„Rogue ’em up” Absolum is an original roguelike beat ’em up from veteran developers and you can play the demo for a few more weeks

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Hailing from the same talented group behind popular beat ’em up games like TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Streets of Rage 4, and the forthcoming Marvel Cosmic Invasion, comes Absolum. Unlike their previous projects, this is an entirely new intellectual property. Dotemu is partnering with Guard Crush and Supamonks to create this cooperative couch gaming experience, blending roguelike elements with beat ’em up action, set in a grim fantasy realm.

Absolum is a co-op roguelike beat ‘em up from the genre masters

Prior to Summer Game Fest, I hadn’t considered myself as someone who particularly enjoyed beat ’em up games. Sure, I’ve dabbled with a few here and there and had a good time, but I usually attributed that enjoyment to the shared experience of playing with friends. Games like “Streets of Rage 4” and “TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge” were fun, but they weren’t something I would get deeply invested in. However, my perspective changed when I tried a preview of “Absolum“.

Over the past few years, roguelike games have been transforming various video game genres remarkably. It’s quite astonishing that a cooperative beat ’em up game hasn’t emerged sooner. Absolum, for instance, skillfully incorporates the roguelike aspect into its gameplay. Unlike starting over from scratch as if traveling back in time, Absolum presents a dark fantasy setting where resurrection magic is prevalent.

The main characters of this game are part of a coven of wizards who revere Mother, an immensely powerful magic user capable of reviving fallen comrades. In this world, bands of potent wizards strive to safeguard their patron since their defeat can only be ensured if their protector is slain, leading to a permanent demise.

The main struggle in the story of Absolum centers around an evil ruler who aims to dominate the practice of magic. Soldiers within this realm attack wizards immediately, causing other adversaries to harbor suspicion towards these magical beings as well. As you embark on your journey, you must make decisions about which destinations to explore on the map, with the end goal being to confront the emperor and undermine his empire.

Initially, fighting seems disorderly, as if mindlessly pressing buttons could carry you through the game. However, it doesn’t take long to realize that this method won’t lead you very far. As the opponents grow intricate and multiple enemies swarm, you must strategize your approach for each one. Yet, there’s something exhilarating about the chaos as well.

In every mission, you’ll stumble upon bonus abilities, reminiscent of any well-designed roguelike game. You’ll often find yourself deciding between two possibilities, several of which grant you the power to manipulate different elements. I particularly enjoyed a couple of these. One transformed my dash into a fiery streak, burning enemies and causing continuous damage. Another turned an enemy into a bubble during a basic combo sequence. This bubble made it simpler to prolong combos in mid-air, which was always enjoyable. Any skill that sent enemies soaring and bouncing off obstacles was fantastic.

At the moment, I’ve only had a chance to play with three characters in the demo, but there’s an intriguing fourth one on the way – a wizard frog! I can hardly wait to give this amphibian sorcerer a whirl. The newest character is Cider, who specializes in close-quarters combat and has a grappling hook for pulling enemies closer for explosive combos. Galandra wields a sword for wide sweeping attacks, and Karl uses his fists and a blunderbuss. I found myself having the most fun with Cider, but each of them offers a unique playstyle that’s a blast to experience.

During my Summer Game Fest demonstration, unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to test the multiplayer aspects, but I can envision it adding an extra layer of excitement that would make the game even more enjoyable. This game seems tailor-made for the Nintendo Switch. Simply hand out a Joy-Con to each friend, relax, and battle together through the levels filled with adversaries.

It’s important to note that while this game doesn’t follow the traditional pixel art style Dotemu is famous for, it nevertheless boasts a striking visual appeal. The characters and enemies are expertly designed, with the progression from battling wolves and crabs to goblins, armored humans, and finally the imperial troops serving as an excellent visual depiction of escalating difficulty. I may be able to take down a horde of goblins, but when a knight in black armor appears on the scene, I instantly recognize that this is no ordinary foe.

If you find this intriguing and want to give it a shot, the demo for the game Absolum is still accessible for a few more weeks on Steam. Although there’s no confirmed release date for the entire game yet, the demo has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from fans, with over 90% of the reviews being positive out of more than 350. Once Absolum is finally released, it will be playable on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. You can add it to your wishlist in anticipation.

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2025-06-17 05:02