Guard Crush Games, the developers behind Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new beat-'em-up project. This time, Dotemu is venturing into uncharted territory with their first original IP, titled Absolum. Featuring stunning hand-drawn animations crafted by Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack composed by the acclaimed Gareth Coker, this game brings together a powerhouse of talent. After spending an hour with Absolum, it's clear that this title is poised to make a significant impact on the gaming scene.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG designed to offer "deep replayability with branching paths to explore, quests, characters, and challenging bosses," according to the developers. My hands-on experience confirmed these claims. The game is a visually striking fantasy adventure that offers a variety of player classes. I had the pleasure of playing as the sturdy, tank-like Karl and the agile, ranger-esque Galandra. The gameplay involves battling evil creatures, destroying environments in search of health-restoring pickups like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure chests, and engaging in intense boss fights with massive health bars. Death is part of the journey, and you're encouraged to restart and refine your strategy. Additionally, though I didn't get to experience it, Absolum supports two-player same-screen co-op.

For those with nostalgic memories of classic two-player beat-'em-ups from the '80s and '90s arcades, as well as gems like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum strikes a familiar yet refreshing chord. The game's art and animation evoke a Saturday morning cartoon vibe, while the combat system, though simple with two buttons, offers depth through varied attack combinations suited to different enemies. The roguelite aspect injects a modern twist, enhancing replayability and keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

As you progress through Absolum, you'll encounter both hidden and obvious power-ups. Some are active weapons or spells that you can equip and activate using triggers and face buttons, while others are passive items that enhance your abilities from your inventory. These items vary with each run, introducing a strategic risk-reward system. For example, during one of my early runs, I picked up two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each but reduced my health by the same percentage. This left me with a critically low health bar but allowed me to take down enemies swiftly. Fortunately, you can drop any unwanted item from your inventory at any time, allowing you to adapt your strategy mid-run.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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As a roguelite, Absolum features a death-and-retry mechanic where you return to a realm with a shop to 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 promises to add another layer of strategy and progression to the game.

My encounter with the first major boss—a mammoth troll wielding a gigantic mace and summoning smaller goblins—was particularly challenging. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture footage of this battle, but I can share images of another formidable boss. The absence of two-player co-op in my session was keenly felt, as this mode could have split the boss's attention and added to the excitement, a hallmark of classic beat-'em-ups.

With its captivating art style, engaging animation, classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up gameplay, and innovative roguelite loop, Absolum shows immense promise. The developer's experience in the genre only adds to the anticipation. For those who miss the camaraderie of couch co-op games, Absolum is poised to revive this cherished experience. As development progresses, I eagerly await a more polished build, but for now, my optimism for this game remains high.