Abyssus Co-op Shooter Launches to Positive Player Reviews on Steam

Deep Dive into Abyssus: A Co-op Shooter Emerges

The cooperative shooter Abyssus has recently launched on Steam, quickly gathering a wave of positive reviews from players. Developed by DoubleMoose Games, the title invites players into the mysterious depths of the ocean for a high-stakes mission.

Underwater Conflict for a Valuable Resource

In Abyssus, players and their allies venture into the abyss to secure deposits of a valuable substance known as 'brine.' This dangerous endeavor pits them against aggressive inhabitants of a sunken kingdom. The game supports both solo play and cooperative groups of up to four players, emphasizing the need for coordinated action to survive the treacherous environment.

To overcome the challenges, players must strategically select effective gear sets, unlock powerful skills, customize their suits, and apply various weapon modifications. DoubleMoose Games highlights that seamless teamwork is crucial for success in their title.

A Wealth of Content and Future Plans

The developers promise a substantial amount of content for players to explore, including 64 hand-crafted levels that offer diverse combat scenarios. The arsenal features 8 types of weapons, each with 45 unique modifications, allowing for extensive customization. Players will face a wide variety of foes, with 36 different enemy types and 4 challenging bosses awaiting them. Furthermore, DoubleMoose Games has committed to ongoing support for Abyssus through future updates, ensuring fresh content and continued refinement.

Player Reception: Highs and Lows

Upon its release, Abyssus has garnered a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam, with approximately 85% of early reviews being favorable. Players commend the game's fast-paced, high-energy gameplay and the rewarding progression system based on 'blessings' (abilities). Many found the in-game locations visually stunning, with enemies clearly distinguishable against the backgrounds. The enemy variety was also noted as interesting, though some players felt the early-level enemies became repetitive over time. The random nature of blessing drops added a layer of replayability, blending skill with a touch of luck, reminiscent of classic arena shooters.

However, player feedback also highlighted several areas for improvement. Some reviewers noted a lack of dynamic or energetic music during intense battles, often resorting to playing their own soundtracks. Technical issues at launch, such as crashes when trying to access the multiplayer browser, problems with jump platforms, and certain skill upgrades rendering abilities unusable, were reported. Additionally, one player mentioned a boss attack causing temporary sound loss. While some of these issues may have been addressed, they impacted the initial experience.

Content depth was another point of discussion, with some players feeling that the game's arsenal of weapons (around 6-7) and abilities (around 5) was insufficient. The overall game pace, characterized by extremely fast character movement and 'teleport-like' dashes, was described by some as "unnatural" or "ridiculous," despite recognizing its centrality to the gameplay. Monotony was also cited, with repeated playthroughs feeling too similar despite minor procedural variations. Finally, some players expressed a desire for more narrative depth, noting that while the game established a mysterious atmosphere, it left many questions unanswered.

Currently, Abyssus is available at 748 Russian Rubles, which includes a 15% discount valid until August 19th. Some players felt the current price point was a bit high for the content offered and suggested waiting for a deeper discount, perhaps 50-60% off, to consider it a better value.

What This Means for Players

Abyssus clearly delivers on its promise of an action-packed cooperative shooter experience, with its core gameplay loop and visual design receiving strong praise. However, its initial technical hiccups, perceived content limitations, and design choices regarding character speed suggest that while it's a fun game for a few evenings, its long-term appeal may depend on the promised updates. Players looking for an intense, fast-paced underwater shooter to enjoy with friends will likely find much to love, but should be aware of the areas where the game could still grow and improve.