DaRmaZat In Absolum, the brand-new roguelite side-scrolling brawler from Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, and Supamonks, you step into the shoes of four outcast heroes fighting to survive and reclaim their world. Combining fast-paced combat with modern roguelite mechanics and richly hand-drawn visuals, the game offers multiple paths, unpredictable encounters, and deep replayability, all set within a vibrant, comic-book-inspired landscape.
Rising as an Outcast
In the shattered realm of Talamh, where magic is feared and power is absolute, a small band of outcasts rises to challenge the tyrannical Sun King Azra. At the forefront are Galandra—a fierce warrior wielding a colossal sword and devastating necromantic powers—and Karl, the last free dwarf of Talamh, whose brute strength and explosive tactics make him a force to be reckoned with. Joined by the enigmatic Cider and the young prodigy wizard Brome, they fight to reclaim freedom and restore balance.
For the four heroes, their mission is as much about survival as it is about defiance: rescuing the high enchantress Uchawi, who guides them with her mystical insight between brutal encounters.
While Absolum‘s story often serves as a backdrop to fast-paced combat, its mythic overtones and richly hand-drawn world immediately drew me in.
Lightweight Yet Flashy Combat
Quick strikes, powerful skills on cooldown, a devastating counter known as Arcana, and the option to deflect incoming blows—or to sprint when out of combat: from the very first skirmish, Absolum establishes its rhythm. Every successful hit recharges mana, which can also be replenished through potions or rest points at scattered camps. Recruitable mercenaries, found in taverns across the regions, can also accompany you in battle—each with distinct weapons and banter. They don’t drastically change combat, but they make the world feel more alive.
As a side-scrolling brawler, Absolum often feels empowering. Chaining aerial hits while enemies bounce off screen edges gives a great sense of momentum. However, the thrill doesn’t always last. On normal difficulty, I could often clear encounters just by mashing attack and slipping in the occasional dodge or skill. The AI tends to telegraph its moves clearly, and while that ensures readability, it rarely challenges you to improvise. Truth be told, the combat looks spectacular, but can grow repetitive—especially during longer runs. Even the mounts, which initially add flair, retreat automatically after taking a few hits, cutting short their usefulness.
Still, I found satisfaction in mastering the rhythm, especially when landing a perfectly timed Clash parry or throwing an enemy into the abyss. Throwing knives and stones added a fun layer of variety, though I occasionally found environmental hazards confusing—jumping into a pit could either help me progress or kill me instantly, depending on the level design.
Roguelite Pur-Sang
Absolum‘s roguelite layer unfolds as you smash relics and altars, triggering choices between new Inspirations—active skills like Blazing Dash or Burning Nova. These add a welcome sense of strategy to your build. Later, Rituals such as Five Winds join the mix, while Trinkets and gear upgrades expand your passive perks. Most of these items come from merchants in dim-lit taverns, purchased with your hard-earned gold.
Each system ties neatly into the loop of combat and rebirth. When you fall, the Tree of Grandery consumes your crystals, offering rebirth and progression. Every death returns you stronger—unlocking permanent stat boosts, new defensive or offensive techniques, and occasionally a new companion. To boost replayability, Absolum also features an online co-op mode called Worlds Collide, where progression always syncs with the player furthest behind—ensuring fairness without spoiling the story.
A Realm of Beauty… and Repetition
Artistically, Absolum really shines, with a hand-drawn visual style that resembles a living comic book, rich in contrast and motion. The environments—lush plains, cracked fortresses, and molten caverns—are stunning, even though reused character models appear consistently among goblins and militia soldiers.
The soundtrack, featuring big names like Mick Gordon (DOOM Eternal), Gareth Coker (Ori, Halo Infinite), and Yuka Kitamura (Dark Souls, Elden Ring), also deserves praise: sweeping orchestral tracks and delicate ambient pieces elevate key moments—when they actually play. Because strangely, large sections are left eerily silent, relying only on voices and sound effects, but fortunately, the voice acting is consistently strong.
Admittedly, Absolum‘s level sections are relatively short, and its frequent loading screens occasionally disrupt the flow. I also found the boss fights, though visually striking, a little awkward at times—often with my character not even in view during dialogue, showing that not all camera angles are perfectly handled. Performance, however, was rock solid, which makes it a great game to play on a handheld, especially given its easy-to-execute controls.
Final Thoughts
Absolum is a fascinating mix of roguelite, brawler, and myth. Its layered upgrade systems, hand-painted visuals, and spiritual undertones give it a strong identity, even if the combat sometimes plays it a bit safe. The phenomenal music and world-building create a rich, immersive atmosphere, though the repetitive enemy design and relatively mild difficulty are minor drawbacks. Still, when all its elements click, Absolum becomes something quite enjoyable. Not perfect, but passionate, and definitely worth returning to for one more run, especially in short, pick-up-and-play sessions.
Additional Information
Release Date: Oct 9, 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, Supamonks
Publisher: Dotemu, Gamirror Games
Website: Absolum
Relevant links: Absolum on Steam
