Absolum

Absolum PC is a fantasy roguelite beat 'em up from Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, and Supamonks. The current Steam storefront still uses the name Absolum, with no verified rebrand or replacement PC edition. Its hook is clear: combine side-scrolling arcade brawling with branching runs, permanent progression, four distinct rebels, and optional two-player co-op in the world of Talamh.

Magic has become forbidden after a catastrophic misuse of power, allowing Sun King Azra and the Crimson Order to control the fractured land. The story follows a rebellion led by outcast heroes who fight through hostile regions, discover quests, and challenge the forces protecting Azra's rule.

Arcade combat with a roguelite structure

Absolum uses a 2D side-scrolling perspective built around crowd control, positioning, combo timing, and readable enemy pressure. The basic structure will feel familiar to players who grew up with fantasy arcade brawlers, but the game adds a run-based layer that changes how each attempt develops.

During a run, players move through branching pathways, clear combat encounters, meet characters, complete quests, and choose upgrades that shape the current build. Defeat ends the immediate attempt, but long-term progression continues through permanent warrior upgrades and unlockable content. That structure makes each failure useful without turning the game into a conventional level-based RPG.

The combat is designed around momentum. Light and heavy attacks, movement, aerial options, defensive actions, and character-specific abilities combine into short strings that can be extended when enemies are launched, grouped, or kept vulnerable. The strongest play comes from controlling the crowd rather than attacking one target in isolation.

Players who enjoy the cooperative rhythm of modern arcade brawlers can compare Absolum with character-driven side-scrolling beat 'em ups like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, although Absolum is more focused on repeated runs and build decisions than on a fixed campaign route.

Four rebels, four combat identities

The roster contains four playable rebels: Galandra, Karl, Cider, and Brome. Each has a different personality, motivation, and skill set, so choosing a character changes the way a run handles spacing, mobility, enemy groups, and boss encounters.

Galandra is a sword-wielding fighter, while Karl provides a heavier presence on the battlefield. Cider's moveset reflects a rogue-like fighting style built around high-flying attacks, handaxes, and an extendable arm. Brome uses a staff alongside melee attacks, ranged magic, area effects, levitation, and gliding movement.

These differences matter beyond cosmetic variety. A fast character can approach encounters differently from a durable one, while a fighter with ranged or area tools can manage enemy formations from another angle. Absolum rewards learning the strengths of each rebel instead of treating the roster as a selection of interchangeable skins.

Builds, routes, and repeat-run progression

Every run combines combat with build customization. Players select rewards and upgrades while moving through Talamh, creating temporary combinations that can make a character more aggressive, durable, mobile, or specialized around particular abilities.

The map's multiple paths give players control over risk and reward. One route may offer a useful upgrade or a quest, while another can lead toward a different encounter or a tougher challenge. The goal is not simply to memorize a linear sequence, but to make better decisions as the run develops.

Absolum's long-term loop includes quests, items, character progression, and permanent improvements. The result is closer to a roguelite action game with arcade combat than to a traditional beat 'em up with a single fixed campaign. Players who prefer a focused run-and-retry structure may also appreciate story-rich action roguelikes such as Hades II, though Absolum keeps its combat grounded in side-scrolling brawler design.

Threads of Fate and the current content model

Absolum is a premium PC game rather than a free-to-play service. The current package is built around the base adventure, its four heroes, run-based progression, cooperative play, and ongoing updates. No verified paid character season pass or paid expansion line is required to access its main systems.

The major Threads of Fate content update expands the endgame with Mystic Ordeals, including preset challenges such as Boss Run, Horde Mode, and Multiplayer Trials. Players can also create custom challenges and share them with others.

The update also adds Corrupted Biomes, optional high-risk areas that appear at the start of a run and offer improved rewards, along with upgraded mounts, new skins, and emote options for the four rebels. These additions deepen replayability without changing the central combat loop.

Solo play and cross-platform co-op

Absolum supports single-player and two-player cooperative play. Co-op is available through online multiplayer as well as shared or split-screen play, making the game suitable for both a private online session and local couch play.

Cross-platform multiplayer is now supported across PC and the available console versions. That is a useful distinction for players choosing the Steam edition with friends on other platforms, because the feature was not present in the initial PC multiplayer experience but has since been added.

Co-op changes the combat in practical ways. Players can divide enemy groups, extend pressure on bosses, combine different character roles, and recover from mistakes more effectively. Solo play remains viable, but the combat's crowd-control systems are especially natural when two players coordinate movement and attacks.

PC controls, languages, and platform features

The Steam version offers full controller support for Xbox and PlayStation controllers, and the developers recommend using a controller. A keyboard-only option is also listed, so players who prefer keyboard input are not forced into gamepad controls.

Steam lists Steam Cloud, Steam Achievements, Family Sharing, and Steam Deck compatibility. The store page also identifies a third-party EULA. No separate anti-cheat system or proprietary launcher is identified in the current storefront information, so the Steam client remains the relevant PC platform layer.

Localization covers 12 languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish from Spain, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Ukrainian. English includes full audio, while the other listed languages provide interface and subtitle support.

Absolum is also designed to be played without quick-time events, which keeps its combat focused on direct movement, timing, attacks, and defensive decisions. Steam lists the game as playable on Steam Deck, although a larger display and controller setup may be more comfortable for local co-op.

Who should play Absolum?

Absolum is a strong fit for players who want arcade-style melee combat with more progression and replay value than a strictly linear brawler. It suits fans of roguelites, fantasy action games, side-scrolling beat 'em ups, and cooperative games where learning enemy patterns matters.

It is less suitable for players who want a large open world, traditional party-based RPG systems, or a campaign that plays exactly the same way from one attempt to the next. The focus is on repeated runs, combat mastery, build choices, and gradual progression rather than exploration on a single permanent map.

Absolum FAQ

Is Absolum still the current PC name?

Yes. The current Steam listing uses Absolum, and there is no verified PC rebrand or replacement edition that players need to search for.

What type of game is Absolum?

It is a fantasy roguelite beat 'em up with a 2D side-scrolling view, branching routes, randomized run development, permanent upgrades, quests, and boss encounters.

Does Absolum support co-op on PC?

Yes. The PC version supports solo play, online co-op, and shared or split-screen co-op for two players. Cross-platform multiplayer is also available across PC and supported consoles.

How many playable characters are in Absolum?

There are four playable rebels: Galandra, Karl, Cider, and Brome. Each has a distinct skill set, personality, and combat identity.

Is Threads of Fate paid DLC?

Threads of Fate is a free content update that adds Mystic Ordeals, Corrupted Biomes, upgraded mounts, skins, emotes, and additional challenge-focused content.

Does Absolum support controllers on PC?

Yes. Steam lists full controller support for Xbox and PlayStation controllers, and the developers recommend playing with a controller. Keyboard-only play is also supported.

What languages are available in Absolum?

The PC version supports English, French, Italian, German, Spanish from Spain, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Ukrainian. English includes full audio, with interface and subtitles available across the supported language list.