Abyssus: A Rough, Rewarding Dive into the Abyss
Why the Depths Call
Abyssus throws you into a world that lures curiosity and boldness. The game’s architecture—chunky golems, winding traps, and a swarm of weapons—creates a “brine‑punk roguelike FPS” feel that derives inspiration from titles like Deep Rock Galactic, Dead Cells, and Risk of Rain. The blend is ambitious, but some of the distinctive flavors get diluted amid the generic spells of roguelike tropes.
Solo or Squad?
- Play solo or team up with up to four players.
- Group play often feels richer; an additional weapon on the battlefield can provide breathing space.
My inaugural run lasted about six minutes while I memorised controls and environmental cues. The second attempt was roughly 15 seconds longer, and the third hovered around the same length. Even short runs feel elongated because the game rewards persistence with subtle progress.
The Gameplay Grind
The first sections are forgiving; however the descent grows increasingly punishing as enemies multiply. One memorable task involved charging two beacons amid relentless spawns while also aiming to maintain distance from the beacon’s circles—a nuance I did not grasp until the most perilous moment.
Unlike standard tutorials, Abyssus keeps a low “hand‑holding” approach. Basic sections demonstrate weapon use and abilities, but deeper mechanics rely on player experiment. I only had ten health left in a challenging fragment, and one mis-timed dodge cost me the fight.
Progression and Perks
- Death yields a single perk; no Soul Fragments—essential item tokens—are recovered automatically.
- Weapon customization is available once skills are unlocked.
- The game includes a logbook that lists acquisition criteria for most items.
Game Design: Repetition Versus Variety
The early experience, while mellow, felt pleasantly extended. Yet the lack of distinct level themes leads to confusion: it was hard to distinguish whether I was retracing steps. Depth 1 and Depth 2 were nearly identical, featuring repeated sloping staircases surrounded by empty rooms. This duplication became the primary frustration during my playthrough.
Depths’ Fourth‑Floor Boss: A Group‑Play Necessity
The Depths feature four distinct levels, but the fourth floor stands out. That area houses the boss, a formidable foe that demands teamwork.
Solo Challenges
- Solo attempts become masochistic exercises.
- The boss’ shockwaves trap any player who fails to jump rope.
- Despite repeated jumps and pace tricks, the boss ends the fight before the third phase can begin.
In short, the game’s design encourages group play rather than single‑player exploits.
The good, the bad, the briny
b>Engine Rifle Overview
The Engine Rifle blends a steampunk machine gun with a diving bell silhouette. Its steady firing mode delivers a handful of seconds of sustained output before its 40‑ammo clip depletes, adequate for taking down the weakest adversaries. The secondary fire mode unleashes rapid‑fire lead, but temperatures climb quickly.
Complemented by a replenishing supply of grenades and a wrench that surprisingly inflicts more damage than most other weapons, this loadout serves newcomers well.
Camp Resurgence
After the first defeat you return to the camp, a staging area reminiscent of Deep Rock Galactic’s hub. The camp is bustling with activity:
- Search for eight glowing green Surge Fissures.
- Destroying a fissure unlocks a new outfit component, letting you transform your appearance.
Fissure Interaction
The game’s interface provides no explicit guidance, yet instinct urges action. I spot an unreachable green orb, so I shoot at it. The shot is successful. Previously I encountered a similar orb on a level I tried to reach, only to reel myself into water and drown. I presumed it was merely a light, but I actually Gatsby’d myself.
Customizing Your Weapon Loadout on the Workbench
At the start of a run, the workbench offers limited choices. Hidden to the side is a pistol that you can select over the primary rifle. Because you cannot carry both, you must decide which weapon to begin the run with. The pistol features a slight zoom, higher damage per shot, and a smaller clip, making it more suitable for quick, close‑range combat. In solo play, the Engine Rifle delivers better overall performance, so I chose that for my first run.
Strategic Buffs from Blessing Altars
Throughout the map, Blessing Altars provide temporary, run‑specific bonuses. Each altar grants a unique advantage that enhances your gameplay:
- Secondary Fire Enhancement – Extra damage to the secondary weapon, accompanied by a shield that grants 50 additional health for a short duration.
- Primary Fire Power‑up – Increased damage on the main weapon, triggering whirlwinds from enemies to inflict extra damage.
Interesting Visual Similarities
A notable observation is that Blessing Altars resemble Sheikah Monks from Breath of the Wild. While the similarity is visually striking, it has no impact on gameplay or strategy.
Abyssus Review
Permanent Upgrades
Once you gather Soul Fragments, the Soul Wheel allows you to apply lasting power‑ups to your character. These upgrades include a second Syringe—essential for surviving long runs—and increased damage.
Soul Fragments
- Rare items earned by defeating powerful enemies
- Rewarded for completing specific in‑game challenges
Healing Mechanics
After acquiring a few fragments, carrying a second syringe resolved my main issue: healing. In my experience, there is no other method to heal outside of the syringe. Once a level starts, the only alternative is finding a key, then buying a syringe from the merchant—an unsettling skeleton that I almost shot before realizing it wasn’t my target.
Overall Impression
Abysus is a fun FPS roguelike that stands out primarily for its setting. The “brinepunk” label intrigued me, but without that distinct moniker, the game does not feel remarkable in other aspects. It does, however, execute a proven formula in an engaging and familiar manner. Even though it may not be a game of the year, I can definitely see myself spending more time with Abyssus.
