Introducing Absolum: The Exciting Fantasy Brawler from the Streets of Rage 4 Team

Dotemu and Guard Crush Games, the studios behind the highly praised beat ’em up sequel Streets of Rage 4, are collaborating once more for something slightly different: Absolum, a fantasy-inspired side-scrolling brawler infused with rogue-like elements set to launch this year.

Absolum aims to merge “exciting arcade beat ’em up gameplay” with “complex, skillful combat” to create what Dotemu refers to as a “rogue ’em up”. There’s talk of quests, diverging paths, non-playable characters (NPCs), unlockable equipment, permanent character upgrades, and combinable abilities – all within a fantastical setting that channels the essence of classic brawlers like Golden Axe.

The action in Absolum unfolds across Talamh, a realm filled with wonder and cosmic terrors engulfed in conflict following a catastrophic magical event. Here, the game’s quartet of rebels emerges, embarking on an epic journey to challenge the Sun King Azra and free Talamh after they are bestowed with immense magical powers.

All four rebels are playable (either solo or cooperative) and each features their own unique skill trees and character traits, with two having been introduced so far. For instance, there’s Galandra – a swift, sword-wielding combatant designed for close-quarters confrontation – while Karl is a stout dwarf equipped with powerful punches and a firearm that can take down foes from a distance.

“Absolum combines arcade-style melee combat with magic spells, counters, upgradable skills, and uniquely formidable playable characters,” explains Dotemu, “offering a grand, high-stakes adventure.”