Guard Crush Games, the developers behind Streets of Rage 4, are once again teaming up with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new project. This time, they're bringing us Dotemu's first original IP, titled Absolum, which promises to be a stunning addition to the beat-'em-up genre. With beautiful hand-drawn animations crafted by Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack composed by the renowned Gareth Coker, Absolum is shaping up to be a powerhouse of talent. After spending an hour hands-on with the game, it's clear that this project is poised to make a significant impact.
Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG designed to offer deep replayability with branching paths, quests, diverse characters, and formidable bosses. My experience with the game confirmed its rich features. It's a visually striking fantasy adventure where players can choose from multiple classes, such as the sturdy, dwarf-like Karl and the agile, ranger-esque Galandra. Players will battle evil creatures, destroy environments in hopes of uncovering health-replenishing items like carrots, explore buildings for treasure or face ambushes, confront bosses with immense health bars, and upon death, restart the cycle. Additionally, the game supports two-player same-screen co-op, although I didn't have the chance to experience it firsthand.
For those of us who cherish memories of classic two-player beat-'em-ups from the 1980s and early '90s arcades, as well as iconic titles like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum evokes a comforting sense of nostalgia. Its Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation contribute to this feeling. The combat system, though simple with two buttons, offers enough depth to engage players by varying attacks according to the enemy encountered. The integration of roguelite elements adds a modern twist, enhancing replayability and bringing a fresh challenge to each playthrough.
AnswerSee ResultsThroughout your journey in Absolum, you'll uncover both hidden and apparent power-ups. These can be active weapons or spells that you activate with triggers and face buttons, or passive items that enhance your inventory. The randomization of these items between runs introduces a risk-reward dynamic that can significantly influence your strategy. For example, during one run, I equipped two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each but reduced my health by the same percentage. This left me with a perilously small health bar but allowed me to defeat enemies swiftly. Fortunately, the game allows you to drop any item from your inventory if the trade-offs become too risky.
Absolum - First Screenshots
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As a roguelite, Absolum ensures that upon death, you return to a realm featuring a shop where you can spend in-game currency to purchase items or power-ups for your next run. However, in the early build I played, this feature was not fully implemented, leaving the quality of items and power-ups to chance on each new run.
Despite not being able to use my earned gold between runs, I faced a formidable challenge with the first major boss—a mammoth troll wielding a giant mace and summoning smaller goblins. These goblins would leap onto you and bite away at your face like piranhas. I longed to experience the two-player co-op mode, which not only divides the boss's attention but also enhances the enjoyment, as any fan of classic beat-'em-ups can attest.
With its captivating art style, animation, classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up gameplay, and engaging roguelite loop, combined with the developers' proven track record in this genre, Absolum holds immense potential. It could very well become a standout title for those who miss the camaraderie of couch co-op games. I eagerly await the chance to play a more refined build as development progresses, and my optimism for Absolum remains high.
