Beat 'em up
Ongoing coverage on Beat 'em up.
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RETRO ROGUELITE BRAWLER MAD KING REDEMPTION ENTERS STEAM EARLY ACCESS TODAY
Indie developer Secret Mission Games has launched its debut title, Mad King Redemption, into Early Access on Steam, with a planned release for Epic Games Store and GOG. This 2.5D beat-em-up roguelite features classic side-scrolling combat, aggressive progression, and co-op gameplay. The game is available for $13.50 with a 10% launch discount.
Xbox Gets A Cartoon-Inspired Brawler – Underling Uprising
Underling Uprising, a cartoon-inspired beat 'em up developed by Dummy Dojo and published by Abylight Studios, is now available on Xbox Series X|S. The game features a vibrant art style, combo-based combat, and local co-op for up to four players.
Kings Do Not Fall – Coming Soon on Epic Games Store!
HyperDevbox announced that "Kings Do Not Fall," a retro-inspired beat 'em up, will be released soon on the Epic Games Store and Steam. The game features classic 90s arcade action with six levels, varied enemies, and modern combat enhancements. Founder Carlo Perconti highlighted the contributions of artist Jonathan Leyton and voice actor Ameen Taher.
Absolum's Latest Patch Sees Full Cross-Play Support Join The Fight
The fantasy roguelike Absolum has received a new update that fully implements cross-play multiplayer support across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. This feature allows players on different platforms to team up and play together. The update comes seven months after the game's initial launch and follows a free content update and news of a physical Switch edition.
Viral Rhythm Brawler Dead as Disco Tops The Charts - Climbs to 96% Overwhelmingly Positive, Sells Over 200K Copies in Less Than a Week
Brain Jar Games announced that its rhythm brawler Dead As Disco has sold over 200,000 copies in its first week of Early Access launch, achieving a 96% "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam. The studio also unveiled an Early Access roadmap detailing content updates planned throughout 2026, with a full 1.0 launch targeted for 2027.
Excellent Co-Op Brawler Absolum Now Has Full Cross-Play Support Across All Platforms
The co-op beat 'em up Absolum has received a significant update adding full cross-play support across all platforms, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This update aims to expand the player base for the game, which already supports local and online co-op for up to two players. Developer Guard Crush Games has also previously added new game modes and improvements post-launch.
Absolum has just received cross-play support
Publisher Dotemu announced that Absolum has received full cross-play support, allowing players on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox to play together. The update, developed by Guard Crush, was implemented to bring the community together in the multiplayer co-op Beat 'em Up.
Underling Uprising Review
Underling Uprising is a beat 'em up that captures a 90s Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic with a roster of inventive characters and split-screen co-op for up to four players. While the combat is simple and effective, the game suffers from significant input lag and framerate drops, particularly in solo play. Despite these technical issues, the game offers a fun, chaotic party brawler experience, especially with friends, though post-launch patches are needed to address its performance problems.
Dead As Disco Items/Collectables Guide - Dex, Arora & Co.
This guide for Dead As Disco details the locations of all progression items needed for characters Dex, Prophet, Hemlock, and Arora. The game is a rhythm-focused beat 'em up praised on Steam for its gameplay.
Turns out you yearn for the return of PC Gamer's two favourite genres just as much as we do
A PC Gamer poll revealed that Real-time Strategy and Immersive Sims are the most desired comeback genres among players. Other popular choices included MMOs and point-and-click adventures, indicating a strong nostalgia for '90s and 2000s PC gaming staples. Despite past hopes, the RTS genre has struggled to regain its former glory, while immersive sims remain a niche but beloved category.
Dead as Disco Early Access Review – Real Groove
Dead as Disco is a Free Flow combat-style beat 'em up that blends rhythm game mechanics with traditional brawler combat. Players control Charlie Disco, who uses Beat Kune Do to fight his former bandmates and uncover the mystery of his own murder. The game features a stylish presentation, a unique combat system that rewards timing to the beat, and a variety of modes including Infinite Disco and customizable music integration. It is launching on Steam Early Access on May 5th for PC.
Delicious VR magical girl brawler Crêpe Master! Is out now on Meta Quest 3!
The VR magical girl brawler Crêpe Master! is now available on Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S. Developed by Hallucinations Studio, the game puts players in the role of Hana, a magical girl who uses a Sacred Pan and poses to defend Earth from an alien invasion.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF BEAT EM’ UPS RETURNS ON MAY 14TH AS SECRET MISSION GAMES BRINGS MAD KING REDEMPTION TO EARLY ACCESS
Secret Mission Games announced that its debut title, Mad King Redemption, will launch into Early Access on May 14th for PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store for $14.99 USD. The beat 'em up game features four playable characters, two biomes, boss fights, and roguelite progression with local and online co-op.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF BEAT EM’ UPS RETURNS ON MAY 14TH AS SECRET MISSION GAMES BRINGS MAD KING REDEMPTION TO EARLY ACCESS
Secret Mission Games announced that its debut title, Mad King Redemption, will launch into Steam Early Access on May 14th for $14.99 USD. Inspired by classic beat 'em ups like Golden Axe and Final Fight, the game features modern updates such as roguelite progression and both local and online co-op gameplay. The studio, comprised of industry veterans, is self-funded and seeking investment partners.
This Beat-'Em-Up Wants You To Fight Like Batman And Move Like A Rock Star
Dead as Disco, a spiritual successor to Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham series, is now available in early access. The game combines rhythm-driven combat with a rock star protagonist seeking revenge. Players can fight to the beat of licensed tracks or upload their own music.
Stranger Than Heaven sure looks like a Yakuza series prequel in its first 30-minute deep dive, oh and Snoop Dogg is here
RGG Studio has revealed Stranger Than Heaven, an action game that appears to be a prequel to the Yakuza series. Executive director Masayoshi Yokoyama showcased the game, which spans five cities across five decades and features a more brutal combat system with a focus on weapons. The game is set to launch in Winter 2026.
Dead as Disco is out in early access to fill the Hi-Fi Rush and, weirdly, Batman: Arkham series shaped hole in your heart
Dead as Disco, an action rhythm game developed by Brain Jar Games, has been released in early access on PC. The game features combat that requires players to time their attacks to the background music, drawing comparisons to both Hi-Fi Rush and the Batman: Arkham series. It also includes an editor for players to map their own music.
Dead As Disco Is Out Now! - Viral Rhythm Brawler Launches Into Early Access
The rhythm-driven beat 'em up Dead As Disco has launched into Early Access on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Developed by Brain Jar Games, the game features music-synced combat, a neon-drenched world, and a soundtrack with over 30 songs. It is available at a discounted price of $19.99 for a limited time.
I got to play Dead as Disco early, and it's a vivid, unrestrained romp that lets you brawl through music videos…
Dead as Disco is a vibrant rhythm action beat 'em up that blends brawling with music video aesthetics, similar to Hi-Fi Rush. Players control Charlie Disco, who must reassemble his fractured band and fight through stylized levels to the beat of original music. The game features impressive visuals inspired by comic books and Max Headroom, with dynamic boss fights and a promising story about fame, though some early access wrinkles are still present.
PS5 Port of 2017 PS4 Action Game Possibly Leaked
A PlayStation 5 port for the 2017 PlayStation 4 game Gang Beasts may be in development, as indicated by a recent ESRB rating. Developed by Boneloaf and originally published by Double Fine, Gang Beasts is a multiplayer party game known for its slapstick combat. It is currently playable on PS5 via backwards compatibility, and a native port could potentially offer a free upgrade to existing owners.
