For my money, Streets of Rage 4 is the best beat-em-up of the modern era – and honestly might give the retro classics that inspired it a run for their money. While one of the three studios involved in that project is now working on a gorgeous Shinobi revival, the other two are collaborating on an equally impressive original brawler called Absolum.
Dotemu and Guard Crush Games are partnering with French animation house Supamonks on what the devs are describing as a "rogue 'em up" in Absolum. This is a fantasy-themed take on the beat-em-up genre, with randomized elements adding more replayability including new items and upgrades to unlock for successive runs.
