Guard Crush Games, the creators of Streets of Rage 4, are 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 composed by Gareth Coker. This powerhouse team has created a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG brimming with replayability.
My hands-on experience confirmed the developers' promise of "deep replayability with branching paths, quests, characters, and challenging bosses." Absolum is a visually captivating fantasy adventure featuring multiple playable characters. I played as Karl, a tanky dwarf-like character, and Galandra, a nimble ranger-type wielding a sword. Gameplay involves battling fantastical creatures, smashing environments in search of health pickups (carrots are a personal favorite!), exploring buildings for treasure, facing formidable bosses, and then, inevitably, dying and starting again. Two-player same-screen co-op is also planned, though I didn't get to try it during my playthrough.
The game evokes a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of classic arcade beat-'em-ups from the 80s and 90s, like *Golden Axe*. The art style and animation have a Saturday morning cartoon vibe, and the straightforward two-button combat system allows for strategic attack variations depending on the enemy. However, the roguelite elements add a modern twist, boosting replayability significantly. AnswerSee ResultsPlayers will discover a variety of power-ups, both active and passive. Active items, like weapons or spells, are activated using triggers and face buttons, while passives enhance your stats. The randomized nature of these power-ups adds a layer of strategic risk and reward. For example, I found two orbs boosting damage at the cost of health, creating a high-risk, high-reward scenario. Fortunately, you can drop unwanted items at any time.Absolum - First Screenshots
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As expected in a roguelite, death sends you back to a shop where you can spend in-game currency to purchase items for your next run. In the preview build, this shop wasn't fully functional, making item acquisition somewhat random.
Despite this early-stage limitation, Absolum shows immense potential. The first major boss, a mammoth troll wielding a giant mace and summoning goblins, proved quite challenging without optimal upgrades. While I lacked footage of that encounter, I can showcase a later, even more formidable boss. Two-player co-op would undoubtedly enhance the experience, splitting boss attention and offering the classic cooperative fun of the genre.
Absolum's art style, animation, classic beat-'em-up gameplay, and roguelite mechanics, combined with the developers' proven track record, create a compelling package. It's a promising title for those craving couch co-op experiences. I eagerly anticipate playing a more polished version as development progresses, and remain highly optimistic about its future.
