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

Guard Crush Games, the developers behind the acclaimed Streets of Rage 4, are teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new beat-’em-up. This time, they're bringing to life Dotemu's first original IP, titled Absolum. With stunning hand-drawn-style animations courtesy of Supamonks and an evocative soundtrack by the renowned video game composer Gareth Coker, this project boasts a stellar lineup of talent. After spending an hour hands-on with Absolum, it's clear that this game is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world.

Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-’em-up action-RPG designed for deep replayability. The developers promise branching paths, quests, diverse characters, and challenging bosses, and my experience confirmed these features. The game is a visually captivating fantasy adventure offering multiple player classes, from the sturdy, tank-like Karl to the agile, ranger-esque Galandra. Players will find themselves battling evil creatures, smashing environments to uncover health-boosting items like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure chests or facing surprise goblin ambushes, confronting bosses with formidable health bars, and then restarting the cycle upon defeat. Additionally, though not experienced firsthand, Absolum supports two-player same-screen co-op.

For those who fondly remember the golden era of arcade beat-’em-ups in the '80s and early '90s, as well as classics like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum evokes a nostalgic yet refreshing experience. The game's Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation contribute to this feeling, while a simple yet effective two-button combat system allows for varied attacks based on the enemies you face. The integration of roguelite mechanics adds a modern twist, enhancing replayability and depth.

As players progress through Absolum, they'll encounter both hidden and obvious power-ups. These can be active weapons or spells, activated using triggers and face buttons, or passive items that reside in the inventory. The randomization of items from run to run introduces a compelling risk-reward dynamic. For instance, during one run, I acquired two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each but at the cost of 20% of my health, resulting in a critically reduced health bar. The ability to drop any item at any time allows players to manage these trade-offs strategically.

Absolum - First Screenshots

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As a roguelite, Absolum features a shop in the realm you return to upon death, where in-game currency can be spent on items or power-ups for subsequent runs. Though this feature wasn't fully operational in the build I tested, it's clear that future runs will depend on the quality of randomized items and power-ups.

My encounter with the first major boss, a mammoth troll wielding a giant mace and summoning smaller goblins, was challenging due to the inability to spend gold between runs. The absence of two-player co-op during my session was felt, as these types of games typically thrive in multiplayer settings, especially when facing formidable bosses.

Overall, with its captivating art style, engaging animation, classic side-scrolling beat-’em-up gameplay, and innovative roguelite loop, Absolum holds immense potential. The developer's expertise in the genre further bolsters its prospects. For fans missing the charm of couch co-op games, Absolum promises to be a refreshing revival. As development continues, I eagerly anticipate exploring a more refined version of the game, and my optimism about its success remains high.