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Absolum

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Absolum
DevelopersGuard Crush Games
Supamonks
PublisherDotemu
DirectorGauthier Brunet
ComposerGareth Coker
Platforms
ReleaseOctober 9, 2025
GenresBeat'em up, roguelike
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Absolum is a beat'em up video game with roguelike elements. Developed by Guard Crush Games and Supamonks and published by Dotemu, the game released on October 9, 2025, for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Gameplay

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Absolum is a side-scrolling beat'em up video game. It features multiple character classes, with each having its own unique combat style and abilities. Karl is a dwarf who fights enemies with his guns and bare fists; Galandra the elf is equipped with a huge sword; Cider is an agile character who wields two daggers which allow them to attack quickly; Brome is a humanoid frog and a wizard who can surf in the air using his scepter.[1][2] Each character has a basic light and heavy attack.[3] Consecutive attacks against an enemy will build up combos and mana for the player character, which can be used to unleash "Arcana", a special attack that can deal significant damage to their opponents. Players can also dodge or sidestep to avoid incoming attacks. Dodging or attacking an opponent just before their hit lands on the player character will deflect it, leaving them in a stunned state.[4]

The game also features elements commonly found in roguelike games. At the beginning of each run, the player character can equip themselves with "Rituals", which are passive abilities and bonuses that alter their attacks. As players clear combat encounters, they will unlock more Rituals for use in combat, though all Rituals equipped will be lost if the player character is killed in combat.[5][6] Level layout and the Rituals players found in a level is randomized. Defeated players will return to a realm where they can recover their health and shop for new upgrades or permanent unlocks before they go for their next run. Defeating a boss may unlock "Inspirations", which are active combat skills.[1] The game also features elements found in role-playing video games, such as side quests and diverging paths.[7] The game also supports two-player cooperative multiplayer.[8]

Plot

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Absolum is set in the fantasy world of Talamh, which is ruled by the tyrannical Sun King Azra and his army of zealots known as the "Crimson Order". In response, the sorceress Uchawi leads a resistance group composed of four warriors: Galandra, an elven swordswoman; Karl, a dwarven fighter; Cider, a mysterious assassin with mechanical limbs; and Brome, an antropomorphic frog with magic powers. The warriors fight Azra's forces all the way to his stronghold and defeat him. However, it is revealed that Azra's main objective was to contain and control a powerful interdimensional being known as "Absolum" that could destroy the entire Talamh, and that Uchawi was Azra's wife, pregnant with his child. After Uchawi gives birth, the warriors return to Azra's palace and defeat Absolum, who is taken away by three otherworldly creatures.[9]

Development

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The game was developed by Guard Crush Games, one of the co-developers of Streets of Rage 4. It was also the first original intellectual property by Dotemu, which had previously published several beat'em up games under the license of other publishers.[10] Both studios were interested in creating a new video game instead of reviving another dormant franchises, and seek to introduce the beat'em up genre to a new audience. As a result, Guard Crush Games added roguelike elements into the game, after briefly experimenting with it in Mr. X Nightmare, a downloadable content pack fo Streets of Rage 4. The team cited Golden Axe, Dead Cells and Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara as their sources of inspiration.[11] Absolum is also the first video game project for Supamonks, the French studio which crafted the game's art and animation.[4]

Dotemu officially revealed the game in March 2025.[12] It was released on October 9, 2025, for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.[13] Silver Lining Interactive will distribute a physical edition for the game for the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch versions.[14]

Reception

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Absolum received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[15] Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received "mighty" approval, being recommended by 98% of critics.[16] In Japan, four critics from Famitsu gave the game a total score of 36 out of 40, with one critic awarding the game a perfect 10.[17]

Over 200,000 copies of the game had been sold during the game's launch week.[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b Lathi, Evan (June 14, 2025). "Absolum isn't just the best demo on Steam, it's one of my favorite things I've played in 2025". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  2. ^ Ignacchitti, Ivanir (August 21, 2025). "Absolum is a Roguelite Beat'em Up that Promises Fluid Combat, Branching Paths". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  3. ^ Hopley, Alex (June 9, 2025). "Absolum Hands-On Preview: I cast fist!". Gamereactor. Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Caldwell, Brendan (March 4, 2025). "Fantasy beat 'em up Absolum brings a roguelike's rinse and repeat formula to the arcade brawler". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on April 7, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  5. ^ Bonifacic, Igor (August 20, 2025). "Absolum is awesome and I can't wait to play it on October 9". Engadget. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  6. ^ Reynolds, Ollie (March 5, 2025). "Hands On: Absolum - Dead Cells Meets Streets Of Rage 4 In An Effortlessly Stylish 'Rogue 'Em Up". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on March 4, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  7. ^ Maker, Connor (March 4, 2025). "If Absolum, from the devs behind Streets of Rage 4, is a sign of where beat-'em-ups are headed, I'm excited for the future of the genre". VG 247. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  8. ^ Bailey, Dustin (August 20, 2025). "They let me play as a radical frog wizard in a roguelike fusion of Golden Axe and Capcom's classic D&D brawlers, and suddenly its October launch is even more exciting". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  9. ^ Watts, Steve (March 4, 2025). "Absolum Is A Fantasy Roguelike Beat-'Em-Up That Looks Great And Plays Even Better". GameSpot. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  10. ^ Cruz, Christopher (March 4, 2025). "'Streets of Rage 4′ Makers' New Game Is a Divine Fantasy Beat 'Em Up". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 5, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  11. ^ Colantonio, Giovanni (August 19, 2025). "The brains behind Streets of Rage 4 are ready to reinvent a classic genre". Polygon. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  12. ^ Wales, Matt (March 5, 2025). "Streets of Rage 4 team unveils fantasy brawler "rogue 'em up" Absolum". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on April 7, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  13. ^ Watts, Steve (August 19, 2025). "Absolum Looks Great In Release Date Trailer, But More Importantly There's A Frog Wizard". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  14. ^ Romano, Sal (May 29, 2025). "Absolum physical editions announced for PS5, Switch". Gematsu. Archived from the original on July 16, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Absolum". Metacritic. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Absolum". OpenCritic. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  17. ^ a b Romano, Sal (October 29, 2025). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1921". Gematsu. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  18. ^ Ramsey, Robert (October 21, 2025). "The Awesome Absolum Smashes Through 200,000 Sales in Its First Week". Push Square. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
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