Absolum officially launches October 9, 2025 at 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 3pm CEST across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, delivering the roguelite beat ’em up from Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, and Supamonks studio—the dream team behind Streets of Rage 4 that redefined side-scrolling brawlers. The fantasy action game set in original world of Talamh features four unique playable heroes including dwarf gunfighter Karl, elf swordswoman Galandra, agile dual-dagger wielder Cidar, and newly-revealed humanoid frog wizard Brome who surfs on his staff, combining arcade-style melee combat with roguelite replayability through randomized level layouts, unlockable passive Rituals, permanent progression systems, and both solo and cooperative multiplayer supporting two players locally or online. The immersive adventure features soundtrack by Gareth Coker (Ori, Halo Infinite, Prince of Persia) with collaborations from Mick Gordon (Doom Eternal, Atomic Heart) and Yuka Kitamura (Dark Souls, Elden Ring), exploring rebellious uprising against Sun King Azra’s magical tyranny following cataclysm that shattered Talamh.
The Four Playable Heroes
Absolum features four distinct character classes with unique combat styles and abilities according to Wikipedia’s gameplay breakdown. Karl the dwarf fights enemies with guns and bare fists, providing ranged-melee hybrid playstyle ideal for players wanting tactical distance management. Galandra the elf wields a massive sword delivering heavy damage through slower, powerful strikes suited for aggressive close-range brawling. Cidar uses two daggers allowing quick consecutive attacks building combo chains rapidly through agile movement and fast attack speeds.
Brome represents the newest character reveal—a Mowlaï (humanoid frog) wizard born with magical prowess according to Dotemu’s August 2025 announcement. Brome travels by levitation using his staff for melee combos, ranged AoE spellcasting, and hoverboard-style gliding across battlefields. The Gamer’s preview called Brome ‘Absolum’s best character’ and stated plans ‘on maining when the game launches on October 9,’ praising the wizard’s versatile toolkit combining mobility, ranged magic, and satisfying melee options creating most complete character kit in the roster.
The Roguelite Gameplay Loop
Absolum combines beat ’em up combat with roguelite elements creating endless replayability through randomized content according to official descriptions. At each run’s beginning, players equip ‘Rituals’—passive abilities and bonuses that alter attacks. Clearing combat encounters unlocks more Rituals for future use, though all equipped Rituals are lost if the player character dies. Level layouts and Ritual availability randomizes each run, ensuring no two playthroughs feel identical despite revisiting same regions multiple times.
Defeated players return to hub realm where they recover health and shop for permanent unlocks or new upgrades before attempting next runs. Defeating bosses may unlock ‘Inspirations’—active combat skills expanding tactical options beyond basic light/heavy attack strings. The permanent progression systems ensure even failed runs contribute to long-term character development, with PC Gamer’s preview calling Absolum ‘isn’t just the best demo on Steam, it’s one of my favorite things I’ve played in 2025,’ validating the addictive ‘just one more run’ compulsion that defines successful roguelites.
Combat Mechanics and Depth
Each character has basic light and heavy attacks, with consecutive strikes building combos and generating mana for unleashing ‘Arcana’—special attacks dealing significant damage according to Wikipedia. Players can dodge or sidestep avoiding incoming attacks, with perfectly-timed dodges or attacks just before enemy hits land triggering deflections that leave opponents stunned vulnerable to punishing counterattacks. That timing-based defensive system rewards skilled play beyond button-mashing, creating skill ceiling separating expert players from casual brawlers.
Nintendo’s official description emphasizes taking down Azra’s elite guard with mix of rapid combo chains and spellcasting powers, unleashing moves that feel as raw as they are strategic. Magical counters and rare items turn tides in players’ favor, with combat demanding skill and timing pushing players crafting new strategies each run wreaking havoc among enemy ranks. The depth prevents Absolum from devolving into repetitive button-mashing that plagues lesser beat ’em ups, instead rewarding mastery of dodge timing, combo optimization, and resource management across extended runs.
The Fantasy World of Talamh
Absolum’s story unfolds in original fantasy world of Talamh, shattered by magical cataclysm caused by ambitious wizards leaving magic mistrusted by common folk. Sun King Azra exploited this panic, enslaving wizards through his Crimson Order and placing loyal princes ruling conquered realms. As Azra’s forces claim more lands, high enchantress Uchawi and small rebel group rise from shadows wielding forbidden magic challenging his oppressive regime and defying his absolute magic power according to PlayStation Store descriptions.
Players explore intricate tapestry brimming with secrets, stories, and betrayals according to Nintendo’s description. From majestic mines of Grandery to lush forests of Jaroba, every step accompanies magnificent orchestral soundtrack. The narrative framework provides context for endless runs through roguelite structure, with rebels repeatedly infiltrating Azra’s territories gathering strength and allies across multiple attempts eventually culminating in confrontation with Sun King himself. Whether story payoff satisfies players investing dozens of hours grinding through runs remains uncertain until full release allows experiencing complete narrative arc.
The Dream Team Development
Absolum combines Dotemu and Guard Crush’s mastery in beat ’em up gameplay with Supamonks’ best-in-class art and animation according to official marketing. That collaboration reunites the team behind Streets of Rage 4—the critically-acclaimed 2020 revival that resurrected Sega’s dormant franchise earning overwhelmingly positive reviews for respectful modernization balancing nostalgia with contemporary quality-of-life improvements. The pedigree suggests Absolum benefits from accumulated expertise perfecting side-scrolling brawler mechanics across multiple successful projects.
Dotemu established reputation as premier retro revival publisher through titles like Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, Windjammers 2, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, consistently delivering polished experiences honoring classic gameplay while implementing modern conveniences. Guard Crush Games brings technical combat design expertise, while Supamonks contributes gorgeous hand-drawn animation that defined Streets of Rage 4’s visual identity. Whether that collaborative chemistry replicates previous success in original IP versus licensed revival remains Absolum’s biggest question mark.
The All-Star Composer Lineup
Absolum features soundtrack by Gareth Coker, acclaimed composer behind Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Halo Infinite, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown according to Nintendo’s description. However, the soundtrack also features collaborations from Mick Gordon (Doom Eternal, Atomic Heart) and Yuka Kitamura (Dark Souls series, Elden Ring)—three of gaming’s most celebrated composers bringing distinct musical sensibilities to Talamh’s fantasy adventure.
Coker’s orchestral fantasy compositions provide thematic foundation, while Gordon’s industrial metal intensity likely accompanies intense boss battles, and Kitamura’s somber orchestral work probably underscores tragic narrative moments. The stylistic diversity creates musical variety preventing audio fatigue across extended play sessions, with each composer’s signature sound complementing different gameplay contexts. Whether the collaborative soundtrack achieves cohesive identity or feels disjointed jumping between radically different styles won’t be clear until experiencing full game’s audio landscape contextually during actual gameplay.
Co-Op Multiplayer Support
Absolum supports two-player cooperative multiplayer both locally and online according to PlayStation Store and Nintendo descriptions. Players lead uprising against Azra’s regime as lone hero or team up with friends on couch or online, combining elemental powers and synchronizing attacks into incredible chained combos. The cooperative structure encourages coordination beyond simply having two players attacking simultaneously, with combo synergies rewarding planned team attacks executing devastating combined strikes.
Whether online co-op maintains stable connections during intense combat or suffers netcode issues common in action games requiring precise timing remains critical question. Streets of Rage 4’s online co-op faced criticism for laggy connections undermining combat timing, suggesting Absolum potentially inherits similar technical limitations if networking infrastructure hasn’t significantly improved. The local co-op presumably avoids those issues, providing ideal experience for players able gathering physically though limiting accessibility for geographically separated friends wanting cooperative sessions.
Steam Next Fest Demo Reception
PC Gamer’s June 2025 preview declared Absolum ‘isn’t just the best demo on Steam, it’s one of my favorite things I’ve played in 2025,’ calling it ‘the best game of Steam Next Fest’ during promotional event. The overwhelmingly positive reception validated years of development, with players praising combat feel, visual presentation, and roguelite progression hooks creating addictive gameplay loops. Destructoid noted the demo ‘was a blast’ and expressed confidence ‘the full release will deliver,’ suggesting early builds successfully captured intended experience.
The Gamer’s August preview expressed concern about potential linearity in later regions but noted finding ‘relief’ discovering more varied mid-run upgrades than initially feared, with ‘plenty to uncover’ across elemental attacks and hidden rooms revealing extensive upgrade trees and boon systems. That preview concluded worrying ‘mostly about nothing’ and ‘counting down the hours until I can dive back into Tamalh properly,’ demonstrating sustained enthusiasm surviving multiple preview sessions across several months rather than single impressive demo creating false hype that fades upon deeper examination.
Launch Timing and Competition
Absolum launches October 9 globally across all platforms simultaneously at 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 3pm CEST according to Destructoid’s countdown, with no advanced access or regional staggering. The Gamer expressed ‘a bit of fear about it being overshadowed by Battlefield 6’s release the next day’ on October 10, noting October’s crowded release calendar potentially burying exceptional indie games beneath AAA blockbuster marketing budgets. However, Absolum’s distinct roguelite beat ’em up identity occupies completely different gaming niche than military shooters, potentially avoiding direct competition.
The $30.80 price point (¥3,080 in Japan according to Arc System Works listing) positions Absolum as premium indie rather than budget title, reflecting development pedigree and production values justifying higher costs compared to typical $15-20 indie releases. Whether pricing proves appropriate depends on campaign length, replayability depth, and whether roguelite structure provides sufficient content variety sustaining dozens of hours without repetitive tedium that plagues poorly-designed roguelites failing to maintain engagement beyond initial novelty.
Community Reception
The Reddit r/Games launch trailer thread received modest 30 upvotes with minimal comments, suggesting limited mainstream awareness despite demo’s Steam Next Fest success. That disconnect between enthusiast preview reception and broader gaming community awareness highlights marketing challenges indie games face competing for attention against AAA juggernauts dominating October. Whether post-launch word-of-mouth from satisfied players generates organic momentum building sustainable audience or Absolum remains cult favorite appreciated by dedicated beat ’em up enthusiasts determines commercial viability justifying potential sequels or post-launch support.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Absolum release?
Absolum launches October 9, 2025 at 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 3pm CEST globally across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam simultaneously with no regional staggering or advanced access.
What is Absolum’s gameplay?
Absolum is a roguelite beat ’em up combining arcade-style side-scrolling combat with randomized level layouts, unlockable passive Rituals, permanent progression systems, and boss-unlocked active Inspirations creating endless replayability through varied runs.
How many characters are in Absolum?
Absolum features four playable heroes: Karl (dwarf gunfighter), Galandra (elf swordswoman), Cidar (agile dual-dagger wielder), and Brome (humanoid frog wizard with levitation and staff-surfing abilities).
Does Absolum have co-op?
Yes, Absolum supports two-player cooperative multiplayer both locally (couch co-op) and online, allowing players combining elemental powers and synchronizing attacks into chained combos.
Who developed Absolum?
Absolum is developed by Guard Crush Games and Supamonks and published by Dotemu—the same dream team behind Streets of Rage 4 that redefined side-scrolling beat ’em ups.
Who composed Absolum’s soundtrack?
The soundtrack is by Gareth Coker (Ori, Halo Infinite, Prince of Persia) with collaborations from Mick Gordon (Doom Eternal, Atomic Heart) and Yuka Kitamura (Dark Souls, Elden Ring).
How much does Absolum cost?
Absolum costs approximately $30-31 USD (¥3,080 in Japan), positioning it as premium indie title reflecting Streets of Rage 4 team pedigree and production values.
Conclusion
Absolum’s October 9, 2025 global launch delivers the roguelite beat ’em up from Dotemu, Guard Crush, and Supamonks—the acclaimed Streets of Rage 4 team bringing accumulated side-scrolling brawler expertise to original fantasy IP set in magical world of Talamh where four unique heroes including newly-revealed wizard Brome wield forbidden magic confronting Sun King Azra’s oppressive regime through arcade-style combat fused with endless roguelite replayability via randomized runs, unlockable Rituals, permanent progression, and boss-unlocked Inspirations. The dream team pedigree combined with soundtrack featuring Gareth Coker, Mick Gordon, and Yuka Kitamura collaborations plus both local and online two-player co-op creates compelling package that PC Gamer called ‘the best demo on Steam’ and ‘one of my favorite things I’ve played in 2025′ during June’s Steam Next Fest, validating years of development through overwhelmingly positive preview reception praising combat feel, visual presentation, and addictive gameplay loops. Whether Absolum replicates Streets of Rage 4’s critical and commercial success in original IP versus licensed revival determines if the $31 premium indie pricing proves justified through sufficient campaign length and replayability depth sustaining dozens of hours without repetitive tedium, though the October 10 Battlefield 6 launch creates overshadowing concerns that exceptional indie games risk burial beneath AAA marketing budgets despite occupying completely different gaming niches avoiding direct competition for beat ’em up enthusiasts seeking cooperative fantasy brawling across PlayStation, Nintendo, and PC platforms simultaneously launching worldwide 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 3pm CEST.