Why You Should Play: Absolum
As 2025 wraps up, I’ve been thinking a lot about the games that have stuck with me from a year filled with trying out dozens of excellent releases. Absolum is one that keeps coming back to mind, pulling me to boot it back up and play just one more run.
As the year comes to a close, we’re highlighting some personal favorite games from our team that we feel you shouldn’t miss. If you’re still looking for the right game to carry you into 2026, and you’ve already hit up our Top 10 Best, we’re hoping one of these recommendations will hit the mark.
Absolum harkens back to early great fantasy beat ‘em ups, but thinking of it as a retro throwback is a misunderstanding of the game’s strength. The melee-focused battles are precise and rewarding, with each of the playable characters featuring small distinctions that grow in depth as you play more. Each run, borrowing from great titles like Hades, your character develops a short-term build focused on a particular mix of powers, and even after dozens of runs, you’ll be constantly finding new favorite power combos.
The storytelling is a continuous narrative that accounts for your character’s death and return, and individual pathways through the game’s many varied biomes further enhance replayability; maybe last time you delved far beneath the dwarven mountain, but this time you chart a path through the burning village, and head on to the ruined city of the ancient elves.
The visuals are a delight, recalling a cartoon aesthetic of exaggerated bodies and faces alongside vibrant environments and flashy magic effects. Likewise, the musical score is a consistent high point, with catchy melodies that aptly capture the fantasy adventure vibe.
The other thing I love about Absolum is how great the game is when played solo, even while it can be enjoyed equally by partnering with a friend, either on the couch next to you, or connected to online. The addition of another player only adds to the onscreen chaos and fun.
Absolum arrived during a busy season of game releases, but if you want a satisfying fantasy adventure, some great world-building, and a surprisingly deep but approachable combat system to master, it’s one well worth tracking down.
