Absolum is a well-regarded fantasy roguelite beat ’em up, with critics praising its rhythmic combat, hand-drawn art and distinct characters. PC Gamer’s review scored the PC version 83/100, while also flagging limited run variety, a lonely solo experience and a shorter-feeling final act. Steam users were positive in an October 2026 snapshot, but that changing user-review score is separate from critics’ assessments.
What is Absolum?
Absolum is a fantasy roguelite beat ’em up developed by Dotemu, Guard Crush Games and Supamonks. Dotemu describes it as the publisher’s first original intellectual property. The game is set in Talamh, a world ruled by Sun King Azra after a magical cataclysm. Players choose one of four rebel characters and fight through branching routes, quests and boss encounters.
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Absolum (PlayStation 5 | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Runs are the core loop: combat and route choices play out over repeated attempts, while unlockable items and permanent warrior upgrades give progress a longer arc. That combination makes it a fit for players who enjoy side-scrolling brawlers but also want a reason to return after a run ends. Dotemu’s game page describes the setting and characters, and its launch announcement outlines the game’s features.
What did critics think of Absolum?
In a review published October 9, 2025, Evan Lahti of PC Gamer scored the PC version 83/100. He summed up his verdict as: “A fantastic roguelite beat ’em up in a gorgeous fantasy setting.” The review highlights the combat’s rhythm, expressive hand-drawn visuals, the distinct feel of the characters and the ability to adjust difficulty.
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#1 Best Overall
- Includes Digital Soundtrack by composer Gareth Coker.
- Absolum combines Dotemu and Guard Crush’s mastery in beat ‘em up gameplay with Supamonks' best-in-class art and animation.
- Absolum will challenge you with multiple paths to explore and unpredictable encounters for a new experience each time you play.
- Meet the outcast heroes of Talamh, each with their unique fighting style.
- Lead the uprising against Azra's regime as a lone hero, or team up with a friend on your couch or online.
That score and verdict represent one critic’s assessment, not a complete consensus across reviewers. The review’s strengths are most relevant if you value responsive-feeling brawler combat, visual character and meaningful differences between playable fighters.
What are the main criticisms?
PC Gamer’s review also points to limitations that may matter depending on what you want from a roguelite:
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- Use darkness and cover to avoid being overwhelmed by the ship's deadly new inhabitants
- Seek out the weapon fabricators to increase your firepower as you journey deeper, into the dark and terrifying depths, but beware ammo is limited
- Gather materials & schematics for weapon upgrades and suit customizations with buffs
- Harvest DNA material to improve health, toughness and defensive capabilities.Survive an ever changing labyrinth. Each and every expedition into The Persistence will be disorienting and different.Death is just the beginning. Fatal encounters will result in Zimri's consciousness being uploaded into a new cloned body, ready to try again, with any upgraded stats, suits & weapon schematics kept to aid the next attempt to save the ship
- Less run-to-run variation: Lahti says Absolum has less variation than a true roguelike. Players seeking highly unpredictable builds or radically different runs may find the structure comparatively familiar.
- A less satisfying final stretch: The review says the third act feels shorter than the first two, so the campaign’s later portion may feel less substantial.
- Solo play can feel lonely: The review describes playing alone as a lonely experience. That is a subjective reaction, but worth weighing if you expect solo play to deliver the same energy as co-op.
- Some upgrade choices lack clarity: Certain ritual gems are difficult to understand or seem unhelpful, which can make progression decisions less intuitive.
These are PC Gamer’s specific observations, not claims that every player will encounter the same problems. Read the full PC Gamer review for its complete evaluation.
How do Steam users rate it?
Steam’s listing showed 93% positive across 4,518 English-language user reviews, and 89% positive across 256 recent reviews, in a snapshot captured October 7, 2026. These are changing Steam user-review figures, not critic scores or the results of a representative survey. They indicate the tone of reviews on that platform at that time; they do not establish what all players think.
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Does Absolum have co-op, and where can you play?
Steam lists single-player, online co-op, shared/split-screen co-op and cross-platform multiplayer. The original launch was October 9, 2025, for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Windows Central reported an Xbox Series X|S release in March 2026, and Dotemu’s current game page lists Xbox Series X. Check the store for your platform and region for current availability and any platform-specific details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are there physical editions?
GameSpot reported on October 20, 2025, that Amazon listings existed for physical Nintendo Switch and PS5 editions, each including the base game and a digital soundtrack. That report documents those editions at the time; it does not confirm current stock or pricing. If buying physical, check the live retailer listing and verify the platform, region, edition and seller. The relevant options are a Switch physical edition or a PS5 physical edition, versus a digital copy on a supported platform; the reported soundtrack may be a deciding extra if you want a physical copy.
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