Absolum (video game)

Absolum is an upcoming beat'em up video game with roguelike elements. Developed by Guard Crush Games and Supamonks and published by Dotemu, the game is set to be released in October 2025 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Absolum
Developer(s)	Guard Crush Games Supamonks
Publisher(s)	Dotemu
Director(s)	Gauthier Brunet
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows Nintendo Switch PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5
Release	October 9, 2025
Genre(s)	Beat'em up, roguelike
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

Absolum is a side-scrolling beat'em up video game. It features multiple character classes, with each having its own unique combat style and abilities. Karl is a dwarf who fights enemies with his guns and bare fists; Galandra the elf is equipped with a huge sword; Cidar is an agile character who wields two daggers which allow her to attack quickly; Brome is a humanoid frog and a wizard who can surf in the air using his septor.^[1][2] Each character has a basic light and heavy attack.^[3] Consecutive attacks against an enemy will build up combos and mana for the player character, which can be used to unleash "Arcana", a special attack that can deal significant damage to their opponents. Players can also dodge or sidestep to avoid incoming attacks. Dodging or attacking an opponent just before their hit lands on the player character will deflect it, leaving them in a stunned state.^[4]

The game also features elements commonly found in roguelike games. At the beginning of each run, the player character can equip themselves with "Rituals", which are passive abilities and bonuses that alter their attacks. As players clear combat encounters, they will unlock more Rituals for use in combat, though all Rituals equipped will be lost if the player character is killed in combat.^[5][6] Level layout and the Rituals players found in a level is randomized. Defeated players will return to a realm where they can recover their health and shop for new upgrades or permanent unlocks before they go for their next run. Defeating a boss may unlock "Inspirations", which are active combat skills.^[1] The game also features elements found in role-playing video games, such as side quests and diverging paths.^[7] The game also supports two-player cooperative multiplayer.^[8]

Premise

Set in the world of Talamh, the game follows four rebels who must fight against the tyrannical Sun King Azra, who set out to conquer every magical land and rid the world of magic.^[9]

Development

The game is currently being developed by Guard Crush Games, one of the co-developers of Streets of Rage 4. It was also the first original intellectual property by Dotemu, which had previously published several beat'em up games under the license of other publishers.^[10] Both studios were interested in creating a new video game instead of reviving another dormant franchises, and seek to introduce the beat'em up genre to a new audience. As a result, Guard Crush Games added roguelike elements into the game, after briefly experimenting with it in Mr. X Nightmare, a downloadable content pack fo Streets of Rage 4. The team cited Golden Axe, Dead Cells and Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara as their sources of inspiration.^[11] Absolum is also the first video game project for Supamonks, the French studio which crafted the game's art and animation.^[4]

Dotemu officially revealed in the game in March 2025.^[12] It is set to be released on October 9, 2025 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.^[13] Silver Lining Interactive will distribute a physical edition for the game for the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch versions.^[14]