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

Guard Crush Games, the developers behind the beloved Streets of Rage 4, have teamed up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new venture. This time, they're introducing Dotemu's first original IP, Absolum, a project that boasts stunning hand-drawn animations from Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack by acclaimed composer Gareth Coker. Given the talent involved, my hour-long hands-on experience suggests that Absolum is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-’em-up action-RPG designed for deep replayability. It features branching paths, quests, a variety of characters, and challenging bosses. During my playtime, I explored the richly detailed fantasy world, switching between the robust Karl, reminiscent of a dwarf, and the agile, sword-wielding Galandra, akin to a ranger. The gameplay involves battling evil creatures, smashing environments in hopes of uncovering health-replenishing items like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure or ambushes, and confronting bosses with formidable health bars. The cycle of dying and restarting adds to the game's allure, and although I didn't try it, there's also a two-player co-op mode available.

For those who cherish memories of classic two-player beat-’em-ups from the '80s and early '90s arcades, as well as iconic games like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum evokes a nostalgic yet refreshing feel. The game's Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation contribute to this sentiment. The combat system, though simple with only two buttons, offers enough depth to vary attacks based on the opponent. The roguelite aspect injects a modern twist, enhancing replayability and adding a strategic edge to the gameplay.

As you progress through Absolum, you'll encounter various power-ups, both hidden and obvious. Some are active weapons or spells, triggered by pulling a trigger and pressing a face button, while others are passive items that reside in your inventory. These items randomize with each new run, introducing a risk-reward dynamic that can significantly influence your strategy. For example, during an early run, I acquired two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each, at the cost of reducing my health by the same percentage. This left me with a dangerously low health bar but allowed me to eliminate enemies swiftly. The flexibility to discard any item at any time adds another layer of tactical decision-making.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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True to its roguelite nature, death in Absolum leads you back to a realm with a shop where you can spend in-game currency on items or power-ups for your next attempt. This feature wasn't fully implemented in the early build I tested, making my experience reliant on the random selection of items and power-ups for each run.

Absolum showcases immense potential, and its likelihood of success is high. In my playthrough, I faced a challenging boss—a mammoth troll wielding a massive mace and summoning smaller goblins that could leap and bite like piranhas. The absence of two-player co-op in my session was felt, as this mode typically enhances the experience by dividing the boss's focus and amplifying the joy of gameplay, a hallmark of classic beat-’em-ups.

With its captivating art style, dynamic animations, traditional side-scrolling beat-’em-up mechanics, and engaging roguelite elements, coupled with the proven track record of its developers in this genre, Absolum promises to be a standout title. For fans mourning the decline of couch co-op games, Absolum offers a refreshing return to form. As development continues, I eagerly anticipate playing a more refined build, and my optimism for this game remains unwavering.