What it is
Absolum is a side-scrolling roguelite beat ’em up from the teams behind Streets of Rage 4, set in the hand-drawn fantasy world of Talamh. It combines arcade-style brawling with branching routes, character upgrades, randomised abilities and repeatable runs, making it closer to Hades in structure than a traditional, linear beat ’em up.
It first launched in the UK on 9 October 2025 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, followed by Xbox Series X|S on 25 March 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition arrived on 17 September 2026 with improved resolution, 60fps performance and local Gameshare support.
- UK release
- 9 October 2025; Switch 2 Edition on 17 September 2026
- Platforms
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2
- Developer
- Dotemu, Guard Crush Games and Supamonks
- Publisher
- Dotemu
- UK price
- £22.49 digital; £44.99 Switch 2 physical; original Switch and PS5 physical from £34.99
- PEGI
- PEGI 12
- Genre
- Roguelite beat ’em up; action, adventure, fighting and RPG
- Game Pass
- Yes — Xbox Series X|S, PC and cloud
- Online mode
- Yes — online co-op for up to 2 players, with cross-platform multiplayer
- Engine
- Guard Crush Engine
Story and setting
Talamh was shattered by a magical cataclysm caused by ambitious wizards. In the aftermath, ordinary people came to distrust magic, allowing Sun King Azra to seize power. His Crimson Order enslaved wizards and installed loyal princes to rule the conquered regions.
The rebellion is led by the high enchantress Uchawi and a small group of outcasts. You begin with Galandra, a sword-wielding warrior with necromantic powers, and Karl, the last free dwarf, who mixes bare-knuckle attacks with an ancestral blunderbuss. Cider, a fast-moving skirmisher searching for fragments of her soul, and Brome, a frog wizard trying to protect future generations, join the cause as the story progresses.
How it plays
Absolum keeps the fundamentals of a classic belt-scrolling brawler: move through compact arenas, juggle groups of enemies, grab or throw objects, and build long combos with light attacks, heavy strikes, specials and magic. Combat is deliberately readable rather than technical in the fighting-game sense, but timing still matters. You can dodge, clash with attacks or deflect incoming blows to leave enemies open to a punishing counter.
Each run follows branching routes through Talamh’s regions, with alternate paths, side objectives and unpredictable encounters encouraging you to revisit familiar areas. Defeat usually sends you back to the Hearth, where crystals and Radiance can be spent on permanent improvements. During a run, Rituals, Trinkets and Inspirations alter your attacks and statistics, allowing you to build around elemental effects, projectiles, throws or specific character abilities. The result is a game that rewards experimentation, although the early progression can feel deliberately repetitive and some runs depend heavily on the quality of your random upgrades.
Co-op, modes and post-launch updates
The full adventure supports one or two players, either locally or online. Online co-op is limited to two players, and cross-platform multiplayer was added on 12 May 2026, linking PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo versions. Nintendo Switch 2 also supports local Gameshare, while online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. On PlayStation, online play requires PlayStation Plus.
The free 1.1 Threads of Fate update added Mystic Ordeals, including preset challenges such as Boss Run, Horde Mode and Multiplayer Trials, plus the ability to create and share custom rule sets. It also introduced Corrupted Biomes, upgraded mounts, new skins and emotes, extra Soul Tree rewards and a new arena for Versus mode. Later patches added further balance changes, bug fixes, improved character abilities, a two-player version of the tutorial and a Quick Restart option.
Platforms, editions and UK price
Absolum is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The original Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 physical standard editions were listed at £34.99 in the UK, while the original Switch Special Edition was £59.99. Silver Lining Interactive’s Switch 2 physical edition is £44.99 and includes the full game on the cartridge.
The Nintendo eShop price for the digital game is £22.49, including the Switch 2 Edition. The Switch 2 version runs at 60fps with improved resolution over the original release and supports local Gameshare. On Steam, the recommended specification targets 1080p at 60fps, although PC performance will depend on the hardware used.
Reception and verdict
The critical response has been strongly positive, particularly for the combat, animation and way the roguelite structure gives a traditional beat ’em up room to grow. GameSpot awarded it 9/10, Nintendo Life gave the Switch version 9/10, Push Square scored the PS5 version 8/10 and PC Gamer awarded 83/100. The main reservations are that the story is fairly conventional, the opening hours can feel grindy and the endgame is less substantial than the central run-based campaign.
Absolum is a good fit if you enjoy precise arcade combat, short repeatable runs and co-op that remains useful after the first playthrough. It is less suitable if you want a large RPG, a fully linear adventure or extensive four-player multiplayer. For Switch 2 owners, the 60fps presentation and portable format make it a particularly natural home, while Xbox players can try it through Game Pass.
Not yet confirmed
- No specific UK release time for the Switch 2 Edition has been published; the confirmed date is 17 September 2026.
- No separate paid gameplay expansion has been announced in the publisher and developer updates checked.
Absolum: your questions
Is Absolum on Game Pass in the UK?
Yes. The Xbox Series X|S, PC and cloud versions joined Game Pass on 25 March 2026.
Does Absolum have online co-op?
Yes. The whole campaign supports online co-op for two players. Cross-platform multiplayer was added on 12 May 2026.
Is Absolum coming to Nintendo Switch 2?
It is already available. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition launched in the UK on 17 September 2026, with 60fps performance, improved resolution and local Gameshare.
How many characters are in Absolum?
There are four playable rebels: Galandra, Karl, Cider and Brome. The latter two join as you progress through the adventure.
Is Absolum on PlayStation Plus?
It is a paid PlayStation Store game, and online co-op requires PlayStation Plus. It is not listed as part of the PlayStation Plus game catalogue in the current information checked.
