Absolum: New Roguelite from Streets of Rage 4 Team

Guard Crush Games, the team behind Streets of Rage 4, has teamed up once more with Dotemu for an ambitious new beat-'em-up – titled Absolum. This marks Dotemu's first original IP, boasting stunning hand-drawn animations from Supamonks studio and an original soundtrack by renowned composer Gareth Coker (Ori series). While unproven, my hands-on demo suggests Absolum won't remain obscure for long.

A Fresh Take on Classic Brawlers

Absolum blends roguelite mechanics with side-scrolling beat-'em-up action and RPG elements. Developers describe it as offering "deep replayability with branching paths, quests, unique characters, and challenging bosses" – promises my demo consistently delivered. The fantasy-themed adventure features multiple character classes – during my session, I experimented with Karl (a sturdy dwarf-like tank) and Galandra (a nimble ranger/swordsman).

Gameplay follows classic brawler traditions: pummeling enemies, destructible environments (occasionally hiding health-restoring carrots), surprise building interiors housing treasure or ambushes, and massive boss battles with intimidating health bars. Though I didn't experience it firsthand, two-player local co-op will be available at launch.

Modernizing the Formula

As someone who grew up with arcade classics like Golden Axe, Absolum struck a perfect nostalgic chord while introducing fresh mechanics. The vibrant Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic complements its accessible yet nuanced combat system – simple two-button controls allow strategic attack variations depending on enemy types.

The roguelite framework provides compelling modern hooks: randomized power-ups include equippable weapons/spells (trigger-activated) and passive inventory bonuses. Not all upgrades prove beneficial though – early in one run, I acquired two damage-boosting orbs that each reduced my health by 20%, creating exhilarating high-risk gameplay.

Challenging Roguelite Progression

True to the genre, death resets progress but unlocks a hub area featuring shops to upgrade subsequent runs using earned currency. The preview build's incomplete economy meant relying on randomized gear drops – particularly punishing during my initial troll boss encounter, whose devastating mace swings summoned piranha-like goblins.

Local co-op (absent from my demo) could dramatically shift these battles by splitting enemy focus – historically where brawlers shine brightest.

Visual Preview

Between its gorgeous art direction, fluid animations, satisfying combat loop, and the developers' proven pedigree, Absolum shows tremendous promise. For gamers mourning the decline of couch co-op experiences, this might be the breath of fresh air the genre needs. While awaiting further polish, early signs point toward something special.