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

Guard Crush Games, the developers behind the acclaimed Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new beat-'em-up. This time, they're bringing to life Dotemu's first original IP, named Absolum, which boasts stunning hand-drawn animations crafted by Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack composed by the renowned 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 diverse 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 or ambushes, and facing off against bosses with formidable 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 cherish memories of classic two-player beat-'em-ups from the '80s and early '90s arcades, as well as gems 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 against different foes. The roguelite mechanics inject a modern twist, enhancing the game's replayability and giving it a fresh edge.

As you progress through Absolum, you'll encounter both hidden and obvious power-ups. These include equippable active weapons or spells, activated by triggers and face buttons, and passive items that reside in your inventory. The randomization of 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 low health bar but quicker enemy dispatch. 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 operational in the early build I played, it promises to add another layer of strategy to the game. My encounter with the first major boss—a mammoth troll wielding a giant mace and summoning goblin minions—highlighted the game's challenge. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture footage of this encounter, but I can share images of another formidable boss.

The potential for two-player co-op, which I didn't get to experience, is something I'm eager to try. Co-op play could split the boss's attention and enhance the game's enjoyment, as it does in classic beat-'em-ups. Absolum's blend of art style, animation, traditional side-scrolling gameplay, and roguelite elements, combined with the developers' expertise in the genre, suggests a high likelihood of success. If you've missed the camaraderie of couch co-op games, Absolum could be a refreshing return to form. I'm eagerly anticipating a more refined build as development continues, and my optimism for this game remains high.