Twenty hours into Absolum, I thought I’d seen everything the fantastical world of Talamh had to offer, only to discover an entirely new route on my 30th run. That delightful surprise motivated me to keep playing and poke around every single corner.
Ever since the 2018 release of Hades, a wave of games has tried to mimic its roguelike formula. Absolum is, by far, the most successful attempt I’ve seen, brilliantly combining the Hades-like with crunchy and satisfying beat ‘em up gameplay, then layering a fascinating fantasy setting on top. Despite taking clear inspiration from Hades, Absolum manages to carve out a distinct identity and crafts an entrancing adventure that keeps you hooked until the last second. It already feels destined to be a cult classic.
