Absolum v02r34294

Absolum is a stylish, fast-paced roguelite beat ’em up that brings classic arcade brawling into a modern, strategic package. Set in the shattered fantasy world of Talamh, the game layers tight combo-driven combat with spellcasting, counters and roguelite unpredictability to create runs that feel both visceral and tactical. It’s crafted by a team experienced in top-tier side-scrolling action and backed by standout art and animation from Supamonks.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Story and characters
The world of Talamh has been broken by a magical cataclysm and subjugated by Sun King Azra. A small rebel faction led by the high enchantress Uchawi rises to challenge his Crimson Order. Playable heroes include Galandra (a heavy-hitting swordfighter with necromantic powers), Karl (a tough, close-range dwarf with a blunderbuss), and later-joining Brome (wizard prodigy) and Cider (a nimble skirmisher). Each character offers a distinct playstyle that changes how you approach fights and runs.

Gameplay
Combat is the star: fast combo chains, elemental spells, magical counters and rare items let you turn fights in creative ways. The system rewards timing and skill-matches can feel raw and explosive, while also requiring strategic adaptation as you unlock or find new abilities. Roguelite elements (branching paths, unpredictable encounters, and replay-driven progression) keep every run fresh and encourage experimentation.

Multiplayer and replayability
Absolum supports solo runs and co-op play-local couch co-op and online multiplayer let you combine elemental powers and sync attacks into powerful chained combos. Note: controllers are required for local multiplayer. The combination of multiple paths, character variety and procedural encounters gives the game strong replay value.

Presentation
Visually, Absolum leans on high-quality hand-crafted art and fluid animation. The soundtrack is a major highlight, featuring compositions by Gareth Coker with contributions from Yuka Kitamura, Mick Gordon and others, creating an epic audio backdrop for the revolt across diverse regions like mines and forests.

Verdict
If you enjoy action-oriented beat ’em ups with depth, a beautiful aesthetic and roguelite replayability, Absolum delivers a compelling blend of skill-based combat and emergent run-to-run variety. It demands practice and timing, but rewards creativity and mastery. Absolum can be downloaded for play, and is especially satisfying with a friend in co-op.

Key features
- Modern roguelite meet classic beat ’em up: fast combos + procedural replayability
- Four distinct heroes (Galandra, Karl, Brome, Cider) with unique fighting styles
- Deep combat systems: spells, magical counters, timing-based mechanics and rare items
- Multiple paths and unpredictable encounters for high replay value
- Local couch co-op and online multiplayer (controllers are required for local multiplayer)
- High-quality art and animation by Supamonks
- Epic soundtrack by Gareth Coker with collaborations from Yuka Kitamura, Mick Gordon, and more
- Strategic, skill-focused gameplay that rewards experimentation and timing