush Games, the studio behind Streets of Rage 4, teams up again with Dotemu for a new beat-'em-up—this time, Dotemu's first original IP: Absolum. Boasting stunning hand-drawn animation by Supamonks and a killer soundtrack by Gareth Coker, Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG built for deep replayability.

My hands-on experience confirmed the developers' promise of branching paths, diverse quests, varied 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, battling fantastical creatures, smashing environments in search of health-restoring items, exploring buildings for treasure, and facing formidable bosses. Death is inevitable, leading to repeated runs, each offering a fresh challenge. Two-player same-screen co-op is also planned (though I couldn't test it during my playthrough).

Evoking nostalgic memories of classic arcade beat-'em-ups and titles like *Golden Axe*, *Absolum* features a simple yet effective two-button combat system, allowing strategic attacks tailored to different enemies. 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)

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Power-ups, both active and passive, add strategic depth. These items randomize between runs, creating risk-reward scenarios. For example, damage-boosting orbs came at the cost of reduced health. The ability to drop unwanted items adds a layer of control.

Absolum - First Screenshots

10 Images

The roguelite structure means death leads to a shop where you can spend in-game currency to enhance subsequent runs (though this wasn't fully implemented in the preview build).

Despite the unfinished shop in the preview build, Absolum shows immense potential. The art style, animation, classic gameplay, and roguelite loop, combined with the developers' proven track record, point towards a highly promising title. The lack of playable two-player co-op in the preview was a missed opportunity, but its inclusion promises to elevate the experience significantly. I'm eagerly anticipating future builds.