Absolum launched earlier this month to strong reviews from players and critics alike, thanks to its compelling blend of traditional beat-’em-up action with the replayability and unpredictability of roguelikes and its striking dark fantasy graphic novel art style. While it originally launched as a digital-only title on PCs and consoles, it’s now getting a physical release on PS5 and Switch. The PS5 version is already available, while the Switch version releases on October 24. Both are available for $40 at Amazon, which appears to be one of the few retailers to still have the Absolum physical edition in stock–so grab this one while you can.
$40
The physical version of Absolum includes the base game plus a digital soundtrack by composer Gareth Coker.
As mentioned above, the physical edition has sold out at most retailers, including GameStop and Walmart. PS5 copies are still available at Amazon, however, and preorders are still open for the Switch version ahead of its October 24 release.
While the PS5 and Switch are the only physical editions of Absolum, it’s also available digitally on PS5, Switch, Xbox, and PC. PC players can save a few dollars by grabbing Absolum at Fanatical, where it’s on sale for $19.49 (was $25). This gets you an official Steam key for the game. Fanatical is also running its Scream Sale right now, so you’ll also get a free game for spending over $15.
If you’re unfamiliar with Absolum, the game mixes side-scrolling beat-’em-up gameplay with action RPG elements and a rouglite structure, and presents it all in a flashy graphic novel art style. The closest comparison is Vanillaware’s Dragon’s Crown, or the roguelike mode in Streets of Rage 4–which makes sense, considering Absolum was made by Guard Crush Games, which worked on Streets of Rage 4 alongside Lizard Cube.
Our Absolum review awarded the game an impressive 9/10, noting its fantastic fluid combat, compelling gameplay loop, and eye-catching visuals. “By tapping into a primordial part of gaming history, Absolum has created something that feels revelatory,” wrote critic Steve Watts. “The beat-’em-up genre feels changed, now, and I don’t know if there’s any going back.”
If you’re looking to add more modern beat-’em-ups and side-scrolling action games to your collection, you can also grab Guard Crush Games’ previous work with the physical edition of Streets of Rage 4. As stated earlier, the game was developed by Guard Crush Games and Lizard Cube, and published by DotEmu, who has been leading the charge with the recent beat-’em-up renaissance. You can pick up the Switch version for $31 at Amazon (was $40).
DotEmu also recently published Lizard Cube’s Shinobi: Art of Vengeance earlier this year. Like Streets of Rage 4, it resurrects the long-dormant 2D sidescrolling side of the Shinobi series. Our review awarded it a 9/10, as its beautiful art style does wonders to bring its world to life and its combat is fast and fluid without lacking depth. It’s discounted at Fanatical to just $21.59 (was $30), and it’s an easy recommendation at this new price.
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