Guard Crush Games, the studio behind Streets of Rage 4, is teaming up once again with Dotemu for a new beat-'em-up. This time, it's Dotemu's first original IP: Absolum. Boasting stunning hand-drawn animation by Supamonks and a killer soundtrack by Gareth Coker, Absolum is shaping up to be something special. My hands-on experience confirmed this.
Absolum is a gorgeous, side-scrolling roguelite beat-'em-up/action-RPG built for endless replayability. The developers promise branching paths, quests, diverse characters, and challenging bosses—and they deliver. I played as Karl, a tanky dwarf-like character, and Galandra, a nimble ranger-type, battling fantastical creatures, smashing environments in search of health pickups, exploring buildings for treasure (and ambushes!), and facing colossal bosses. Death is inevitable, but each run offers a fresh experience. Two-player same-screen co-op is also planned, though I couldn't try it during my preview.
For fans of classic arcade beat-'em-ups like *Golden Axe*, *Absolum* offers a nostalgic yet modernized experience. The simple, yet effective, two-button combat system allows for strategic attacks, while the roguelite elements add depth and replayability. AnswerSee ResultsPower-ups, both active and passive, add another layer of strategy. These randomize each run, creating exciting risk-reward scenarios. I found myself strategically choosing power-ups based on their potential impact and drawbacks. You can drop unwanted items at any time.Absolum - First Screenshots
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Between runs, a shop allows you to spend in-game currency to buy upgrades for future attempts. This feature wasn't fully functional in the preview build.
My experience with the first major boss was challenging, particularly due to the limited shop functionality. I faced a massive troll that summoned goblin minions. Two-player co-op would likely make this encounter significantly easier and more enjoyable.
Despite this, Absolum shows immense potential. The art style, animation, gameplay, and roguelite loop, combined with the developers' proven track record, point to a highly promising title. For those yearning for engaging couch co-op, Absolum could be the answer. I'm eagerly anticipating the final product.
