Absolum: Dotemu's Punch-Out Paradise – Can This Brawler Cast a Spell Over a Crowded Month?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Absolum, the new brawler from Streets of Rage 4 publisher Dotemu, is a charming, combo-centric delight that blends classic beat 'em up nostalgia with fresh roguelite mechanics and an electrifying "cash-out" system, though it faces the challenge of standing out in a crowded release month.
Right, mateys, gather 'round. I've been tinkering with some intel that’s got me properly buzzing, and it's not another metaverse land sale, thankfully. We're talking about a proper, honest-to-goodness brawler called *Absolum*, fresh out of the digital forge of Dotemu – yeah, the same wizards who gave us that magnificent *Streets of Rage 4* resurrection. Now, I've spent a few too many nights recently diving headfirst into this one, and bloody hell, it’s charmed the digital socks right off me.
Our pal Connor Makar, over at Eurogamer, seems to be on the same wavelength, calling it "brilliant" and "hopelessly charming" – and fair dinkum, he’s not wrong. *Absolum* isn’t just your bog-standard "punch, kick, repeat" affair. Dotemu, bless their cotton socks, has taken the same alchemical heat they used for *Streets of Rage 4* and poured it into an open sandbox combat system here. Think of it less as a rigid spellbook and more like a fluid incantation where your basic moves are just the foundation. From there, you sprinkle on new abilities, mix 'em up, and watch the chaos unfold.
You’ve got four distinct character archetypes, each feeling like a different flavour of magical mishap waiting to happen. It truly transforms *Absolum* into a veritable feast for anyone who loves a bit of side-scrolling action. And like any good feast, there's a delicious mix of the classic and the wonderfully new.
Now, here’s where my inner digital wizard really starts to hum. If you’re like me, a seasoned adventurer who remembers the sheer, unadulterated joy of cracking open a barrel in a pixelated street for a surprise chicken – yeah, the one that magically healed all your wounds – then *Absolum* is going to hit you right in the nostalgia receptors. Connor’s article perfectly captures that spirit, talking about how your back pain will vanish when a stray pear or loaf of bread bursts forth from a food stall. And those sneaky gaps in the environment, hiding secret chests and power-ups? Oh, they’re all there, mate. It’s like Hayao Nakayama himself, holding a Sega Megadrive, is giving you a knowing nod as you punt ten goblins down the same hole in the floor and cackle like a madman. That, my friends, is pure, unadulterated gaming bliss.
But *Absolum* isn’t just resting on its retro laurels. Dotemu's brought some clever new twists to the brew, most notably through roguelite progression mechanics. You see, your first jaunt through the world might feel like a straightforward path to the first big bad. You’ll bash some goblins in a forest, or perhaps kick a few crabs along the coast. Standard stuff, right? But as you wander, you’ll spot a destroyed bridge, a locked gate, or some eerie mist seeping from a chasm. And, as Connor observed, it almost *always* means there’s something more there, something you can eventually get past.
This is where *Absolum* truly starts to unfold its magical map. Your travels aren't just about punching baddies; they're about mastering the world itself. You unlock new upgrades, discover shortcuts, and gather resources that you can then exchange for "arcane arts." These aren't just fancy preferences; they’re crucial keys that unlock whole new combo routes. Think of it like learning a new spell that suddenly makes all your previous incantations sing in perfect harmony.
And speaking of singing harmonies, let’s talk about the absolute showstopper: the "cash-out" combo mechanic. This is pure genius, mate. Mashing one button will get you nowhere fast. But by weaving together all your attacks – leaping into the air to juggle a foe, then slamming them down before they fly out of range – you build up this incredible energy. The moment’s right, you hit that special button, and *BAM!* A crackling blow deals a massive blast of damage, capping off your magnificent combo. It’s electric! As Connor points out, it doesn’t just reward you for figuring out what your character can do; it actively *energises* you to experiment, to find fresh, wild ways to beat the living snot out of your enemies. If that’s not the heart and soul of what a modern beat ‘em up should be, then I'm a unicorn wearing a monocle.
Now, here’s the rub, the digital fly in the ointment that's got my wizard hat a bit askew. For all this brilliance, I’m genuinely worried *Absolum* might just vanish into the ether this month. Its release date, Connor highlights, is smack-dab between some seriously colossal launches. We’re talking about the likes of *Hades 2* and *Hollow Knight: Silksong* still gobbling up attention, not to mention whatever other blockbuster spells the big publishers are casting. It's like launching a beautifully crafted indie spell during a dragon attack – impressive, but will anyone truly notice its subtle power amidst the fiery spectacle?
It would utterly depress me if this game, which has the look and feel of an overlooked darling, gets swallowed up in the chaos of a crowded release schedule. It's exactly the kind of innovative, player-focused game that deserves its moment in the digital sun, far from the corporate PR speak and the endless churn of "revolutionary" updates that promise the moon but deliver a pebble.
So, what does this mean for us, the curious gamers? It means we need to be vigilant, mate. We need to look beyond the biggest, brightest lights and seek out the genuinely special experiences. *Absolum* feels like one of those rare finds, a game that doesn't just rehash the past but actively builds on it with clever, engaging mechanics. It's a reminder that true innovation often comes wrapped in a familiar, comforting package, enhanced by a dash of roguelite magic and a whole lot of combo-cashing fun.
This gem of an insight comes courtesy of Connor Makar's excellent piece for Eurogamer, titled 'Absolum, from the publisher of Eurogamer Essential Streets of Rage 4, is a brawler that lets you cash-out a combo - and it's brilliant'. If you fancy a deeper dive, I heartily recommend checking out the full article over at Eurogamer. It’s a brawler that’s more than just a brawler; it’s an invitation to experiment, to revel in glorious combat, and maybe, just maybe, to find your new obsession. Don't let this one slip through the cracks, eh? Go give those goblins a good punching!
Tags: Brawler, Indie Games, Dotemu, Roguelite, Gaming Analysis
Original article: Eurogamer