Introduction
Absolum is a fast-paced roguelite beat ’em up that launched on October 9, 2025, blending classic side-scrolling combat with replayable runs and magical abilities. Set in the shattered world of Talamh, you fight as rebel heroes against the tyrannical Sun King Azra to restore forbidden magic. This Absolum survival guide will help you master every hero, conquer all bosses, and uncover hidden realms in just 7 days.
Getting Started: Your First Steps in Talamh
Absolum throws you into a fantasy realm ravaged by a magical cataclysm. Ambitious wizards caused the mess, leading to widespread distrust of magic. Enter Sun King Azra, who capitalized on the fear by enslaving wizards through his Crimson Order and installing puppet princes across conquered lands. You play as outcast rebels, led by the high enchantress Uchawi, fighting back with forbidden magic. The goal? Overthrow Azra and restore balance.
Understanding the Core Gameplay Mechanics
At its heart, Absolum is a side-scrolling beat ’em up with roguelite twists. Each run starts fresh, but you unlock permanent upgrades, heroes, and abilities over time. Expect branching paths, random encounters, and a mix of combat, exploration, and quests. Combat feels snappy punch, kick, and unleash magical arcanas to combo enemies into oblivion. Death isn’t the end; it sends you back to the hub for upgrades, keeping things addictive.
Basic Controls and Combat Tips for Beginners
If you’re new, master the basics first. On PC, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch, movement is straightforward: use the left stick or arrow keys to navigate, square/X for light attacks, triangle/Y for heavy hits, and circle/B for dodges. Special arcanas (magic abilities) charge up during fights unleash them with R1/RB for crowd control.
Pro tip: Don’t button-mash. Time your attacks to juggle foes and build combos. Early runs? Focus on dodging Azra’s grunts and collecting essence (the currency for upgrades). Aim to survive your first full run in Day 1 to unlock the hub’s full potential. Players report dying a lot initially, but persistence pays off.
Building Your First Loadout
Start with default gear, but scavenge weapons and relics during runs. Relics boost stats like health or damage, while weapons add flair (swords for speed, hammers for power). Experiment in the demo if you haven’t it’s still available on Steam for practice.
Unlocking and Mastering All Heroes
Absolum shines with its four unique heroes, each with distinct playstyles, personalities, and arcanas. Unlocking them adds replayability, as you’ll need to switch for different challenges or co-op synergy.
Hero Profiles: Who to Pick and Why
- Galandra the Shadow Warrior: A former knight from Yeldrim, she’s all about grim determination and vengeance. Her arcanas focus on shadow strikes and area denial perfect for aggressive players. Unlock her by completing an early quest in the shadowed forests.
- Cider the Rebuilt Rebel: Mysteriously revived by a puppeteer, Cider brings mechanical flair with gadget-based attacks. Great for tech-savvy runs,was unlocked after a mid-game revival event.
- Uchawi the High Enchantress: As the rebel leader, she’s magic-heavy with spell-casting arcanas for crowd control and healing. Ideal for support in co-op or solo survival. Start with her unlocked, but level her up for advanced spells.
- Fourth Hero (Spoiler-Free: The Rogue Avenger): This elusive character emphasizes stealth and quick strikes. Unlock by discovering hidden paths in later realms—think agility over brute force.
How to Unlock Every Hero Quickly
To dominate in 7 days, prioritize unlocks. Day 1-2: Focus on Uchawi runs to grind essence. By Day 3, tackle side quests for Galandra. Cider comes around Day 4-5 via story progression. The fourth? Hunt secrets by Day 6. Each hero has unique motivations tied to Talamh’s lore, making switches feel fresh.
Hero Builds: Optimal Arcanas and Upgrades
For Galandra, stack shadow relics for infinite combos. Cider thrives with tech upgrades for burst damage. Mix and match in co-op—Uchawi heals while others DPS. Permanent upgrades at the hub (like increased health) apply to all, so invest wisely.
Conquering Bosses: Strategies for Every Fight
Bosses are Absolum’s highlight, with 28 total including secrets. They range from elite minions to epic guardians, each with patterns to learn.
Main Story Bosses and Walkthrough Tips
Your first major boss might be a Crimson Order prince dodge his charged attacks and counter with arcanas. Mid-game, face enchanted beasts in branching realms. For the final confrontation with Sun King Azra, build magic resistance.
Elite and Mini-Boss Tactics
Elites appear randomly; use environment hazards like pitfalls to cheese them. For example, lure them near edges for easy knockouts. Strategies emphasize pattern recognition watch for telegraphs!
Secret Bosses: Locations and Requirements
Hidden bosses like Alberich the Winged Doom lurk in optional paths. To find him, take the upper stairs in a locked area keys from side quests. There are 28 bosses total, including dragons and true endings. For the secret final boss (Absolum himself), complete a standard run first, then fulfill criteria like collecting all artifacts.
Exploring Hidden Realms and Secrets
Talamh is packed with branching pathways and secrets for max replayability. Uncover quests, upgrades, and lore Easter eggs.
Finding Hidden Realms: Map and Location Guide
Realms like shadowed Yeldrim or enchanted ruins unlock via choices. Use maps from hubs or community shares—top paths often lead to secrets. Pro tip: Replay runs with different heroes to access hero-specific doors.
Side Quests and Easter Eggs
Complete 28 side quests for rewards like new arcanas. Secrets include dragon fights and true endings hunt them by Day 7 for 100% completion.
Advanced Exploration Tips
Scan for glowing interactables. Co-op makes exploration easier split up for efficiency.
Co-op and Multiplayer Mastery
Absolum supports local and online co-op, turning solo chaos into team triumphs.
Setting Up Co-op Runs
Invite friends via platform menus. Mix heroes for synergy Galandra tanks, Uchawi supports.
Co-op Strategies for Bosses and Realms
In co-op, coordinate arcanas for combo supers. It’s perfect for hidden realms, where one scouts while others fight.
7-Day Domination Plan: From Newbie to Pro
- Day 1-2: Learn basics, unlock first hero.
- Day 3-4: Grind bosses, collect relics.
- Day 5-6: Hunt secrets, try co-op.
- Day 7: True ending run.
Final Thoughts: Why Absolum is a Must-Play
Absolum isn’t just a game it’s a journey of vengeance and magic in a beautifully animated world. With its roguelite depth and beat ’em up action, it’s no wonder it hit 200k sales fast. Keep experimenting, share your runs, and remember: every death teaches something. Happy adventuring in Talamh see you at the true ending!