Absolum doesn’t ease you in, it throws you headfirst into a crumbling world of rebellion, magic, and brutal combat and I loved every second of this demo. The hand-drawn visuals immediately stand out: thick lines, rich palettes, and a visual identity that feels like a graphic novel brought to life. It’s gritty, mystical, and unapologetically stylish.
And then the fighting begins.
This isn’t your standard side-scrolling brawler. Absolum blends classic beat-’em-up DNA with modern roguelike design. I played as Galandra, a nimble swordfighter, slicing through waves of enemies with tight combos, dodge-roll counters, and charged finishers. Every hit feels heavy, every dodge deliberate as intended. The rhythm of the combat is what hooked me, you’re constantly switching between offense and survival.
Each run feels unique thanks to a smart upgrade system. As you push forward, you’re offered blessings that change your build on the fly: burn effects, chain lightning, defensive bursts and they genuinely shift your playstyle. This isn’t just stat tweaking; it’s adapting mid-run and making those decisions matter.
The world design is layered and curious. You’re not just walking left to right, you’re also exploring alternate paths, uncovering hidden chambers, and stumbling into optional encounters that reshape your run. It keeps things fresh without losing that punchy arcade flow.
Between runs, you return to a rebel camp where you invest resources into permanent upgrades: new moves, stat boosts, even resurrection perks. The progression is satisfying without softening the game’s edge. You’ll still die but you come back stronger, smarter, and more prepared.
Boss fights are standout moments. They’re challenging, multi-phase brawls that demand patience and precision. The demo ended with a duel that pushed me to the limit and left me wanting to dive right back in.
Presentation-wise, Absolum nails it. The fantasy world feels lived-in, the sound design is crisp, and everything from menu transitions to ability effects carries polish and attitude.
Absolum is reinventing the beat ’em up genre by blending it with roguelike elements. Fast, reactive combat meets layered roguelike structure, all wrapped in a stunning fantasy aesthetic. It’s a game that demands your attention, punishes hesitation, and rewards mastery. One run becomes five. You die, you learn, you go again.
