Guard Crush Games, the developers behind Streets of Rage 4, have teamed up once again with publisher Dotemu to bring us a new beat-’em-up experience. This time, they're introducing Dotemu’s first original IP, titled Absolum, featuring stunning hand-drawn animations by Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack by renowned composer Gareth Coker. With such an impressive lineup of talent, Absolum is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world.
Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-’em-up action-RPG that promises "deep replayability with branching paths to explore, quests, characters, and challenging bosses," according to its developers. My hands-on experience confirmed this, showcasing a visually stunning fantasy adventure. Players can choose from multiple classes, including the sturdy dwarf-like Karl and the agile ranger Galandra. The gameplay involves battling evil creatures, demolishing environments to uncover health-boosting items like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure or ambushes, confronting bosses with massive health bars, and restarting after defeat. Additionally, the game supports two-player same-screen co-op, enhancing the nostalgic feel of classic arcade games.
For those who cherish memories of 1980s and early 1990s arcade beat-’em-ups, as well as classics like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum offers a nostalgic yet fresh experience. Its Saturday morning cartoon-inspired art and animations, combined with a simple yet effective two-button combat system, provide a familiar yet engaging gameplay loop. The roguelite mechanics add a modern twist, ensuring high replayability and a challenging progression system.
AnswerSee ResultsThroughout your journey in Absolum, you'll encounter various power-ups, both hidden and visible. Some are equippable weapons or spells activated by triggers and face buttons, while others are passive items in your inventory. These power-ups randomize with each run, introducing a risk-reward system that can significantly alter your strategy. For example, I encountered two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% but reduced my health by the same amount, forcing me to weigh the benefits against the risks. Fortunately, you can discard any unwanted items at any time.
Absolum - First Screenshots
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As a roguelite, Absolum features a return realm with a shop where you can spend in-game currency to purchase items or power-ups for future runs. Although this feature wasn't fully operational in the early build I experienced, it promises to add another layer of strategy and progression to the game.
One of the standout challenges I faced was the first major boss, a mammoth troll wielding a giant mace and summoning goblin minions. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture footage of this encounter, but I can share images of another formidable boss. The absence of two-player co-op in my session was keenly felt, as this mode not only splits the boss's attention but also enhances the overall experience, a hallmark of classic beat-’em-ups.
Absolum combines a nostalgic art style, engaging animations, traditional side-scrolling beat-’em-up gameplay, and a compelling roguelite loop. With the developers' proven track record in this genre, the game holds immense potential and is likely to succeed. If you miss the days of couch co-op gaming, Absolum could be the game to bring back that joy, at least temporarily. As development progresses, I eagerly anticipate playing a more refined build, and my optimism for Absolum remains high.
