Guard Crush Games, the developers behind the acclaimed Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for a new beat-’em-up venture. This time, they’re bringing us Dotemu’s first original IP, dubbed Absolum, featuring stunning hand-drawn animations crafted by Supamonks and an evocative soundtrack composed by the renowned Gareth Coker. With such an impressive lineup of talent, Absolum is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world, as my hour-long hands-on session suggests.

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 experience confirmed this claim; the game is a visually stunning fantasy adventure offering multiple player classes, such as the robust dwarf-like Karl and the agile, ranger-esque Galandra. Players will battle evil creatures, destroy environments in hopes of uncovering health-replenishing items like carrots, explore buildings to open treasure chests or face sudden goblin ambushes, and confront bosses with daunting health bars. Death is part of the cycle, prompting players to restart and refine their strategies. Additionally, though I didn't get to test it, Absolum supports two-player same-screen co-op, enhancing the social aspect of gameplay.

For fans of classic arcade beat-’em-ups from the 1980s and early 1990s, as well as games like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum strikes a nostalgic chord with its Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animations. The combat system, while straightforward with two buttons, offers depth by allowing players to mix attacks based on the enemies they face. The roguelite mechanics modernize the experience, ensuring both freshness and extensive replayability.

As you progress through Absolum, you'll encounter both hidden and obvious power-ups, ranging from active weapons or spells, triggered by pulling triggers and hitting face buttons, to passive items that reside in your inventory. These items randomize each run, introducing a risk-reward system that can influence your strategy. For example, during one of my early runs, I acquired two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% but reduced my health by the same amount, resulting in a thrillingly fragile gameplay experience. Fortunately, players can discard any unwanted items from their inventory at any time.

Absolum - First Screenshots

10 Images

As a roguelite, Absolum ensures that upon death, players return to a realm with a shop where in-game currency can be spent on items or power-ups for future runs. Although this feature wasn't fully operational in the early build I played, it hints at strategic depth and variability in subsequent attempts.

My encounter with the first major boss—a mammoth troll wielding a gigantic mace and summoning smaller, biting goblins—was particularly challenging due to the lack of currency spending options between runs. While I didn't capture footage of this battle, I can share images of another formidable boss. The potential for two-player co-op, which I couldn't experience firsthand, promises an even richer gameplay experience, echoing the joy of classic beat-’em-ups best enjoyed with a friend.

With its captivating art style, animation, traditional side-scrolling beat-’em-up gameplay, and roguelite mechanics, Absolum showcases immense potential and a promising future. As someone who misses the era of couch co-op games, I am eagerly anticipating a more refined build as development continues. Absolum is set to revive the spirit of cooperative gaming and has already sparked my optimism for its success.