A new contender is entering teh resurgent beat ’em up genre, blending nostalgic action with modern Roguelike elements. Developed by Guard Crush-known for their work on Streets of Rage 4-in partnership with Supamonks and DotEmu, Absolum distinguishes itself with an original fantasy setting and striking visual style. early previews highlight a compelling combination of fast-paced combat and evolving character builds, offering a fresh take on a classic formula.
Almost every game genre has seen a resurgence or reimagining in recent years. From poker and tactical strategy games to the classic “one-armed bandit” slot machines, developers are blending styles and mechanics. Now, side-scrolling beat ‘em ups – a genre ripe for revival – are experiencing a notable comeback, building on successes like the DLC for Streets of Rage 4.
Guard Crush, a co-developer of Streets of Rage 4, has partnered with animation studio Supamonks and French retro publisher DotEmu to create a new take on the genre. The team is building a classic beat ‘em up experience infused with Roguelike elements, a compelling combination that sets it apart. Rather than leaning on an existing franchise, however, they’ve opted to build an original fantasy universe with surprisingly deep lore. This approach, while less common in the fighting game space, echoes the success of titles like Golden Axe.
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What immediately stands out about Absolum isn’t just the genre blending, but its striking aesthetic. The fluid, expressive animation, broad yet refined color palette, and stunning backgrounds create a visually captivating experience. It feels like a dynamic graphic novel or Saturday morning cartoon brought to life, and simply exploring a new area – or even revisiting an old one – is a pleasure. The game’s visual fidelity demonstrates the growing sophistication of indie game development and the power of artistic direction.
However, the game delivers on action as well. Combat feels incredibly satisfying, mirroring the crisp responsiveness found in top-tier beat ‘em ups. Every punch, kick, and sword strike lands with weight, thanks to the lively animations and impactful sound design. Guard Crush has further enhanced the experience with subtle details, like slow-motion effects when defeating bosses or clearing the final wave of enemies.
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The control scheme is straightforward: light and heavy attacks, a dash that can be chained into a sprint, jumps that can be combined with attacks, special abilities that consume mana, and a powerful ultimate attack for occasional use. Combos are present, but limited in number and not permanent. Instead, the focus is on the quick builds characteristic of the Roguelike genre, which evolve as you play. Initially, the limited character customization options felt restrictive, but it soon became clear that Absolum gradually introduces more choices. In keeping with the fantasy setting, the game utilizes elements like fire, water, lightning, and wind, alongside more esoteric options, but you won’t be able to select lightning-based upgrades until you discover the corresponding rituals within the game world. This can lead to repetition early on, especially for players accustomed to the breadth of options available from the start in games like Hades 2. The variety within each element also feels somewhat limited.
However, if you find yourself growing weary after a few hours, rest assured that things do improve. Suddenly, you’ll have five or six elements available, and encountering an NPC at the start of the second biome unlocks the ability to combine and enhance elements, leading to some surprisingly powerful and flexible synergies. This is a welcome development, though the game could benefit from loosening the build restrictions earlier on.
Permanent upgrades aren’t the game’s strongest feature. They come in three forms, impacting your character, combo options, and the upgrades you find during runs. Examples include reviving after death, stronger critical hits, new special attacks, and variations to the gameplay flow. The issue isn’t the number of permanent upgrades, but how straightforwardly they’re applied. Unlike Hades 2, where you must carefully consider whether an improvement is worth sacrificing another, Absolum features three forms of currency that are automatically collected. You feel the changes and the sense of getting stronger, but the unlocking process lacks depth.
The starting area suffers from a similar issue. While visually stunning, showcasing the grandeur of the world of Talamh, the NPCs are sparse and offer little beyond upgrades, and returning to the starting point rarely presents new, compelling developments. Rogue Prince of Persia from Evil Empire encountered a similar challenge.
However, things dramatically improve when you set out to defeat the evil Sun King Azra, who has enslaved Talamh and basks in the sun atop a tower in the capital city. Like Dead Cells and Rogue Prince of Persia, Absolum employs a branching approach to progression. The first world, Grandery, features numerous paths, all leading to the first major boss – the intricately animated Underking. These characters are unlocked through optional side quests, helping to flesh out the surprisingly rich lore of Talamh, though the core narrative doesn’t fully support it, remaining largely within classic tropes.
Initially, I was somewhat disappointed by the potential of the second world, as it seemed limited. That is, until I discovered that after several attempts to conquer it, you actually have the opportunity to choose a completely different world, with its own side story, boss battles, and a vastly different visual style.
As a result, Absolum remains fresh, even though the relatively handcrafted environments limit Guard Crush’s use of procedural generation. Furthermore, there are four uniquely playable characters, each with their own personal story. And unlike Rogue Prince of Persia, where your goal always feels like completing a primary objective, Absolum’s similar approach encourages exploration of this beautiful world based on desire and curiosity. That’s quite an accomplishment for a beat ‘em up.
Overall, Absolum isn’t quite as polished as another major action Roguelike release this year, Hades 2. But honestly, battling the Sun King Azra was more engaging than reclaiming my father’s house from my grandfather. Perhaps that’s because Absolum’s genre blend feels so fresh, while Hades 2 largely treads familiar ground. I also appreciate the tight combat and the unexpectedly well-realized world, presented with such beauty and vibrancy. It’s one of the biggest pleasant surprises of the year.
