Absolum: 2 Days Out and It’s Already a Hit!
A few months back, in March of this year, we talked here about Absolum, a new roguelike beat ‘em up whose launch was about to be announced. Now it’s a fact, and it’s finally here. Published by Dotemu and Gamirror Games, and developed by Guard Crush Games, Supamonks, and Dotemu, this side-scrolling fantasy action game launched only two days ago, on October 9th, and it’s already a success both in media reviews and among players on Steam!
Its formula seems simple but effective, and while the concept really is, it has several strong points that resonate with players, so much so that it’s already being called one of the year’s biggest surprises. For Dotemu, Absolum is their first fully original IP, and it’s already available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5. This title follows the path set by other new-generation beat ‘em ups like Streets of Rage 4 and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, aiming high for a return to the basics that fascinated us so much in the old arcades, but adding roguelike mechanics and RPG depth. This is Absolum by Dotemu, shared via IGN on YouTube:
A Glorious Return to the Roots of Beat ‘em Ups
Absolum masterfully mixes classic arcade combat with captivating RPG depth and roguelike mechanics, a combo you wouldn’t expect in a traditional beat ‘em up. The studios behind its development have brought us modern gems like Streets of Rage 4, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, and some entries from iconic franchises like Double Dragon and Metal Slug. So it’s no surprise that the animation, gameplay, and story set the bar incredibly high for this fast-paced beat ‘em up genre that we’re so passionate about and love playing.
As said by its developers and confirmed by players, Absolum feels like a natural evolution of the genre, a mix between Golden Axe and Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara, with the original additions we mentioned before. Gameplay encourages us not to just mash buttons like there’s no tomorrow: here you have to chain combos, use magic powers, counterattack at the right time, and experiment again and again with different upgrades between runs. Needless to say, the result of all this is simply awesome.
When it comes to music, Dotemu definitely took things to another level: the main soundtrack is handled by Gareth Coker, the same guy who worked his magic on the Ori titles and Halo Infinite, and they even brought in heavy hitters like Yuka Kitamura (Dark Souls, Elden Ring), Mick Gordon (Doom Eternal, Atomic Heart), and Motoi Sakuraba (Golden Sun, Dark Souls). It’s a full-blown orchestral adventure, making every punch, every boss, and every moment feel absolutely epic.
The Story Behind Absolum
The destruction of Talamh, caused by a magical cataclysm at the hands of ambitious wizards, made ordinary people distrust magic. Azra, the Sun King, took advantage of this panic, enslaved the wizards through his Crimson Order, and left the rule of the conquered kingdoms to his loyal princes. As Azra’s forces claim more and more land, the great sorceress Uchawi and a small group of rebels rise from the shadows, wielding forbidden magic to challenge his oppressive reign and absolute magical power.
In Absolum, we play as two outcast heroes of Talamh, each with a unique fighting style. On one side, Galandra, the mighty necromancer from the shadows of Yeldrim, who channels the unstoppable force of nature through relentless, colossus-like sword strikes and chilling, destructive powers. And on the other, Karl, the last free dwarf of Talamh. This grumpy old warrior, with brute strength and a sharp mind, combines his fists with his powerful ancestral blunderbuss to unleash devastating short-range attacks while explosively moving across the battlefield. These two heroes become steadfast allies in the uprising against Azra’s oppression.
But Galandra and Karl aren’t alone. Along their journey, two more mysterious heroes join them, sharing common goals. The prodigy mage Brome, concerned with preserving the future generations of his people, and the enigmatic Cider, an agile skirmisher searching for answers among the scattered fragments of his own soul.
So…
Absolum is here to stay, and the reception from both players and critics has been more than positive. When it comes to the beat ‘em up genre, especially side-scrolling ones, Dotemu and company have undoubtedly raised the bar for future titles and given us a glorious return to the roots we obviously appreciate so much. In case you haven’t read it, HERE you can find our previous article about the game. Absolum launched this October 9th and is now available for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC through Steam. And you… what are you waiting for? You should already be playing it as we speak! And while you’re at it, don’t forget to leave us your opinion below! You know gamer, we’ll be reading you! 🙂
Images Source: IGN Official YouTube channel, Absolum on Steam, Max Level Gamer
