Absolum

Hades 2, Megabonk, CloverPit, Rotwood, Deadly Days: Roadtrip and Abyssus demonstrate the variety of roguelites, to name but a few. Dotemu also proves with Absolum that this extremely popular concept works brilliantly with arcade-style brawling action.

Absolum is often referred to as 'Hades meets Streets of Rogue 4' – a description which is actually quite accurate. Developed by Dotemu, Guard Crush Games and Supamonks, this game combines arcade-style brawling action with roguelite progression, storytelling, hand-crafted stages, vast replayability and RPG elements - all in the spirit of classic brawlers such as Golden Axe, Castle Crashers and Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara. It features melee combat with spells, counters and upgradable abilities, not to mention a host of uniquely playable fighters on a quest to bring down the tyrannical regime of the fantasy realm of Talamh.

Absolum can be played solo or in two-player local or online co-op mode. Players can choose from four characters: Galandra, a sword-clad fighter; Karl, a tank-like dwarf; Cider, an enigmatic rogue; and Brome, a magically gifted character. Each fighter brings their own unique advantages, skills, and motivations to the battlefield. Players can chain together combos and spellcasting powers in a combat system that demands skill and timing. The depth of this system goes beyond that of typical beat 'em ups. For instance, players can break enemy guards, punish advancing enemies with devastating super power attacks, and experiment with buffs such as elemental magic. The controls are both precise and beginner-friendly, which is a testament to the experience of Dotemu and Guard Crush Games. The fights are varied, fluid and powerful, and the build options are remarkable. Players can experiment with buffs during each run, using earned XP to boost stats, gain new combat abilities and unlock alternate movesets for defeating foes. There are also items, quests, and permanent warrior upgrades, as well as the option to mix and match character skills and start new runs.

"Absolum is Dotemu's boldest creation yet, standing as our first original IP and a crucial new venture for the future of Dotemu. Absolum builds on knowledge gained from our previous beat 'em up collaboration with Guard Crush Games and our publishing work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, as well as a lifelong passion we share with Guard Crush Games for classic and modern beat ’em up titles. Our ultimate goal is to fundamentally evolve the genre’s potential in a way that's unique from the traditional brawlers we’ve all come to love, and I knew the team was well suited to accomplish this from the first time I played Absolum." - Cyrille Imbert, CEO of Dotemu, upon the announcement of the game

According to the developers, it will take around six to eight hours to reach the first ending due to the roguelite structure. The main story takes over 20 hours to complete, but there is additional content for completionists.

Visually outstanding and animated by Supamonks, the game's cartoon-like aesthetic is reminiscent of Hades by Supergiant Games. However, it clearly sets itself apart with its side-on perspective, typical of beat 'em ups. Absolum features an original soundtrack composed by Gareth Coker (Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Halo Infinite), and collaborations with Mick Gordon (Doom Eternal), Yuka Kitamura (Elden Ring), and Motoi Sakuraba (Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes).

Absolum was developed by Dotemu, in collaboration with Guard Crush Games and Supamonks. Dotemu is a French video game company that specialises in reviving pop culture licences and bringing them to PC and modern consoles. They are known for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, Streets of Rage 4, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, Metal Slug Tactics, Windjammers 1 and 2, and Pharaoh: A New Era, among others. Dotemu is currently working on Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes, as well as other projects planned for 2026 and beyond.

Founded in France in 2009 by Jordi Asensio and Cyrille Lagarigue, Guard Crush Games was born out of the duo's passion for classic beat 'em up games. The team is best known for its work on Streets of Rage 4. Prior to this, they released Streets of Fury on Xbox 360 and its follow-up, Streets of Fury: Extended Edition, on PC in 2015. Supamonks is a French animation studio founded in 2007 that creates 2D and 3D content for cinema, television (Rabbid Invasion: Mission to Mars) and video games. They are responsible for the visual style and animations in the game.

The publisher of the game is Dotemu, as well as Gamirror Games in China and Chinese-speaking regions. Absolum is Dotemu's first original IP, and an animated series adaptation has already been announced by Dotemu and Supamonks. This collaboration aims to expand Absolum's universe beyond the game by building upon its lore and narrative.

"We are particularly excited about making this animated series because Supamonks has been involved in the Absolum project since its inception. Our teams have helped shape this universe right from the very start, and being able to now transform it into an animated series feels like a logical and exciting next step in our work. It is a unique opportunity to add a new dimension to a world we already know so well." - Julien Bagnol-Roy, CEO of Supamonks

"As the first original production in our portfolio, Absolum has been given special attention at every stage of its development. Thanks to the game's lore, art, and narrative development, we are certain it will be transformed into an incredible TV series—one that we would love to watch ourselves! The quality of their work and their involvement in the game’s artistic direction make Supamonks the ideal partner for this ambitious project." - Cyrille Imbert, CEO of Dotemu

Absolum was released on 9 October 2025 for €24.99 on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Conclusion

Dotemu has made a strong statement with Absolom, its first original IP. It is an excellent blend of classic beat 'em up action and modern roguelite elements, featuring stylish graphics and a great soundtrack.