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

Guard Crush Games, the developers behind the acclaimed Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new venture. This time, they're bringing to life Dotemu's first original IP, Absolum, a project that boasts stunning hand-drawn animations courtesy of Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack by the renowned composer Gareth Coker. With such a talented team behind it, 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 that promises "deep replayability with branching paths to explore, quests, characters, and challenging bosses," according to the developers. My time with the game confirmed this, as I delved into a beautifully crafted fantasy world filled with diverse player classes. I tried out the robust Karl, reminiscent of a tank-y dwarf, and the agile Galandra, akin to a ranger with a sword. The gameplay involves battling evil creatures, destroying environments to uncover health-boosting items like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure or facing goblin ambushes, and tackling bosses with formidable health bars. Death is part of the cycle, leading to repeated attempts to conquer the game. Additionally, though I didn't experience it firsthand, the game supports two-player same-screen co-op, adding another layer of excitement.

For someone like me, who cherishes memories of two-player beat-’em-ups from the 1980s and early 1990s arcades, as well as classics like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum evokes a nostalgic yet refreshing feel. Its art and animation resemble a Saturday morning cartoon, while the combat system, though simple with two buttons, offers depth in mixing up attacks based on the enemy. The roguelite element adds a modern twist, enhancing replayability and keeping the game fresh and engaging.

As you progress through Absolum, you'll encounter both hidden and obvious power-ups. These include equippable active weapons or spells, activated by pulling triggers and pressing face buttons, and passive items stored in your inventory. The randomization of these items from run to run introduces a strategic element, where not all power-ups are beneficial. For instance, I once picked up two orbs that increased my damage output by 20% each but reduced my health by the same percentage, resulting in a critically small health bar. Fortunately, the game allows you to discard any unwanted items, enabling you to adapt your strategy on the fly.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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True to its roguelite nature, when you die in Absolum, 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 implemented in the early build I played, it hints at the potential for strategic planning between runs. My encounter with the first major boss—a mammoth troll wielding a giant mace and summoning goblin minions—underscored the game's challenging nature. While I couldn't capture footage of this battle, I can share images of a later, even tougher boss.

The absence of two-player co-op in my playthrough left me curious about how it would enhance the experience, especially in splitting the boss's attention. As anyone familiar with classic beat-’em-ups knows, these games truly shine in co-op mode. Despite this, Absolum's art style, animation, traditional side-scrolling gameplay, and roguelite mechanics, combined with the developers' expertise in the genre, suggest a game with immense potential. For fans missing the couch co-op experience, Absolum could be a refreshing addition. I eagerly await a more refined build as development progresses, and remain highly optimistic about its future.