If you're a fan of side-scrolling beat-’em-ups and nostalgic arcade action, Absolum might just be the game to watch in the near future. Developed by Guard Crush Games—the team behind Streets of Rage 4—and published by Dotemu, this new project marks Dotemu’s first original IP. With hand-drawn visuals from Supamonks and a richly composed soundtrack by acclaimed composer Gareth Coker, Absolum brings together an impressive lineup of creative talent.
From my hands-on experience with a preview build of Absolum, I can say that it delivers on its promise of blending classic beat-’em-up mechanics with modern roguelite elements. The game is designed for deep replayability, featuring branching paths, quests, unlockable characters, and intense boss battles. Set in a beautifully animated fantasy world, Absolum offers multiple playable classes, each with distinct playstyles. During my session, I tried out Karl, a tanky dwarf-like fighter, and Galandra, a nimble ranger who wields a sword with finesse.
As you fight through waves of enemies, smash destructible environments (often revealing health pickups or hidden items), and occasionally duck into buildings for treasure or ambushes, you’ll eventually face off against massive bosses with enormous health bars. And just like in classic games of the genre, death is inevitable—but it's also part of the loop. Each time you fall, you return to a realm hub where you can spend earned currency in a shop to enhance your next run. Unfortunately, this feature wasn’t fully functional in the early build I played, making item drops more of a gamble than a strategic choice.
For fans of retro co-op gameplay, Absolum supports two-player local co-op, which should elevate both the challenge and fun—especially during boss fights. Speaking of which, one particularly memorable encounter involved a towering troll wielding a massive mace while summoning goblin minions to swarm me. It was chaotic, fast-paced, and exactly what I’d expect from a modern take on the genre.
The combat system is simple but satisfying, built around a two-button control scheme that allows players to mix up attacks depending on the enemy type. On top of that, the game features a wide variety of power-ups—some active, activated via triggers and face buttons, and others passive, offering stat boosts or unique effects. These items randomly appear in each run, and not all are necessarily beneficial. Some offer powerful advantages at the cost of significant penalties, such as gaining increased damage while sacrificing health. Fortunately, you’re free to drop any unwanted item mid-run if the trade-off becomes too risky.
Visually, Absolum feels like a love letter to the Saturday morning cartoons and 16-bit beat-’em-ups of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Its Saturday-morning-cartoon aesthetic, combined with smooth animation and expressive character designs, makes every moment feel vibrant and lively. This, paired with the roguelite structure, gives the game a fresh yet familiar edge that sets it apart from other titles in the genre.
All things considered, Absolum has tremendous potential. With its engaging gameplay loop, charming art style, and strong development pedigree, it seems poised to become a standout title in the modern beat-’em-up revival. If you've missed the days of couch co-op brawlers, Absolum could very well be the game to bring those memories roaring back. I’m eagerly awaiting a more polished version as development continues, but based on what I’ve seen so far, optimism is definitely warranted.
Absolum – First Screenshots
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