Absolum Reviews
Absolum brilliantly merges the slick, progression-driven feel of Hades with satisfying, visually stunning beat 'em up combat, offering a feature-rich co-op experience. Despite its gorgeous animation and responsive systems, the game suffers from noticeable enemy repetition and requires some tedious late-game grinding, slightly detracting from its otherwise stellar genre combination.
Absolum isn't a game that reinvents the wheel, it has its own unique takes, and it brings back an underused genre, which is pretty cool, alongside a very trendy genre, and it's fun in its own right. It has its drawbacks, but they don't detract from its positives.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
For people who played Streets of Rage 4’s roguelite DLC and wanted more, Absolum scratches that itch and then some. For traditionalists, it might not be your cup of tea because of the structure, but it makes a valiant effort to get there and endear itself to all. Just be sure you know exactly what you're biting off.
Absolum delivers a truly special roguelite experience. By reining in some of the random elements, it’s able to create a smooth-running story that allows those with less than infinite time an experience they can enjoy.
The game is too good. Absolum is not only one of the best games you will play all year, it is my current favorite game of the year.
Beat em ups are a genre reluctant to take chances or step outside of tradition. As a result, most modern experiences feel rote by the end of their short 4-6 hours. Absolum is the best beat em up of all time because Dotemu understood that to make the game a complete package it had to stretch beyond the restrictions of the genre. Absolum is a beat em up first and a roguelite second, but above everything, it's a magical experience that has the power to transcend genre boundaries.
Absolum is a great beat 'em up with excellent gameplay, stunning visuals, and incredible soundtracks. However, the game falls short as a roguelite, offering a story that takes a while to pick up and little variation between runs.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Absolum, regardless of its somewhat bland world and story, has everything else extremely locked down, including a fantastic soundtrack that features the likes of Mick Gordon and many other talented folk. Still, the title's incredibly strong gameplay and eye-catching visuals, along with its co-op nature, make this an absolute easy recommendation on those things alone. Whether local or online, Absolum is a visually stunning Beat’em Up that almost lands that perfect punch.
Absolum doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. It just nails what makes these types of games fun with tight combat, satisfying progression, and visuals that make every punch and throw look special. It’s fast, it’s beautiful, and it’s got heart. And that’s exactly what you want from a game like this. The best thing you can say about Absolum is that it's a game that everyone needs to play.
Absolum is one of the big surprises of 2025. What could have been just another roguelite has turned out to be a brilliant combination of beat 'em up with a deep combat system and the roguelite genre. Dotemu and the studios involved have managed to make each run intense, strategic, and tremendously fun, both solo and in co-op.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Absolum is a confident side-scroller with satisfying, punchy combat and a good spread of characters and skills
With awesome controls and simple-yet-tough-to-master gameplay, a challenging bout of levels and bosses that require you to make use of the perma-upgrades option given, and tons of replayability coupled with a beautiful aesthetic, Absolum is one side-scrolling trip you don't want to skip. Just get ready to eat dirt over and over again, and get a reliable friend over to help you out.
Absolum is truly a well-made title. The folks at Guard Crush and Supamonks, with the help of publisher DOTEMU, have created a magnificent work in virtually every respect. I would only advise against this title if you deeply dislike the genre, but even then, I would urge you to give it a chance. The artwork elevates the good gameplay and tells an engaging story that will keep you company for many hours.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Absolum masterfully blends classic beat 'em up action with roguelite progression and mature fantasy storytelling to create something truly special. Dotemu delivers crispy combat, meaningful worldbuilding, and enough content to keep you hooked for 25+ hours and beyond. Whether you're chasing nostalgia or craving innovation, this is an essential pickup.
Absolum combines two iconic genres to create the first rogue 'em up, resulting in one of the most addictive and unique gaming experiences of the year.
Absolum is everything I’ve wanted in a roguelite action game. Its combat is deep, expressive, and highly reactive, letting skill and mastery shine instead of leaning too heavily on rituals. Each character feels genuinely distinct, and the forward progression always pushes you back in with more power and tools to experiment with. Every strike, kick, and launcher is animated with absurd detail, and the art direction never stops impressing. Absolum hits hard, stays stylish, and never lets up until you’ve seen everything it has to offer.