“I’ve died more times than I can count”: This side-scrolling roguelike is an ID@Xbox triumph. Say hi to ‘Absolum,’ your new addiction.
Absolum is a roguelite beat ’em up that has become an ID@Xbox success story. The game combines arcade brawler mechanics with Hades-style run-based progression, offering players a compelling gameplay loop where death is part of the experience rather than a failure state. The game features hand-drawn fantasy art described as so visually striking it resembles a living storybook.
Available through Xbox Game Pass, Absolum makes the roguelite genre accessible to the subscription service’s player base. Its presence on Game Pass represents a significant achievement for ID@Xbox, Microsoft’s program supporting independent developers. The run-based progression system encourages repeated playthroughs with mechanical progression that carries over between deaths, following the formula popularized by games like Hades.
The critical appeal emphasizes how Absolum executes the roguelike respawn loop in a way that feels rewarding rather than punishing—a core challenge for the genre. The combination of engaging beat ’em up combat, distinctive hand-drawn visual presentation, and distribution through Game Pass positions Absolum as a standout title for Xbox and PC audiences seeking quality indie experiences.