The side-scrolling beat ’em up is back — again — and Absolum might just be the best it’s been in decades. From the creative dream team behind Streets of Rage 4 (Dotemu and Guard Crush Games), joined by Supamonks for their hand-animated artistry, Absolum breathes new life into the brawler genre with modern roguelite depth, an epic fantasy setting, and a soundtrack that absolutely rips.
It’s loud, beautiful, and surprisingly emotional — a furious storm of fists, spells, and rebellion that proves there’s still magic left in 2D combat.
Magic, Revolution, and Fire
Set in the shattered world of Talamh, Absolum opens in a realm that has lost faith in magic. Centuries after a magical cataclysm ripped reality apart, a tyrant known as Sun King Azra has seized control of what’s left. Through his Crimson Order, he enslaves wizards and enforces a reign of fear.
But resistance burns bright. The high enchantress Uchawi leads a rebellion to take back magic, aided by a band of outcast heroes — warriors, mages, and rogues fighting not just for survival, but for redemption.
You play as one of these four rebels:
- Galandra, a necromantic swordswoman who channels wrath and sorrow into devastating strikes.
- Karl, the last free dwarf, is a brawler armed with an ancestral blunderbuss and a righteous temper.
- Brome, a young prodigy desperate to save his people’s future.
- Cider, an agile fighter fragmented by their own lost identity.
Each has a distinct backstory and fighting style that affects gameplay, dialogue, and progression — adding rare narrative texture to a genre that usually leaves story at the door.
It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s genuine. You can feel the characters’ weariness in every victory. There’s a sense of rebellion and myth woven through the world that makes Absolum more than just “another beat ’em up.”
Where Roguelite Meets Rumble
At its core, Absolum is a roguelite side-scrolling brawler, but that undersells what it accomplishes.
Dotemu and Guard Crush’s pedigree shines through immediately. The combat feels crisp, tactile, and deeply satisfying — every punch lands with purpose. If you played Streets of Rage 4, imagine that level of fluidity mixed with the unpredictability and replayability of Hades.
Combos That Crackle
Each hero has unique combos that blend physical and magical attacks. Galandra’s sweeping blade can transition into dark necromancy; Karl juggles enemies with shotgun bursts and grapples; Brome unleashes controlled chaos with elemental barrages.
The system rewards experimentation — chaining together melee attacks, dodges, and spell counters feels smooth and natural. There’s a rhythm to combat that invites creativity, not just button-mashing.
The Rites System, Absolum’s version of skill upgrades, adds another layer. Every run lets you earn new spells or modify existing ones — infusing attacks with fire, frost, poison, or lightning. Some buffs enhance mobility or defensive counters, while others unleash catastrophic area attacks that can wipe out an entire room.
Roguelite Structure Done Right
Each run through Absolum unfolds differently. Paths branch across Talamh, leading to new zones, mini-bosses, and optional challenges.
You’ll encounter events that test your choices: Do you risk helping a captured mage for potential reward or move on before Azra’s scouts find you? These moments make each playthrough feel personal and alive.
Die, and you start over — but with new knowledge, powers, and upgrades. The roguelite loop doesn’t feel punishing. Instead, it feels earned. Every setback feeds your next run, making mastery satisfying rather than exhausting.
And yes — co-op is back, both local and online, with seamless rollback netcode. Teaming up to unleash synchronized magic combos or revive a fallen ally mid-battle is electric. It’s the kind of couch co-op chaos that the genre was built for.
Where Legends Collide
Each chapter ends with an epic boss fight, and they’re the crown jewels of Absolum.
From hulking knights that shatter the ground with solar hammers to corrupted wizards twisting the battlefield into pure chaos, every encounter feels distinct and cinematic.
Bosses have layered attack patterns that require both patience and reflexes. These aren’t just bullet sponges — they demand adaptation.
The best fights combine mechanical challenge with visual spectacle. One late-game duel takes place atop a floating citadel, with the battlefield literally melting away beneath your feet. It’s breathtaking, both in animation and in how it tests your mastery of combat systems.
If there’s any complaint, it’s that some mid-level minibosses recycle moves too often — but the mainline fights are so strong that it barely matters.
Art & Animation: A Living Fantasy Painting
Absolum is hand-drawn from the ground up, and it shows.
Supamonk’s animation work is fluid, expressive, and bursting with color. Characters feel alive — their movements weighty, their attacks elegant and brutal. The backgrounds are lush tapestries of fantasy — mines illuminated by magma veins, cursed forests that pulse with forbidden magic, and ancient halls echoing with the ghosts of fallen heroes.
It’s like a playable animated movie.
Every particle effect, every weapon swing, and every spell crackles with care and energy. There’s a painterly warmth to it all that makes Absolum stand out in a sea of sterile 3D worlds.
A Symphony of Power
When you see a soundtrack list featuring Gareth Coker (Ori, Halo Infinite), Yuka Kitamura (Dark Souls, Elden Ring), and Mick Gordon (DOOM Eternal) — you expect greatness.
You get transcendence.
From the haunting choral chants of the title screen to the thunderous industrial riffs that fuel boss fights, the music is the soul of Absolum.
Mick Gordon’s signature grit fuses perfectly with Coker’s ethereal melodies, creating a sonic palette that swings from divine to demonic in seconds. The music doesn’t just support the game — it drives it.
Every time the tempo spikes as you enter a new encounter, it’s impossible not to feel your pulse rise in sync.
Replayability and Progression
A full run through Absolum takes about 8–10 hours, depending on your skill and luck.
While some critics might call that short, the game’s roguelite progression ensures replay value well beyond a single clear. You can experiment with different heroes, magic builds, and routes — unlocking lore entries and visual upgrades along the way.
There’s even a meta-progression layer that ties into the rebellion’s expansion across Talamh. As you liberate territories, the map visually changes, and new opportunities emerge.
Still, the game’s grind curve could use minor tuning — late upgrades feel pricey and some Rites need rebalancing. But for an indie action title, it’s impressively polished.
Performance and Polish
We tested Absolum on PC and Nintendo Switch 2, and both versions ran smoothly at 60fps.
Combat responsiveness is razor-sharp, and co-op connectivity was stable. The only noticeable hiccup came from some occasional hitbox quirks during group fights, but these were rare and minor.
No major bugs, crashes, or progression blockers — a refreshing rarity these days.
The Return of the King(s) of Combat
Absolum is more than just a great beat ’em up — it’s a statement.
Dotemu and Guard Crush have once again proved that the genre can evolve without losing its soul. With breathtaking art, addictive combat, a world steeped in myth, and a soundtrack that demands headphones, Absolum stands tall among 2025’s best indie releases.
It’s part Hades, part Golden Axe, part Streets of Rage 4 — and entirely its own beast. Whether you’re playing solo or tag-teaming with a friend, this is a rebellion worth joining.
A Masterclass in Magic and Mayhem
Pros:
- Exhilarating, fluid combat
- Gorgeous hand-drawn art and animation
- Outstanding soundtrack
- Strong character variety and co-op design
- Roguelite structure adds depth and replayability
Cons:
- A bit short for hardcore roguelite fans
- Some mid-game repetition
- Minor balancing quirks in upgrades
Absolum: Absolum doesn’t just revive the side-scrolling beat ’em up — it elevates it. This is a game forged with fire, magic, and heart — a modern classic in the making. – CtrlQueen