Dotemu and Guard Crush Games, the teams behind Streets of Rage 4, are back with Absolum, an action RPG rogue ‘em up set in a dark fantasy world. Announced today, Absolum is launching in 2025 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4, promising a fresh evolution of the beat ‘em up genre with deep combat, branching paths, and local and online co-op.
A Brutal Fantasy World Meets Beat ‘em Up Combat
Set in the war-torn land of Talamh, Absolum follows a rebellion against the tyrannical Sun King Azra, who has waged a brutal war against magic itself. Players take control of one of four powerful warriors, each with their own unique combat style and abilities.
Meet the First Two Playable Fighters:
- Karl – A powerful dwarf brawler who smashes enemies with his fists and keeps them at bay with a rifle.
Alongside magic-wielding mentors and the Root Sisters, the rebels must uncover the secret behind Azra’s power and restore balance to Talamh.
Classic Beat ‘em Up Action with a Rogue-like Twist
Unlike traditional beat ‘em ups, Absolum features:
- Branching paths and randomized encounters for fresh runs every time
- Skill-based combat with spells, counters, and upgradable abilities
- NPC interactions, quests, and loot-based progression
- Challenging bosses and dangerous enemies lurking in a hand-drawn fantasy world
Every run unlocks new permanent upgrades, gear, and abilities, encouraging experimentation with character builds and team strategies in both single-player and two-player co-op (local & online).
The Dream Team of Beat ‘em Ups and Animation
- Dotemu – The publishers of Streets of Rage 4 and Shredder’s Revenge bring their expertise to an original title for the first time.
- Guard Crush Games – The developers of Streets of Rage 4’s combat system refine and expand their brawler mechanics.
- Supamonks – The animation powerhouse (Rabbids Invasion: Mission to Mars) delivers hand-crafted visuals and stunning 2D combat animations.
Backing the action is an epic original soundtrack from Gareth Coker (Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ori and the Will of the Wisps).
Prepare for Battle in 2025
Absolum is set to launch in 2025 on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PS4.
