Absolum Review

I’ve always loved beat ’em up games. The endless gameplay loop, the violence, and the often OTT storyline appealed to my younger and more impressionable mind. As the years have passed, I still have a soft spot for the genre, but my tastes have matured. Therefore, when Absolum hit the market, I was intrigued. It is a hybrid of the rogue-like and beat ’em up genres. Furthermore, it has high octane action, magic, a brilliant story, and several characters to master.

Dotemu has developed this wonderful side-scrolling affair. It is a single-player or local and online cooperative game. I spent my time alone, but this would be impressive when tackled with friends. Each of the heroes complements the other, and the array of skills and abilities on offer would make you a destructive force. Alongside this, there are player assist options if you want to make things easier for less able gamers. I tested this out, and the sliding scale system makes you almost god-like. Therefore, if you have children who struggle, they can join in without feeling like a hindrance.

Absolum tells a wicked tale.

All-powerful gods, an order to control the people, and a rebellious force that wishes to give magic to the masses are the ideal ingredients for a captivating tale. Absolum tells its plot through each character you meet. The drip-fed story is wonderful to witness, and every death and new encounter opens up a new pathway. The result is a game that punishes you while keeping you coming back for more.

The almost repetitive gameplay loop should have been off-putting, but it wasn’t. Death offers new opportunities to learn, and every encounter with a boss lets you memorise their attacking patterns. Consequently, although failure was frustrating, there was a glimmer of light and baby steps towards your end goal.

Brilliant mechanics.

Absolum focuses on magic, all-out combat, and some tight defence mechanics. This combination works exceptionally well, and the combat and core gameplay are a joy to experience. If you focus on fighting, you will fail. However, if you master the parry and dodge mechanics, you’ll withstand the heavy blows from the latter enemies. Additionally, as you progress, you invest in permanent buffs to help you progress further.

These permanent improvements are complemented by temporary improvements and an array of abilities that give you impressive powers. Lightning, fire, time-bending, and much more await each of the 4 heroes at your disposal. Moreover, there are goons to hire, gold to steal, and plenty of shops to spend your illegal cash.

This hearty combination of elements makes this a great game. Furthermore, you never quite know what a playthrough will be like. Will you be lucky and get your favourite ability, or will you have to test the water and try something new? Either way, a little bit of experimentation and determination goes a long way.

Absolum looks amazing.

Unlike older beat ’em up games, Absolum looks fantastic! The influences of Streets of Rage 4 are keenly felt as the clean lines, impressive character models, and varied backdrop give this a modern edge. Additionally, the hectic action runs smoothly without frame rate problems or glitches. The audio offers a deep fantasy edge with full voice acting. This delivers every element of the story while helping to build relationships with each of the protagonists. Moreover, the combat elements have a booming layer that brings every fight to life.

The control system is phenomenal. Although you have to be accurate and timely, it is forgiving if you are a little slow or if you are struggling. With a clean UI and an excellent tutorial, you’ll pick up and master every key element in no time. If you love both genres, you will adore everything on offer. With plenty of routes to take, loads of abilities to test out, and a skill tree to unlock, this offers hours of impressive replay value.

Absolum is a great 2026 indie title.

2026 is proving to be a good year for gaming, and Absolum is up there with the best releases so far. Its incredible story, wonderful aesthetics, and addictive gameplay make this a must-play indie title. It looks amazing, and I loved every second. Therefore, you must grab a copy from the Xbox store!