Preview : Absolum

Rogue-lites are all the rage right now. You know what else is a hot tamale? Pretty much everything Dotemu is involved in fits that bill. The publishers behind molten hot classics like Streets of Rage 4 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge gave free reign to Guard Crush Games (developers of the aforementioned Streets of Rage 4) to create an original property, and what was the result? After blending their side-scrolling beat ’em up pedigree with an addicting rogue-lite formula, Absolum, the “rogue ’em up,” was crafted.

Set to release later this year, Absolum has done nothing but impress me. While I expected a healthy amount of Rotwood-meets-Hades from the game play, it shocked me that we are actually getting Dotemu meets Guard Crush Games in the best way. From the flow of the action to the music and art, Absolum is clearly a work of passion. The character sprites are crisp and pop off the screen, the controls are responsive, and the battle system includes signature Dotemu and Guard Crush Games traits, such as skill-based combos with dodges and parries that provide near fighting game finesse.

At the start, I was sad to see that the frog character was not available in this preview build, so I had to choose between Karl the dwarf and Galandra, who is basically Drizzt Do’Urden except she’s a woman and wields a broadsword (rather quickly and poetically, I might add). Given my love for Drizzt, starting with the dark elf was an easy choice (though Brome, the frog-like wizard character, will be mine in the full version!). Eventually, a third character is found and made available (Cider, a very fast, thief-type character), and I put them all through their paces.

The differences in play style between all three was a delight, and, much like Dotemu’s previous beat ’em ups, I felt in control of my tactics with them, dodging and countering as different enemy types required different strategies on the fly. There is a lot of depth to be found in the combat, and you’ll keep on your toes looking for cues from the myriad enemies filling the screen to do you in.

Absolum throws you straight into the fray from the start, providing a few tutorial hints across the first few screens. After that, you’ll see the rogue-like roots showing as you encounter crystals that present a choice between different skills for your build. And, of course, you will soon realize that death is only the beginning as you are slaughtered and rebirthed from Uchawi the Mother to begin anew with more depth sprouting throughout the home sanctuary before you embark on your next run.

Given that this is a preview build, there was only a sample portion of the game that was accessible, but it certainly left me excited for what’s to come. A few minor performance hiccups here and there, such as quick performance stutters, served as reminders that a bit more polish is still being added, but I am genuinely impressed by how solid the performance already is. Another thing that is already spot-on is the soundtrack, which adds to the dream team lineup with incredibly moving tracks by Gareth Coker (of Ori fame), along with collaborative selections from Mick Gordon (DOOM Eternal) and Yuka Kitamura (Elden Ring).

Reflecting on my time so far, I wanted to quickly state what Absolum is and isn’t, as I’ve seen a lot of people posting their expectations. Absolum is not a loot-based game, and it’s not Dragon’s Crown at all apart from being a beat ’em up in a fantasy setting. You don’t level up with experience points, instead being granted temporary boons very much akin to popular rogue-lites, such as Hades. However, the level design is hand crafted like a typical brawler, so the stage layouts remain the same each time with some areas being locked or blocked off until you progress. But the stages have several paths to choose throughout each, very akin to Guardian Heroes or Capcom’s D&D beat ’em ups, and there is an attractive world map that may be accessed at any time, so you can see where you are. It will be very possible to play Absolum like a straight-forward arcade beat ’em up once everything is unlocked, and I’d love to see some sort of “Arcade Mode” option when the game comes out.

Also, you will find weapons that you can throw, and there are creatures that you can ride and use to attack, a la Golden Axe. You may also hire NPCs to fight with you if you have the gold for it, and they will remain with you until they perish (talk about buying loyalty!). Other things of note include an enemy roster and stage backgrounds that are surprisingly varied, even with the limited area available in the build. There are secret areas to find throughout the stages, and there are special moves to unlock that serve to alter your combos and play style. All three characters in the build could sprint (to the delight, I’m sure, of those who found SoR4 too slow), complete with sprint-specific moves. Bosses are also sprinkled throughout and are fun to fight, with enemies, overall, being charming and full of personality.

Absolum has the potential to be my favorite game of the year, which is really saying something given the already great games in 2025 so far; the preview is that good. Sure, Dotemu has been providing these experiences with their other titles during the past few years, and I love them all; I’m such a Dotemu fanboy, which is something they’ve earned through the passion of their previous releases. But Absolum provides an incredible amount of depth to boot, and the fact that this is a Dotemu/Guard Crush Games original creation that is still causing me to yearn for the full release without the draw of any licensed properties is quite a testament to what’s in store. Coupled with the fact that NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound and Marvel Cosmic Invasion are also set to release in 2025, Dotemu may just be the team to beat in a gaming year already filled with excellence. Now, it’s time to somehow find the patience to reach Absolum‘s release date later this year.