For several years now, enthusiasts of roguelike games have been spoiled for choice. Titles such as Hades, Vampire Survivors, Balatro, Blue Prince, and numerous others in this category have flooded the market. It’s become challenging for even a standout game to shine among so many excellent options. This is where Abyssus comes into play. After spending about 45 minutes with it, there appears to be potential for greatness, yet it remains uncertain whether it has the unique elements required to reach the top tier of the genre.
Abyssus, created by DoubleMoose Games and distributed by Dotemu’s independent label The Arcade Crew, is a first-person shooter roguelike that can be played cooperatively or solo. Drawing inspiration from games like Risk of Rain, Deep Rock Galactic, Hades, and Vampire Survivors, this speedy shooter invites players to a world driven by brine, where they must delve into the depths of an ancient submerged kingdom to acquire a vast reserve of the substance. However, these “brinepunk” explorers soon find that the ruins are teeming with hostile waves of enemies intent on thwarting their progress.
In essence, while the narrative in the game Abyssus provides background and context for the player’s actions and the world they inhabit, it is not the primary reason for players’ engagement. Instead, it’s the gameplay that captivates them. The story is conveyed through brief journal entries scattered throughout the game, but these can sometimes be easy to overlook. However, these stories serve as a framework for understanding the players’ objectives, such as exploring ancient ruins, gaining powers, and uncovering the history of the submerged kingdom.
The core gameplay appears to be heavily influenced by id Software’s modern versions of DOOM. While the Brine Revolver allows for aiming down sights (ADS), the Shotgun and Engine Rifle prefer a fast-paced run-and-gun style, with a secondary firing mode linked to the usual ADS key. Additionally, it includes a double jump and dash as standard moves, making it lean more towards a “boomer” shooter game. Furthermore, each arena’s design encourages continuous movement, much like DOOM.
The rapid-fire and hectic gameplay of
As a gamer, I find the initial encounters quite manageable from the start, but there’s a noticeable spike in difficulty that caught me off guard. I became overconfident and didn’t anticipate a new creature I hadn’t seen before, which dealt a significant blow to my health. The final boss battle at the end of this run was no walk in the park; it was a formidable opponent, mostly because I wasn’t paying enough attention to the battlefield. Losing that run so quickly was disappointing, but I can’t wait to jump back in for another try and hopefully get a rematch with that encounter.
In that particular run, you’ll encounter structures known as Blessing Altars. These altars bestow players with special abilities, or enhancements linked to a weapon’s main or secondary firing mechanism, and the active ability too. The blessings vary from one run to another, along with the level designs and enemy placements, ensuring each playthrough remains unique. These enhancements could be Wind damage, which inflicts area damage, or Fire damage, which amplifies a weapon’s overall power.
Although my gameplay with Abyssus has been limited thus far, I haven’t had the opportunity to test if non-functional character builds can exist or explore the long-term benefits from the Soul Wheel upgrades available at camp. However, I must say that the Blessing system is quite appealing because each upgrade seems to significantly impact gameplay, even in the short term. I was running a Wind, Fire, and Blood build, and despite some minor incongruities, their abilities were effective during combat. I’m eager to discover if there are those “lightbulb” moments that come with specific builds, similar to what one might experience in games like Vampire Survivors or Balatro.
Without a doubt, the core element that makes a roguelike stand out is its gameplay cycle. If, within the initial gaming hours, you don’t find yourself yearning for more after each run, then it might not be particularly captivating. Although I didn’t entirely immerse myself in the loop during my playtime with Abyssus, I can confirm that it did spark my curiosity for more. While it may not be entirely innovative at this stage, its enjoyable gameplay and intriguing mechanics have kept me hooked. I eagerly anticipate witnessing how DoubleMoose Games’ Abyssus evolves when it officially launches on August 12th.
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2025-08-04 19:46