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

Guard Crush Games, the developers behind Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new beat-’em-up. This time, they're bringing us 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 a talented team behind it, Absolum is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world, as evidenced by my hour-long hands-on experience with the game.

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 the developers. My experience confirmed this, as I delved into a visually stunning fantasy world with multiple player classes. I played as the sturdy, tank-like Karl and the agile, ranger-esque Galandra, battling evil creatures, smashing environments in hopes of finding health-replenishing items like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure chests, and facing off against bosses with massive health bars. The game's cycle of death and rebirth adds to its replayability, and though I didn't get to try it, Absolum also supports two-player same-screen co-op.

For those of us who fondly remember the two-player beat-’em-ups of the 1980s and early '90s arcades, as well as classics like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum strikes a nostalgic chord. Its Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation evoke a sense of familiarity, while the combat system, though simple with two buttons, offers enough depth to keep things interesting. The roguelite mechanics bring a modern twist, enhancing replayability and adding a fresh layer of challenge.

As you progress through Absolum, you'll encounter both hidden and obvious power-ups. These include equippable active weapons or spells, activated by pulling a trigger and hitting a face button, and passive items that reside in your inventory. The randomization of these items from one run to the next introduces a risk-reward system that can significantly alter your strategy. For example, during one run, I equipped two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each but reduced my health by the same percentage, resulting in a dangerously small health bar. Fortunately, you can drop any item at any time if the trade-off becomes too risky.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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As a roguelite, Absolum ensures that upon death, you return to a realm with a shop where you can spend in-game currency on items or power-ups for your next run. Although this feature wasn't fully implemented 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 at my face like piranhas. I longed to experience the two-player co-op mode, which would not only divide the boss's attention but also enhance the game's enjoyment, as is often the case with beat-’em-ups.

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