Guard Crush Games, the studio behind Streets of Rage 4, is teaming up once again with publisher Dotemu for a new beat-'em-up. This time, it's Dotemu's first original IP: Absolum. Boasting stunning hand-drawn animation by Supamonks and a killer soundtrack by Gareth Coker, Absolum is shaping up to be something special. My hands-on experience confirmed this.
Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG built for deep replayability. It delivers on that promise. The game features branching paths, quests, diverse characters, and challenging bosses. I played as Karl, a tanky dwarf-like character, and Galandra, a nimble ranger-type wielding a sword. Gameplay involves battling fantastical creatures, smashing environments in search of health pickups, exploring buildings for treasure (and ambushes!), and facing epic boss battles. Death is inevitable, but each playthrough offers new challenges and rewards, fueling the replayability. Two-player co-op is also planned (though I didn't get to try it).
The game evokes a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of classic arcade beat-'em-ups from the 80s and 90s, like *Golden Axe*. The Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation enhance this feeling. Combat is straightforward, using a two-button system that allows for strategic attack variations depending on the enemy. The roguelite elements, however, inject a modern twist, adding both challenge and immense replay value. AnswerSee ResultsPlayers will encounter various power-ups, both active and passive. Active items, such as weapons or spells, are activated using triggers and face buttons. Passive items provide ongoing benefits. The randomized nature of these items introduces a risk-reward element to each run. Players can drop unwanted items at any time.
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Upon death (which is part of the roguelite experience), players return to a shop where they can spend in-game currency to purchase items for their next run. This feature wasn't fully implemented in the preview build I played.
Despite this, Absolum shows immense promise. The challenging boss encounters (I faced a mammoth troll summoning goblins!) highlighted the need for strategic item choices. Two-player co-op will undoubtedly enhance the experience.
The art style, animation, classic beat-'em-up gameplay, and the roguelite loop all combine to create a compelling experience. Given the developers' track record, Absolum has a high chance of becoming a fantastic game, especially for those missing couch co-op. I'm eagerly anticipating future builds.
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