Seriously, roguelike games are *everywhere* now. I swear, I’m starting to get shocked when a new indie game *doesn’t* make you replay levels over and over after you die. It’s like death is just part of how everyone designs games these days!
The roguelike genre is very crowded, but Absolum is definitely one worth checking out this year.
Absolum expertly blends the fast-paced action of classic beat-’em-ups with the replayable structure of roguelikes, and we’ve been hooked ever since. Each playthrough lasts around 30 minutes, which feels just right, and there’s always something new to discover that keeps you coming back for more.
The game takes place in the fantasy world of Talamh, but we haven’t been particularly impressed with the story or the extensive backstory. Essentially, a powerful evil empire needs to be overthrown, and you play as a group of unlikely heroes who are ready to do just that.
You’ll journey through diverse and changing environments, fighting enemies along the way. If you fall in battle, an immortal god will revive you, letting you continue your adventure. Each time you play, the locations will be a little different, offering a fresh experience.
The game offers multiple ways to progress and hidden paths to discover, giving players meaningful choices. Like the beautiful game Dragon’s Crown, you can decide which bosses to fight or what rewards to pursue based on how your playthrough is going.
These rewards are what keep you going. When you clear an area, you’ll typically earn a new ability or currency to buy accessories that give you helpful bonuses.
These abilities, called ‘Rituals,’ are based on the classic elements: fire, water, wind, and earth. They can improve your character’s attacks and skills in many different ways, and the goal is to combine as many helpful Rituals as possible to become more powerful.
You can create powerful combinations with a little practice, and there are tons of different ways to do it. It might take a while to figure out which skills work best for you, but once you understand the system, it’s incredibly engaging.
As expected in a roguelike game, you’ll lose any powers you’ve gathered when you’re defeated. However, you can earn crystals – a currency that carries over between attempts – to unlock permanent upgrades. You can also improve the effects of Rituals, making them stronger with each new run.
These improvements might not seem impressive at first, particularly if you’re used to more powerful abilities. But after playing for a few hours, you’ll really start to appreciate them.
Absolum offers more than just typical roguelike features. At its core, it’s a really well-made beat-’em-up, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable.
Battles are smooth, satisfying, and fast-paced, blending quick combos with powerful special moves. The fighting system is similar to traditional fighting games – well-timed blocks create openings to counterattack, letting you break through your opponent’s defenses.
Absolum’s defense can feel a little unusual at first. Instead of blocking, you deflect attacks by dodging *into* them. While the timing isn’t strict, it takes practice to get used to moving towards attacks instead of away from them – it requires some patience!
Just like the game’s challenging, roguelike style, it’s incredibly rewarding once you get the hang of it. Plus, having four different characters to choose from adds a lot of variety and replayability.
These heroes aren’t exactly polished fighting game pros, but they each have unique combos and special moves that make them fun and different to play.
One of the biggest challenges in Absolum is simply seeing what’s happening. Like many classic beat-’em-up games, the screen can get incredibly chaotic with so much action, making it hard to distinguish your character from enemies and special effects.
The game generally looks good, and moments of visual confusion are uncommon. Most fights and enemies are well-designed and feel fair, though a handful can be surprisingly challenging – which is expected given the game’s difficulty.
This game isn’t overly difficult, but like all roguelikes, sometimes you’ll have runs that just don’t go well. It can be frustrating to spend a long time carefully playing and improving your skills, only to be stopped by random events you can’t influence.
The exciting boss battles in Absolum will definitely give you a reason to play more. These fights are a highlight of the game, building on its best features and creating challenging, memorable experiences that test your skills and reflexes.
Most players can expect to finish the main story in 8 to 12 hours, and there’s still plenty to do afterward if you’re looking for more challenges.
Sadly, the game’s ending isn’t as strong as the rest of the experience, which is generally very high quality. While there are still things to find and unlock on repeat playthroughs – including some of the wildest challenges the game has to offer – it feels like there isn’t much sense of getting more powerful or achieving significant new goals.
It’s a little disappointing because there’s nothing new to unlock or change up your gameplay – it feels like something is missing.
You can also increase the difficulty to challenge yourself and see how well you do. Absolum includes ‘Assist’ settings that let you adjust damage to make the game easier or harder. In fact, you can simplify the game significantly, which is helpful if you’re playing with someone who is new to the game.
You can also experience the game with a friend, either in person or online. Just be aware that the help features aren’t available when playing online.
Playing with a friend makes enemies tougher, which makes longer, coordinated attacks more rewarding. This co-op mode adds a fun team element to the game, and it’s possible that it’s the most enjoyable way to experience Absolum.
The game’s strongest feature is its striking art style. While it won’t appeal to all players, it looks fantastic in action. The smooth animations make every movement feel impactful, the environments are beautifully detailed, and the characters are incredibly well-designed.
The game’s music is also fantastic. We got a hint of what was to come when the first major boss fight featured a really intense metal song—and it was actually created by Mick Gordon, who did the music for DOOM!
The game also features incredible talent, including FromSoftware veteran Yuka Kitamura and the renowned composer Motoi Sakuraba. It’s a truly impressive team working on the project.
Beyond the music created by guest artists, Absolum’s soundtrack is captivating and imaginative. The game is a delight for both your ears and your eyes.
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2025-10-09 16:08