Absolum

You might have caught MP1st’s preview of Absolum about a month ago, and since then we’ve had the chance to go hands-on with the full version of the game. What started as an intriguing roguelite from Guard Crush, Supamonks, and Dotemu has shaped into something much more refined, polished, and punishing in the best possible way.

An absolute treat that kept me coming back for more. Absolum does a lot right, and it's all due to the hard work of DotEmu and Guard Crush's previous efforts. With incredible combat, stunning visuals, and a soundtrack that packs so much variety, it's hard to imagine how DotEmu can top themselves after Absolum.

Absolum combines two iconic genres to create the first rogue 'em up, which ends up being one of the most addictive and unique gaming experiences of the year.

Showcasing the expertise of developer Guard Crush Games and publisher Dotemu in the beat-’em-up genre, Absolum is an impressive fantasy side-scrolling brawler with a roguelike twist. Both companies were a part of the team behind Streets of Rage 4, and Dotemu has been responsible for publishing other successful revivals like TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. But this time around, instead of creating a game for an existing license or franchise, they have decided to push the envelope by pursuing an original game. And on that front, Absolum is a creative and technical powerhous...

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the team of veteran beat ‘em up developers made another great beat ‘em up game. Absolum evolves the best parts of classic beat ‘em up action and weaves it with an original story, a compelling world, and roguelike elements. This doesn’t seem like a game that should work as well as it does, but it’s some of the most fun I’ve had with a co-op game this year.

With its stunning visuals, beautiful soundtrack and gratifying gameplay, Absolum will draw you in from the outset. And thanks to its roguelike elements it has plenty of longevity and depth. One of the best games of 2025, this is a must-play whether you're a fan of beat 'em ups or roguelikes.

Absolum is an on-par experience to Dragon’s Crown, but a superior game in terms of its key metrics. Its combat, collectible augmentations, and planning are exceptionally well-formulated, ensuring no run is ever quite the same and its strategic options and play-styles are ever-deepening. It’s incredibly impressive in its reconstitution of arcade, role-playing, and roguelike formats, evolving them into something fresh and exciting. To that end, it’s one of the best of its kind, whatever that kind may be. If you don’t enjoy the idea of repetition and grind, you may not fall in love with its initi...

A fantastic roguelite beat 'em up in a gorgeous fantasy setting.

Absolum enters the crowded roguelike space with a refreshing and appealing art style and classic-feeling beat-em-up mechanics. Playable solo or in 2-person co-op, each of Absolum’s characters caters to a very specific playstyle, and it’s fun to switch between them. Although character progression is a little slow, and the movement mechanics occasionally frustrate, Absolum should appeal to fans of engaging action adventures, roguelikes, and brawlers. Absolum has something for almost everyone.

Part roguelike and all beat 'em up, Absolum is confident in its skin, and it shows. The world of Talamh was created with thoughtfulness and feels like a character of its own volition. You've got an interesting premise that lets you explore a pretty incredible place, and it's filled with dangers, treasures, and a whole lot of enemies to defeat. Without a doubt, if there's one beat 'em up this year that's got the rizz, it's Absolum.

Absolum may have its issues, but combat is definitely not one of them. This Rogue ‘em up by Dotemu, Guard Crush Games and Supamonks offers the best 2D side-scrolling fisticuffs I’ve ever experienced. Slick, responsive, kinetic, and satisfying, the combat in Absolum is utterly beguiling. If I could just have the walking and punching, and not all the roguelite stuff wrapped around it, then Absolum would be my perfect game. As it is, there is a whole lot of roguelite shenanigans, and they’re not always that successful.

An explosive tutorial introduces you to dark elf Galandra and her companion Karl, a stout warrior with a blunderbuss. Hounded by attackers, they arrive at Uchawi’s Hearth, a sanctuary in the land of Talamh home to the Root Sisters, a kind of protectorate witch coven hunted by the Sun King Azra. Fight through the early areas and you’ll soon conscript a frogperson mage named Brome and Cider, an amnesiac clockwork rogue. While their presentation implies some formal RPG class affiliation, all four are capable brawlers with different moves and unique Arcana abilities.