Absolum on mobile, is it really the same version as on PC?

Fundamentally yes, but the interface has been completely rethought for touch. The four heroes, the difficulty, co-op and the soundtrack signed by Gareth Coker remain identical. What changes is the way you interact with the screen, far more designed for your fingers than for a makeshift virtual pad.

Can I use a Bluetooth controller on my phone?

Yes, external controllers remain fully compatible. Perfect if you feel the touch screen dilutes your gameplay — you keep your living room reflexes intact.

Does my PC progress transfer to Android?

On Android, yes, via Google Play Games and cross-progression. One account, one progression. You pay once and play everywhere without starting over. On iOS, it's standard cloud save between Apple devices.

Is it easy, a roguelite beat 'em up on mobile?

No. Absolum doesn't smooth out its difficulty for the format, unlike many ports. The real question is: does touch hold up against a pad for tight timing and combos? We'll find out on November 5th.

Absolum on mobile: what the port really changes

A year after its console and PC release, Absolum is broadening its horizons. Dotemu's roguelite beat 'em up is coming to iOS and Android, and it's not just a simple copy-paste of the PC version.

Playdigious, a well-known specialist in mobile ports, has redesigned the interface for touchscreens. In concrete terms, that means controls designed for the screen rather than a virtual pad slapped randomly onto it. This is often the point that makes the difference between a beat 'em up that's playable with your thumbs and a frustrating one on mobile, especially when the base game relies on combos and tight timing. External controllers remain compatible for those who prefer to keep their living-room reflexes.

On the progression side, the Android version benefits from cross-progression via the same Google Play Games account between mobile and PC: buy once, play anywhere, without starting from scratch on each platform. A cloud save also lets you carry your run over between iOS and Android. Game Center and Google Play Games achievements are also included for completionists.

At its core, nothing changes: still the four heroes with distinct styles, still online co-op for two, still the art direction signed by the team behind Streets of Rage 4 and the soundtrack by Gareth Coker. What changes is accessibility. A demanding roguelite migrating to mobile without giving up its difficulty is fairly rare - most ports smooth out the experience to fit the format. It remains to be seen whether touch controls hold up against a pad. See you on November 5th to find out.