Abyssus Hands on Preview – Depth Defying Action?
If you’re into fast-paced shooters and like the flexibility of playing solo or with friends, Abyssus by DoubleMoose Games might be worth keeping on your radar. We got the chance to preview an early build and explore what this underwater roguelite FPS adventure game has to offer.
Could this be one to dive into? Developed by DoubleMoose Games, Abyssus is about “fast-paced multiplayer shooting action. Fight through gorgeous hand-crafted levels in a roguelite adventure that will put your tactical skills to the ultimate test. Wield powerful brine-powered weapons and refit them with ancient technologies to gain an edge over your foes. Obtain divine blessings to enhance your firepower with elemental and mystic effects.”
Does it manage to pull its ambition off?
Straight to the Point
Abyssus wastes no time getting you into the thick of it. After a brief tutorial, you’re quickly thrown into combat — blasting enemies, tossing explosives, activating abilities, or swinging a hefty hammer. It’s a chaotic mix that feels a bit like DOOM (as mentioned in our previous Abyssus preview), but set in tight, dungeon-like corridors.
Combat is intense and satisfying, but not without its rough edges. Some enemy attacks have surprisingly long range or homing mechanics, so you’ll need to stay alert. Performance-wise, some issues need ironing out. Frame rates dropped to around 40–55 FPS during fights, even on a rig running an RTX 3080 on medium settings. That’s concerning and hopefully something the developers will address before launch. Movement and aiming can also feel sluggish. Not enough to ruin the experience, but enough to notice.
Runs in Abyssus are high-stakes. Falling off ledge’s chips away at your health, and healing options are limited. You get one potion per run, and while there’s a chance to recover some health through random drops, it’s not something you can rely on. This makes survival, especially in solo play, much more intense.
Clearing stages earns you loot like relics and blessings, which are essential for making progress. These upgrades can turn the tide in tough encounters, letting you deal more damage or survive longer as you descend deeper (each level essentially acting as its own stage).
Something to keep in mind with Abyssus is that failing in the expedition will end the entire run, so explore and proceed with that caution. As the deeper you go, the more challenging it gets.
Customize Your Deep-Sea Slayer
Want to stand out from your squad? Abyssus includes unlockable gear to change your character’s look and loadout. New weapons and cosmetic items are tied to specific challenges, and some of them won’t be easy. It’s a rewarding system, though, and adds an extra layer of motivation. If you’re struggling, co-op can make these objectives more manageable (and a lot more fun).
Stare into the Abyss and the Abyss Will Tear You to Pieces.
If you’re into fast-paced action, creative weapons, and teaming up with friends, Abyssus is absolutely worth keeping an eye on. It’s not quite finished yet, and there are a few rough spots that need some attention, but it shows a ton of promise even in its current state. With the developers clearly listening to feedback and an active community behind it, I really believe this could shape up to be one of the standout FPS titles of 2025. I’ve had a great time with it so far, and I’m genuinely excited to see where it goes.
Abyssus releases August 12 on PC.
Stay connected to MP1st and the latest news by following us on Bluesky, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Google News.
