DoubleMoose Games and The Arcade Crew’s Abyssus takes the roguelite FPS formula into uncharted waters—literally—blending tight, fast-paced gunplay with a richly atmospheric “brinepunk” world. Whether you’re diving solo or with up to three other Brinehunters, the game delivers a mix of intense combat, customization, and co-op synergy that’s both immediately engaging and deceptively deep.
Dive or Die
Set in a world where “brine” is the lifeblood of both civilization and weaponry, Abyssus casts you as a daring explorer tasked with claiming a massive brine deposit beneath the ruins of an ancient sunken kingdom. But the mission quickly shifts from resource gathering to desperate survival when corrupted denizens of the deep rise to destroy you.
The narrative is kept deliberately light during runs, but there’s a strong sense of mystery baked into the world—questions about the origin of brine, the nature of the gods granting your powers, and the strange technologies left behind by the sunken civilization. It’s enough to keep the mind engaged between firefights, without slowing down the action.
Roguelite Depth Meets FPS Speed
Abyssus plays like a hybrid of Doom Eternal, Roboquest, and Bioshock, with tight shooting mechanics and a constant sense of forward motion.
You start each run by choosing from one of three randomly offered classes (out of six), each with unique perks and skills. Then you customize your loadout from eight different weapons, further modifying them with 45 available weapon mods. As you progress, you’ll find upgrades, divine blessings, and crafting opportunities that can completely change your playstyle mid-run.
Runs are procedurally sequenced from 64 hand-crafted levels, keeping encounters fresh. Enemy types are varied—36 in total—ranging from aggressive melee swarmers to heavy, ranged guardians. Four big bosses punctuate the gauntlet, each demanding a different approach and a healthy supply of brine-powered ammo.
Brine, Bullets, and Godly Power
The weapon customization is a standout. A shotgun can be turned into a crowd-control monster with spread-enhancing mods and lightning blessings, or into a precision powerhouse that chunks elites. Guns feel weighty, responsive, and varied, from the satisfying bark of a revolver to the thundering roar of a brine-fueled minigun.
Combat is fast and aggressive, but also tactical—positioning, resource management, and synergy with your team are essential. Solo players will find the challenge rewarding, but Abyssus clearly shines in co-op, where combining builds can lead to truly devastating effects.
Progression – Rewarding Runs
Like most roguelites, you’ll die—a lot—but every run brings meta-progression. Unlock new weapons, mods, suits, and skills to improve your odds next time. The ramp-up feels fair: the game starts brutally difficult but becomes more manageable as you learn enemy patterns, weapon synergies, and efficient upgrade paths.
Runs rarely feel wasted, even if you fail early, because there’s almost always some form of currency or unlock waiting at the end.
Co-Op – Better Together
Co-op is where Abyssus truly shines. The game supports up to four players, with in-game voice chat and systems for sharing resources and reviving downed teammates. Coordination can make or break a run—deciding who focuses on crowd control, who handles boss damage, and who manages healing creates a natural team dynamic.
It’s also extremely easy to jump in with friends—Steam invites work smoothly, and the netcode holds up well even in chaotic firefights.
Brinepunk Atmosphere Done Right
The “brinepunk” aesthetic is more than a gimmick—it’s an identity. Levels are dark, moody, and claustrophobic, mixing pixel characters with 3D low-poly environments. The lighting is excellent, with shafts of bioluminescent glow cutting through the murk and the ominous silhouettes of predators lurking in the fog.
Enemy designs are memorable, blending deep-sea horror with fantastical elements. Boss introductions are cinematic, leaning into the game’s strong art direction. The soundtrack pulses with energy during combat, then fades to eerie tones in between fights, keeping tension high.
What Works Well
+ Weapon Variety & Customization: Every gun feels unique, and the mod system lets you radically alter its function.
+ Strong Co-Op Gameplay: Team synergy adds depth and replay value.
+ High Replayability: 64 handcrafted levels shuffled into new sequences keep runs fresh.
+ Satisfying Gunplay: Responsive shooting, impactful sound design, and diverse enemies.
+ Solid Meta-Progression: Persistent unlocks keep you invested after each death.
What Could Improve
– Limited Content (for now): Four bosses and a finite enemy roster mean experienced players might crave more variety after dozens of runs.
– Minor Technical Issues: Occasional bugs, like healing items not working properly, and odd chat filter quirks.
– Needs More Boss Variety: An alternative boss per stage would help keep late-game encounters fresh.
– Audio Tweaks: Some players want punchier sounds on certain weapons, particularly the shotgun.
Community Feedback Highlights
Players love the game’s blend of speed, strategy, and style, with many comparing it favorably to genre staples like Gunfire Reborn and Deep Rock Galactic. The difficulty curve earns praise for being challenging but fair, and the developers are noted for being active listeners in the community—already working on requested features like more secrets, elemental synergies, and expanded content.
Abyssus: Abyssus is a confident, stylish roguelite shooter that nails the fundamentals—tight combat, meaningful progression, and a unique setting. While there’s room for more content and polish, the core experience is already highly addictive, whether you’re diving alone or with a squad of friends. If you enjoy FPS roguelites and want something with personality, atmosphere, and mechanical depth, this is a must-play. And with more content promised post-launch, Abyssus has all the makings of a long-term favorite in the co-op shooter space. – Obsidian