Guard Crush Games, the developers behind Streets of Rage 4, have teamed up once again with publisher Dotemu for an exciting new project. This time, they're working on Dotemu's first original IP, a game called Absolum, featuring stunning hand-drawn animations by Supamonks and a captivating soundtrack by renowned composer Gareth Coker. With such a talented team involved, Absolum is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming world, and my hour-long hands-on experience suggests it won't remain unproven for long.
Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling beat-'em-up action-RPG that promises "deep replayability with branching paths to explore, quests, characters, and challenging bosses," according to the developers. From my experience, this claim holds true. The game is a visually stunning fantasy adventure offering multiple player classes, such as the sturdy, tank-like Karl and the agile, ranger-esque Galandra. Players will find themselves battling evil creatures, destroying environments in hopes of finding health-replenishing items like carrots, exploring buildings for treasure chests, and facing off against formidable bosses with massive health bars. Death is part of the journey, but it’s all about diving back in for another run. Additionally, though I didn’t get to experience it myself, the game supports two-player same-screen co-op.
For those who cherish memories of classic two-player beat-'em-ups from the 1980s and early '90s arcades, as well as games like Golden Axe on the Sega Genesis, Absolum evokes a delightful sense of nostalgia. Its Saturday morning cartoon-style art and animation contribute to this feeling. The combat system, though relatively simple with two buttons, offers enough depth to allow for varied attack strategies against different foes. The roguelite element adds a modern twist, enhancing replayability and keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
AnswerSee ResultsThroughout your journey in Absolum, you'll encounter various power-ups, both hidden and visible. Some are active weapons or spells activated by triggers and face buttons, while others are passive items stored in your inventory. These items change with each run, introducing a risk-reward dynamic that can significantly impact your strategy. For example, during one of my early runs, I picked up two orbs that boosted my damage by 20% each, but at the cost of reducing my health by the same percentage. This left me with a perilously small health bar, yet I could take down enemies swiftly. Fortunately, you have the flexibility to discard any item if the trade-offs become too steep.
Absolum - First Screenshots
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As a roguelite, Absolum ensures that upon death, you return to a realm where you can spend in-game currency at a shop to acquire items or power-ups for your next run. In the early build I played, this feature wasn't fully operational, making each new run a bit of a gamble regarding the quality of items and power-ups available.
Facing the first major boss was a challenging ordeal without the ability to spend my accumulated gold between runs. This boss was a colossal troll wielding a massive mace, capable of summoning smaller goblins, some of which would leap at you and bite away like piranhas. I wish I had experienced the two-player co-op mode, as it would have split the boss's attention and undoubtedly enhanced the experience, much like the classic beat-'em-ups we all love.
With its captivating art style, fluid animation, traditional side-scrolling beat-'em-up gameplay, and engaging roguelite loop, coupled with the developer's expertise in the genre, Absolum holds immense potential and promises to be a standout title. If you've missed the charm of couch co-op games, Absolum could be a refreshing return to form. I eagerly anticipate playing a more refined build as development continues, and my optimism for this game remains high.
