Absolum Reviews
With its brilliant blend of beat ’em up and roguelite mechanics, a carefully crafted atmosphere that clearly comes from skilled hands, a well-thought-out progression system, and satisfying combat, this is one of the year’s biggest surprises. If not for a few minor issues, it could’ve been a Game of the Year contender. Definitely worth checking out.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
With so many Rogue-Lite games releasing, it's rare to find one that feels as unique and surprising as Absolum
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Overall, Absolum is a masterfully crafted beat ‘em up that takes an already addicting and fun gameplay formula and adds new elements of intrigue to it. All of this is packed into a beautiful world with nooks and crannies to explore to your hearts content and a story that makes it all make sense in an intelligent manner. The coat of paint over the whole package wraps a beautiful little bow over the whole thing, creating a game that is fun to play, satisfying to look at, and makes you want to keep exploring and coming back to.
The fantasy story is decent but not on par with the combat mechanics, and the rogue-like elements are not as inventive as they could be. But, especially when playing with a friend, Absolum creates exciting and fun battles.
Absolum is not worth playing overall, due to its many problems that may not be fixed even with serious updates. However, since it can be played as a two-player game, it might be worth looking at as a casual and entertaining game and spending a few hours on it.
Review in Persian | Read full review
An oustanding fantasy-themed roguelite beat 'em up that shines on PS5
Absolum is a fantastic new intellectual property, the result of another successful partnership between DotEmu and Guard Crush. The game innovates by fusing the beat'em-up genre with roguelite, making it unlike anything else on the market. Its solid design and constant surprise factor make this "rogue-em-up" a highly recommended game, even for those who are frustrated by randomness.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Absolum is pretty much everything you could want in a roguelike beat-'em-up. It's engaging, constantly varied, fun to play, gorgeous to look at, and it's pretty much a nonstop good time. The only way I can see a fan of the beat-'em-up genre not liking Absolum is if they don't like roguelikes. Even then, I could see it melting some hearts. It's a delight from start to finish, and the game is nearly impossible to put down.
undefined.There's more to do after rolling credits the first time, but my main take away is just how good the combat feels and how gorgeous everything looks while you're doing it. Absolum is made by a team that understands how to make a great brawler, like Shredder's Revenge and Streets of Rage 4, so you can expect a similar level of polish and chops. I ended up clearing the game with every character because I was having such a good time, and with all the awesome games I still haven't played from September, that's proof positive that any beat-'em-up fan should absolutely be checking out Absolum.
With its stunning visuals, beautiful soundtrack and gratifying gameplay, Absolum will draw you in from the outset. And thanks to its roguelike elements it has plenty of longevity and depth. One of the best games of 2025, this is a must-play whether you're a fan of beat 'em ups or roguelikes.
Absolum combines the immediacy of beat 'em ups with the depth of roguelites, and does it surprisingly well.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Juggling attacks and skills as you gradually make it further through its variety of stunning environments makes Absolum one rewarding brawler.
Absolum is a great 2026 indie title. 2026 is proving to be a good year for gaming, and Absolum is up there with the best releases so far. Its incredible story, wonderful aesthetics, and addictive gameplay make this a must-play indie title. It looks amazing, and I loved every second. Therefore, you must grab a copy from the Xbox store!
Absolum is an easy recommendation. If you enjoy roguelikes, roguelites, or classic side-scrolling beat-‘em-ups, this is a game that will hook you quickly and keep you coming back. Its blend of tight combat, evolving gameplay systems, and meaningful progression makes every run feel worthwhile. It’s the kind of game you won’t want to put down, and one you’ll likely revisit with friends just to experience it all over again.
Absolum doesn’t just revive the side-scrolling beat ’em up — it elevates it. This is a game forged with fire, magic, and heart — a modern classic in the making. – CtrlQueen
Dotemu, Guard Crush, and Supamonks have pulled out all the stops with a beat 'em up that marks an evolution in the genre thanks to a solid combat system and top-notch technical features. Honestly, I'm struggling to find any weak points in such a solid offering. Without a doubt, this is a bold step forward for a genre that never goes out of style.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Absolum fuses the frenetic energy of beat 'em ups with deep roguelite systems to deliver a stylish and addictive experience. While its narrative struggles to match the grandeur of its worldbuilding, the moment-to-moment gameplay and audiovisual design shine. Dotemu’s bold take on the genre blend pays off in gameplay variety and mechanical depth, even if its progression balance and storytelling lack polish.
The more I think about Absolum, the more impressed I am by it. This is the rare game where I really can’t think of anything to criticize. It does a fantastic job of expanding what we would usually expect of a beat ‘em up, keeping it fresh and interesting to play over dozens of runs. It looks, sounds, and runs great, and it plays phenomenally. It may not quite have the kinetic impact of my very favorite brawlers, but this is a game that dares to push beyond what fans expect from its genre and succeeds on all counts.
For fans of old-school beat ’em ups, Absolum is a celebration. For players who grew up with modern roguelikes, it’s a way to get back into a genre that’s older than most of us but still exciting. In any case, it’s one of the best things that happened this year.
Absolum isn’t just a traditional beat ’em up; it’s an action experience that blends the thrill of combat with the charm of steady progression, all within a rich and beautiful world. And although it isn’t without flaws—such as its limited storytelling and a few systems that could use better balancing—it remains exceptionally enjoyable. It’s one of those games that remind you how simplicity can deliver a genuinely satisfying feeling, making it one of the best indie titles of 2025.
Review in Arabic | Read full review