Absolum: A Retro Beat-'Em-Up Blending Roguelike Elements

Absolum, a fresh 2D action title from the collaborative efforts of Dotemu, Guard Crush, and Supamonks, embarks on an ambitious journey to fuse the nostalgic charm of retro beat-'em-ups with the evolving elements of modern roguelikes. The game invites players into a vibrant fantasy realm where experimentation is key to overcoming challenges posed by the tyrannical Sun King. While the core combat mechanics and visual artistry are commendable, reflecting the developers' expertise in the genre, the integration of roguelike progression presents a mixed experience. Players are encouraged to adapt tactics and explore diverse paths, yet the slow pace of unlocking meaningful upgrades often dilutes the immediate gratification typically found in arcade-style brawlers, demanding considerable dedication before the game's full depth is revealed.

Inspired by iconic titles like Capcom's Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara, Absolum delivers a high-fantasy beat-'em-up experience playable either solo or with a co-op partner. The game is set in Talamh, an original world governed by the malevolent Sun King, Azra. Initially, it mirrors a conventional arcade game, where players, such as the sword-wielding elf Galandra, navigate through monster-filled screens towards formidable bosses. The combat system is surprisingly intricate, incorporating punish attacks and aerial maneuvers that elevate it beyond simple button-mashing, feeling akin to a fighting game when mastered. This is all set against a backdrop of beautifully illustrated biomes, reminiscent of a fantasy comic book.

The creators, renowned for their work on titles like Streets of Rage 4, demonstrate a strong grasp of brawling fundamentals. Absolum is not just another revival of a classic series; it's an original creation within that lineage, brimming with creative energy. The level design effectively uses 2D spaces to craft a sprawling and diverse world of continents and islands. A rich internal logic governs magic, giving players a sense of tapping into a profound spiritual current with each new power unlocked. The diverse cast of heroes, including the unique frog wizard Brome, adds further charm, playing with fantasy archetypes in fresh ways.

However, the blend of genres leads to some inconsistencies. The game's 2D levels, while visually appealing, lack the procedural generation often seen in roguelikes. To compensate, each biome features branching paths, some subtly hidden, which offer varied scenery for each playthrough. This encourages exploration and the discovery of secrets, though repeated encounters with the same initial screens can occasionally feel repetitive. The game rewards bold choices, pushing players to venture off the beaten path to uncover new quests and areas, ensuring that the world of Talamh feels expansive and full of possibilities.

Despite its engaging combat and creative world, Absolum's core progression system, a common element in its genre, leaves something to be desired. Runs involve collecting spells and augments that gradually alter a character's playstyle. Early on, elemental magic sets, unlocked at specific points, feel somewhat one-dimensional, primarily augmenting existing moves rather than fundamentally transforming combat. The limited build potential in the initial stages means players frequently pick up generic buffs to attack, defense, and health, which don't significantly impact gameplay. While character switching and special abilities offer some variety, battles can often feel static for prolonged periods.

True synergies and engaging buildcrafting emerge only after a significant time investment due to Absolum's reliance on piecemeal progression. Players accumulate various currencies across multiple runs, gradually expanding their capabilities. This includes not just boosting max health or gaining revives, but also unlocking new magical twists and increasing the chances of finding rare trinkets. While this constant trickle of progression motivates continued play, it can feel as though the game's optimal experience is gated behind hours of grinding. The most satisfying moments, such as crafting a powerful build that allowed for effortlessly juggling the final boss, often come only after extensive playtime, highlighting a potentially tedious journey to reach the game's peak.

Roguelites are notoriously difficult to perfect, requiring a delicate balance between providing new rewards and avoiding the perception of arbitrarily extended gameplay. Absolum, much like other contemporary titles, occasionally falls into the trap of making victory seem contingent on a certain number of failures. The initial runs offer little hope of an early win, as rare and impactful trinkets that enable true build customization only appear much later. This contrasts with the simple joy of older beat-'em-ups, where mastery of skills and enemy patterns was the primary reward, and perfection was achieved through repeated attempts. Modern developers, even those who cherish retro gaming, sometimes seem less confident that today's players will embrace that pure challenge, often integrating elements like Metroidvania-style collectibles to artificially extend playtime rather than relying on the intrinsic satisfaction of skill progression and high scores. However, the fundamental thrill of Absolum, particularly in mastering character combos and executing flawless attacks, remains a compelling draw, providing pleasure in the sparring sessions regardless of the overarching progression system.