Absolum Review

Ever wanted a beat 'em up that actually makes you feel like a wizard smashing through hordes of enemies while also letting you experiment with insane magical combos? Well, stop what you're doing, because Absolum is that game.  

Imagine Streets of Rage 4, also from the devs of this game, Guard Crush, getting a fantasy makeover, sprinkled with roguelike progression. Death isn't punishment here—it's just another excuse to get stronger. If ridiculously fun brawls are your jam, you're about to have the time of your life. 

Absolum is absolute fun. The game leans heavily into the classic play-die-repeat loop roguelikes are famous for, and it works beautifully because the beat-'em-up genre was practically made for repetition. Each death isn't a failure but a chance to explore different strategies, try new abilities, and see more of the beautifully crafted world of Talamh. 

And what a world it is. Absolum takes place in a vividly imagined fantasy setting where magic has been outlawed by the tyrannical Sun King Azra. In a land where wizards are feared and oppressed, you play as one of a small band of wizards determined to overthrow them. 

Guided by the mystical root mother Uchawi, who revives you after every run, death is never the end—just another step toward the Imperial Tower and, ultimately, freedom. The story may not break entirely new ground (it's a classic rebellion against a powerful oppressor), but the devil is in the details.  

You can choose from four different characters. 

Galandra wields a massive sword and has necromancy powers, while Karl, a dwarf, fights with his fists and an old gun called a blunderbuss. Broom is a wizard dedicated to protecting future generations of magic users, and Cider is an agile and mysterious fighter.  

This magical society's world-building and culture are deep and wide, and it approaches magic with a sense of mystery. It is clear from the way characters discuss these strange and incomprehensible forces that they are not entirely aware of what they are up against.  

That highlights the difference between Azra's forces' steel-ribbed techno-magic and your group of freedom fighters, who are inherently so connected to nature that they are practically a part of it. Where Azra wants to cage and control this force, your rebels want to let it run wild and free. 

You get the sense that this is inherently dangerous, which makes your freedom fighters fall into a somewhat morally grey area. The narrative works well for what it is, but when you play a beat 'em up game… well, the game's more about beating up. 

Absolum offers you depth, in contrast to some beat 'em ups that depend on desperate button-mashing.  

You have standard attacks, dodges, and magical abilities, and you'll need to combine these to control crowds and survive tougher foes. Timing is key: parries, counters, and well-timed dodges are rewarded, and your combo meter rewards creativity. The fighting game-level precision makes every encounter feel like it is bang for buck, whether you're fending off a horde of goblins or facing a massive boss that demands all your skills. 

Now, onto how the characters function, and each of them plays differently, giving you reason to experiment. While I thought I'd gravitate toward Broom's glass-cannon style, Cider's speed and playful voice lines quickly made her my favorite. Beyond combat, characters and villagers you meet can enrich your hub base, helping you between runs. 

Every character has its own skill tree. It's worthwhile to play as multiple heroes throughout the game because they can be upgraded. In addition, there are other abilities that can be acquired that help the group as a whole.  

Absolum doesn't skimp on replayability. 

The main story can be completed in about eight hours; completing the story with full exploration, side quests, and optional content can easily push your playtime to 30 hours or more. Side quests pop up naturally through exploration or conversations with NPCs. 

You may be rewarded with large loot, additional branching paths, or even characters who settle back at your base camp and assist you in between runs from these NPC conversations. Once you start mapping out the branching paths of Talamh, it's easy to tell if you should take the high or low road out of a stage to reach your intended destination. 

Absolum treats its world with openness, which is rare for a beat 'em up. You can access any point on the map at any time, and choosing different paths often gets you unique rewards. The variety in abilities, trinkets, rituals, and branching paths is good enough to keep you hooked. 

As for enemy variety, it's strong, ranging from basic soldiers to shielded enemies, elite foes, and multi-phase bosses. Even tutorial bosses are designed to challenge players, teaching them that dying is part of the roguelike loop. Defeating major bosses often grants significant upgrades, such as new finishing moves or buffed abilities. 

The roguelike aspect sees you collect crystals that can be spent to boost your stats permanently, while also translating the distance you travel and your overall success—such as combos—into a score that rewards you with materials for unlocking new skills and upgrading the runes you encounter on your journey.  

These runes can appear at the end of a battle before you proceed to the next area and are linked to elemental affinities. You might also be offered a choice of trinkets to boost your attack, luck, defense, gold, or the crystals, as mentioned earlier, which I was always happy to see. 

The power-ups can change how your abilities work. Maybe a dash leaves a fiery trail, or an electric charge arcs across the battlefield, or a mini-tornado lifts enemies off the ground.  

My personal favorite was the bramble build, spawning thorny turrets and throwable daggers, plus characters like Cider, making for a dazzling ballet across the battlefield. Later in the game, abilities start combining in wild, inventive ways, like fire tornadoes, summoned undead armies, and more, that I want you to try a hand at yourself. 

Accessibility is also another talking point.  

You can tweak damage received and dealt if a boss or section feels too punishing, which allows you to enjoy the experience without sacrificing challenge entirely. On PC and Steam Deck, the game runs smoothly at 60 FPS, maintaining its crisp visuals and responsive controls.  

Co-op supports up to 2 players, locally or online. Though I personally wished three-player support was available, the mercenary system can temporarily fill in the gaps if you're solo. 

Absolum's visual style grabs you immediately.  

The hand-drawn 2D art is lush and layered. Characters move with fluid animations, while environments overflow with autumnal tones. From dense forests to lizard-infested swamps to heavily guarded imperial fortresses, each zone is distinct and full of surprises.  

Even the rideable mounts and interactive hazards add a sense of dynamism to exploration and combat. That visual language—shorthanding your struggle as wild, potentially hazardous natural beauty against the suffocating weight of metallic subjugation—is just one way the beautiful 2D art style makes Absolum shine. 

The audio complements the visuals perfectly. The soundtrack mixes orchestral and metal elements for a surprisingly eclectic vibe. Voice acting and sound effects are top-notch, bringing your characters and the world to life. Even minor touches like menu navigation and cinematic cutscenes feel intentional, so to conclude the graphics and audio section, I have nothing but praise for Absolum here. 

One of Absolum's biggest strengths is how seamlessly all these systems come together.  

The combination of tight combat, meaningful progression, and a great in-game world never makes the game stale. You'll find yourself returning again and again, whether to experiment with a new ritual combo, explore a branching path you missed, or just enjoy the pure joy of beat 'em up. 

Absolum is an ode to the history of beat-'em-ups and also modern in its own way, with roguelike progression. The high difficulty and strategic depth make you have that "just one more run" feeling that defined arcades in the "ancient" times. 

It's challenging yet approachable. The game's a standout title in 2025, one that beat-'em-up and roguelike fans alike will want to experience. 

If you're on the fence, consider this: Absolum doesn't just make you play; it makes you adapt. It's a reminder of why we fell in love with beat 'em ups in the first place and a glimpse at what the genre can become when developers dare to innovate. I must say that it's one of 2025's finest indie releases and a must-play for anyone who loves all-out action or simply the thrill of repeated victory.