Indie game of the week: Absolum

In our weekly indie section, we’re recommending Absolum, developed by Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, and Supamonks.

This week we’re back in arcade mode, but with combat, repetition, and runs (self-contained playthroughs that reset and play out differently each time) on our minds. Absolum feels like the classic side-scrolling brawlers many of us grew up on, games like Golden Axe or Streets of Rage, with added exploration and story, all wrapped in a very polished look.

The game supports two-player co-op, on the same couch or online, which is great if you’re always looking for an excuse to get a partner or friends into a new co-op title.

On Steam it’s $24.99; a 25% discount until October 8 brings it down to $18.74.

What is Absolum?

The setting is Talamh, a fantasy realm where Sun King Azra has hoarded all magic and cast out the old heroes. You play as one of those exiles (solo or with a partner) to tear down his rule with punches and spells.

Each session is a non-linear run. You don’t always march through the same screens in the same order: on a map you pick paths, run into character events, and between attempts you unlock upgrades that carry into the next run. It still plays like a classic beat ’em up (fight through stages, screen by screen), with a roguelite twist: when you lose, you start over with a bit more experience and more options.

What draws me to this title?

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the art direction hooked me hard, and Gareth Coker’s score (from Ori), plus the sound effects and voice work, pull you into the world even more.

Melee combat feels weighty and responsive; enemies react to your hits with satisfying animations. The run structure and route exploration appeal to me too (I’m a roguelite fan), so each playthrough feels different.

It launched on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation in October 2025; March 2026 brought Xbox Series X|S (and Game Pass), and Nintendo Switch 2 followed on September 17, 2026. If you missed it at launch, it’s in a good place now: settled patches and very positive Steam reviews.

But enough words: here’s what it looks like in motion:

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Why it hooked me

It combines two things that don’t always mesh: old-school arcade reflexes and modern progression. You don’t need to be a genre veteran to get into it; runs are manageable, and a loss doesn’t feel wasted if you learned a boss pattern or a map layout.

Co-op is where it shines; I’d been wanting a game like this to play with a friend. Splitting who covers which zone, watching each other’s back, and chaining hits to clear a screen feels great. Solo works too (better if you have someone to play with).

Will you enjoy this game?

• Yes, if… you want classic beat ’em up impact, like choosing routes each run, value two-player co-op, or prefer skill-based roguelites over mindless grinding.
• Not so much, if… you want a long linear movie-style story, only ranged combat, or five-minute sessions with no learning curve: you’ll read menus, parse upgrades, and need a few runs to find the rhythm.

The one caveat

Because it blends genres, it can clash if you only want one pure thing. It’s not a straight “next screen, keep punching” brawler: maps, quests, and upgrades between runs break pure arcade pacing. It’s not an endless wave-survival game either. If you want a single genre at full strength, the mix may feel odd; if the middle ground suits you, the loop clicks fast.

Conclusion

Absolum is my indie of the week because it shows you can build an original world that still smells like an arcade, with today’s standards. A solid pick to rotate something co-op into your library, or to try straight from Game Pass on Xbox.

• Game: Absolum
• Studio / publisher: Dotemu

Next week, another pick. If you have an indie you think fits this section, email me at contact@inlobby.gg.