I found myself instantly captivated when Dotemu unveiled Absolum, their new joint venture with Guard Crush Games. Much like their previous endeavor, Streets of Rage 4, Absolum is a side-scrolling brawler, but it introduces roguelike elements that completely flip the script. Following my brief encounter at Summer Game Fest Play Days, I can foresee that Absolum is a game I’ll likely invest far too much time into.
In the fictional realm of Talamh, magic was once revered but has since been shunned due to a catastrophic event it caused. Now, an uprising of rebels confronts a ruling power intent on suppressing and exploiting those who can harness magic. The narrative promises an exhilarating journey featuring characters who masterfully blend forbidden magical abilities with conventional weapons, making for an intriguing game premise.
For my initial playthrough, I assumed the role of Galandra, a skilled swordsman. Navigating sideways, I traversed through levels, gathering rewards that boosted my current skills and introduced new ones. In true beat ’em up style, I linked attacks together to deliver powerful blows to enemies before they could react. Galandra’s sword is swift and potent, capable of inflicting heavy damage; it also possesses an overhead strike that sends clusters of adversaries flying, leaving them open for subsequent combos.
In the first try, I faced a boss I wasn’t ready for, and it swiftly defeated me. For my next attempt, I chose Cider, a nimble ninja equipped with a wrist-blade. Cider’s speed is almost unmatched, easily handling multiple opponents while leaping across stages without ever touching the ground in certain instances.
During the Summer Game Fest 2025, I got a chance to try out Absolum, and let me tell you, its cooperative gameplay was something special, though I opted to play it solo for the demo. The combat and progression systems were incredibly immersive, making it hard to tear myself away. Even as my time with the game came to an end, a whisper in the back of my mind persisted, urging me, “just one more run…
The sneak peek you’re seeing is from an initial demonstration that took place during Summer Game Fest: Play Days. Please note that the final version may still undergo changes.
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2025-06-12 19:27