"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 project. This time, they're venturing into uncharted territory with Dotemu's first original IP, dubbed Absolum. The game boasts stunning hand-drawn animations courtesy of Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack composed by the renowned Gareth Coker. With such a powerhouse team behind it, my hour-long hands-on session suggests that Absolum won't remain unproven for long.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG, crafted for "deep replayability with branching paths to explore, quests, characters, and challenging bosses," according to the developers. My experience confirms this, showcasing a beautifully crafted fantasy world with diverse player classes. I tested the robust dwarf-like Karl and the agile, ranger-esque Galandra, engaging in combat with evil creatures, demolishing environments in hopes of uncovering health-replenishing items like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure or facing goblin ambushes, and battling bosses with formidable health bars. The cycle of death and rebirth adds to the game's appeal. While I didn't experience it, the game also supports two-player same-screen co-op.

For someone like me, who cherishes memories of two-player beat-'em-ups from the '80s and early '90s arcades, as well as classics like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum strikes a nostalgic chord. The game's Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation, combined with a straightforward yet nuanced two-button combat system, brings back that familiar feel while allowing for varied attacks against different enemies. The roguelite element injects a modern twist, enhancing replayability and giving the game 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 pulling a trigger and pressing a face button, 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 an early run, I equipped two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each but reduced my health by the same percentage, resulting in a perilously small health bar. Fortunately, you can drop any item at any time if the trade-off becomes too risky.

Absolum - First Screenshots

10 Images

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 depth to the game's progression system.

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 you, biting away like piranhas. I longed to experience the two-player co-op mode, which could split the boss's attention and enhance the game's enjoyment, as is often the case with beat-'em-ups.

With its captivating art style, animation, classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up gameplay, and engaging roguelite loop, coupled with the developers' expertise in the genre, Absolum holds immense potential. It's poised to revive the spirit of couch co-op gaming, at least temporarily. I eagerly anticipate playing a more refined version as development continues, and my optimism for Absolum remains high.