Absolum is a fantastic brawler that stands out from recent games with its beautiful graphics, fluid character movements, and incredibly engaging combat. It keeps the action going strong from beginning to end.
Side-scrolling beat ’em ups are classic games that have remained popular over the years, and despite not having many new releases recently, there are still plenty of great titles available if you enjoyed Absolum.
Let’s explore some fantastic beat ’em up games that are so engaging, you’ll want to play them for a long time.
10. Rampage Knights
Bloody Fun Dungeon Madness
Rampage Knights might not look fancy, but it’s a surprisingly enjoyable action game with strong rogue-like features. Every time you play, the items, weapons, and spells are different, making each run unique and unpredictable.
What I love most about Rampage Knights is seeing your character visibly get stronger as you play through each dungeon. You’ll unlock some incredibly cool-looking gear, which makes even tough challenges feel achievable. Plus, the levels are really diverse – you’ll find classic dungeons alongside completely wild stages, like bullet-hell battles fought while riding unicorns!
This game is really funny, making even a simple story enjoyable and engaging. It’s a blast to play with friends, and if you like the quirky style of the Absolum universe, it’s definitely worth checking out.
9. Oblivion Override
Ninja Rogue-like Cyberpunk Action
| Developer | Humble Mill |
|---|---|
| Release Date | January 24th, 2024 |
| Platforms | PC |
Oblivion Override is a visually impressive Metroidvania game that blends challenging gameplay with rogue-like features. It stands out for its tough boss battles, diverse playable characters, and exceptional combat system – truly one of the best in the genre.
It’s a huge compliment to the best games in this style, but it still manages to feel fresh and original. The action is over-the-top and visually stunning, with constant explosions and effects, and the boss fights are among the most challenging and imaginative you’ll find.
The music really enhances the experience, featuring energetic rhythms that match the game’s mood perfectly. If you enjoyed the quick action of Absolum, Oblivion Override offers a similar, but slightly more intense, adventure that will deliver the same thrills.
8. Rogue Legacy
A Family of Legends
Rogue Legacy is a brilliantly designed game. It’s a challenging Metroidvania-style rogue-like where you play as a series of knights – when one dies, their heir continues the adventure. What makes it unique is that each new knight has a random trait, like vertigo or colorblindness, and some of these traits are more helpful than others – or aren’t helpful at all!
This game is incredibly challenging, and death is permanent. If you care about your character, you’ll need to be extremely careful in every fight. While some encounters are doable, a single unexpected attack – like a well-timed fireball – can instantly kill you.
Every time you play, the castle changes, ensuring a unique experience each run. If you want a fast-paced, vibrant action game that blends classic and modern elements, Rogue Legacy is an excellent option.
7. Dragon’s Crown
Hail to the King
Dragon’s Crown is a beautiful 2D action game, known for its vibrant colors, smooth animations, and striking art style. The combat is incredibly satisfying, and it’s surprisingly lengthy for the genre, offering over 15 hours of gameplay with a good level of difficulty.
The fighting feels a lot like a traditional fighting game, with surprisingly complex mechanics. Enemies are diverse and incredibly detailed, and the game’s environments are just as impressive.
This game features full cooperative play and a diverse cast of characters, each with a unique feel. It’s a challenging brawler, but the fast-paced action is reminiscent of Absolum, and it’s considered a classic title in the genre.
6. Castle Crashers
Hilarious Chaos
Castle Crashers is a fantastic game that I always love recommending. It’s a really fun fighting game where you and up to three friends can battle your way through a strange and funny world, and the combat is surprisingly well-done.
You’ll start by choosing from a variety of knights, each with unique magical powers. As you progress, you’ll unlock even more characters to play. The gameplay is reminiscent of Absolum, taking place in a side-scrolling world that offers a lot of room to explore and move around.
This game features demanding bosses and, despite its charming appearance, presents surprisingly difficult challenges. Careful resource management, particularly of the powerful sandwich item, is key to winning. Though brief, it’s considered one of the best beat ’em up games ever made.
5. Ember Knights
Cute and Cruel
Ember Knights looks cute and approachable, but don’t let that fool you! This rogue-like action game is surprisingly challenging. While the art style is kid-friendly, the gameplay is brutal – enemies are tough and can quickly deplete your health, putting you in constant danger.
Every time you play, you’ll unlock new skills and weapons, and get stronger. While the enemies and level layouts change with each playthrough, you’ll always face the same boss at the end of each area, giving you a clear goal even though the journey to get there is different every time.
Between levels, you can pick a permanent upgrade to help you along the way. Choosing the right one is important – extra health can keep you alive, but a stronger attack might be what you need to defeat the boss. It’s a great cooperative game and doesn’t get nearly enough recognition.
4. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons
A Shakeup to a Classic
Double Dragon is a well-known series where you and a partner fight your way through city streets, taking down enemies. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons keeps that core gameplay, but adds some elements from rogue-like games. This means things change with each playthrough – like what items are available in shops, the power-ups you find, and even the types of enemies you’ll face in each level.
You’re free to tackle missions in any order you like, and the game adapts based on your choices. This system ensures the difficulty stays balanced and keeps you engaged throughout the experience.
This game feels like both a fresh start and a continuation of the Absolum series, and its art style shows that. But beyond that, it’s a really solid beat ’em up with rogue-like features that keep the gameplay exciting and avoid frustrating obstacles. With lots of characters to unlock and full multiplayer support, it’s a must-have for any Absolum fan.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
That Old School Cool
If you spent your childhood in the ’90s playing arcade games like Ninja Turtles and X-Men, this game is for you! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge perfectly captures the spirit of those classic titles, offering a fantastic throwback experience.
This game is incredibly challenging but also very satisfying. It’s packed with secrets to discover, and you can enjoy it all with friends. The combat is fantastic, with each character offering a unique fighting style – and playing as Casey Jones is a real treat! The levels are also well-designed and diverse, ranging from city streets to fast-paced highway chases.
The game’s bosses are challenging, but you can adjust the settings to make them more manageable. It’s a fantastic homage to classic games, with action sequences as strong as those in Absolum. The levels also share a similar movement style, giving you plenty of room to explore despite being a side-scroller.
2. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game
The First Revival
The beat ’em up genre was struggling in 2010, but the release of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game gave it a major boost. It brought back everything fans loved about classic games – power-ups, a variety of characters to play as, and even affectionate nods to older video games.
If you’ve seen the movie, the game follows the same story: a journey through a made-up Canada to beat up the evil exes of Ramona Flowers. It’s already a pretty wild premise, and the game takes it even further with some incredibly strange enemies and level designs.
But above all, it’s really enjoyable! You can play with friends online or on the same couch, choosing from a range of characters. Each character offers a unique experience and ending, giving the game a lot of replay value, especially considering its type.
This game is a key title that revitalized the genre, and it’s essential playing for fans of Absolum.
1. Hades
The Rogue-Like Ruler of the Underworld
Hades is a truly groundbreaking game that has set a new standard for the action-roguelike genre. With its stunning art style and distinctive atmosphere, it’s the game that others in the genre are now judged against. You take on the role of the prince of the underworld, determined to escape his father’s realm, and you’ll find surprising help along the way as you battle through a challenging journey.
You’re meant to lose a lot when you first start playing. But don’t worry! Each time you’re defeated, you’ll return with improved gear and a better understanding of what to expect. It’s a two-way street, though – the bosses will also learn from your attempts and adapt accordingly.
This game is known for its incredibly fast and challenging combat, demanding you master your character’s skills. It’s easily one of the most difficult games in its class. You’ll unlock new fighting techniques and even gain godly powers, which drastically changes how the game plays. Plus, you can interact with a cast of gods, each with their own distinct personality and well-written dialogue, in the game’s central hub.
If you enjoyed Absolum, you absolutely need to check out the game that essentially defined the rogue-like action genre. It’s widely considered the best, and for good reason.
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2025-11-05 18:42