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Abyss Odyssey

Abyss Odyssey brings together four great genres into a cohesive 2D side scrolling adventure that will keep your interest and bring you back over and over.
Abyss Odyssey Game Cover
62%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
stability, grinding
62% User Score Based on 1,534 reviews
Critic Score 63%Based on 16 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Xbox 360PCPlaystation 4XboxWindowsPlayStation
Abyss Odyssey Game Cover

About

Abyss Odyssey is a single player and multiplayer platformer game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by ACE Team and was released on July 15, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Abyss Odyssey" is a side-scrolling action adventure game with procedurally generated levels and a complex fighting system. The game features three playable characters, each with unique abilities, and the ability to possess enemies. The goal is to reach the bottom of the abyss and defeat the great evil awaiting there. With ever-changing levels and technical, challenging combat, "Abyss Odyssey" offers a fresh and difficult experience.

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62%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,534 reviews
gameplay122 positive mentions
stability49 negative mentions

  • Beautiful art style and unique character designs that draw from Chilean mythology.
  • Deep combat mechanics that allow for combos, special moves, and the ability to capture and play as enemies.
  • High replayability due to procedurally generated levels and multiple characters with different playstyles.
  • Clunky and unresponsive controls that can frustrate players, especially during combat and platforming.
  • Difficulty spikes can feel unfair, with enemies often overwhelming players in groups.
  • Limited inventory management and the loss of items upon death can detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay
    526 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Abyss Odyssey" is a polarizing mix of fighting game mechanics and roguelike elements, featuring a unique soul-capturing system that allows players to inhabit defeated enemies. While some players appreciate the depth and variety this brings, others find the controls clunky and the combat frustrating, leading to a repetitive experience. Overall, the game offers an intriguing blend of genres, but its execution leaves many players feeling that the gameplay lacks polish and clarity.

    • “This system adds tremendous variety to the gameplay, allowing experimentation with different combat styles and strategies.”
    • “The possession mechanic - allowing you to inhabit the bodies of vanquished enemies - is a stroke of inspired design, injecting variety and tactical experimentation.”
    • “The gameplay is where Abyss Odyssey becomes most experimental—and, for some players, most divisive.”
    • “However, balancing issues occasionally undermine the mechanic; not all forms are equally viable, and switching between them can feel disorienting.”
    • “The main problem with this game is the gameplay.”
  • graphics
    443 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of *Abyss Odyssey* are widely praised for their unique and beautiful art style, heavily influenced by art nouveau, which creates a visually striking experience that many players find captivating. However, some critiques highlight that the aging graphics do not hold up well at modern resolutions, and there are inconsistencies in the visual quality, particularly between hand-drawn elements and in-game graphics. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is a significant draw, the game's graphical performance and optimization issues detract from the experience for some players.

    • “Ace Team’s commitment to visual and tonal uniqueness sets Abyss Odyssey apart from nearly every other platforming or roguelike title of its time, making it a deeply aesthetic experience that lingers in memory long after play sessions end.”
    • “The art direction, with its oil-painting textures and phantasmagoric enemy designs, is without question the game’s crowning achievement - an aesthetic tour de force that evokes both myth and madness.”
    • “The graphics are really good with very vibrant colors; even the more somber colors have a sort of vibrance to them which just makes you want to stop and look at it.”
    • “Glitchy, weird flow and physics, stiff controls, rough graphics, it's just not very good.”
    • “The graphics are pretty awful for the Unreal Engine in 2014 - I've definitely seen better.”
    • “The visuals are extremely dark, the controls feel unresponsive and clunky, moving isn't natural.”
  • music
    273 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively complementing the art direction and enhancing the overall experience. Many reviewers noted the soundtrack's ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of classic titles like Castlevania, with varied themes that suit the game's environments well. While some found the music to be excellent and a highlight of the game, others felt it could become repetitive, yet overall, it remains a strong point that contributes significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.

    • “The art direction is complemented by a haunting soundtrack that fuses classical melodies with eerie ambient tones, reinforcing the dreamlike quality that pervades the game.”
    • “The music is excellent, sometimes reminding me of Castlevania; it creates a good atmosphere for the levels and characters.”
    • “Beautiful artwork and music immerse you into the game world as you descend into the abyss to find and defeat the warlock.”
    • “The music is mostly forgettable.”
    • “The soundtrack is... not that great.”
    • “The music gets repetitive with only 5-6 tracks or so (one track for each environment/element).”
  • story
    269 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Abyss Odyssey" is a mixed bag, with some players finding it intriguing and rich in Chilean mythology, while others criticize it for being thin and poorly integrated into the gameplay. Many reviews highlight the unique premise involving a warlock's dreams manifesting as monsters, but note that the narrative is often conveyed through sparse journal entries rather than engaging dialogue. Overall, while the art and atmosphere are praised, the story's depth and coherence leave much to be desired, making it feel secondary to the gameplay experience.

    • “The story is interesting too; we're basically in a warlock's dream trying to fight our way to wake him up or something.”
    • “The story unfolds succinctly and is of interest without being too laborious or text-heavy.”
    • “The art style is unique, the setting and story are for sure as well.”
    • “The story is not that compelling and the controls feel frustrating to the max. The character feels sluggish and sometimes jumping makes you go ????.”
    • “The story sounds decent at first, but when coupled with soldiers with the IQ of a malfunctioning toaster, and combat that is the equivalent of 'Dreamfall: The Longest Journey' in terms of quality, it kinda gets lost by the wayside.”
    • “The story is very poor so far, almost nonexistent.”
  • replayability
    87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is generally praised, with many reviewers highlighting the variety offered by randomly generated levels, multiple playable characters, and unique playstyles. While some players find the gameplay can become repetitive after mastering the content, the overall consensus is that the game provides a high level of replay value, especially for those who enjoy experimentation and challenge. However, a few critiques mention that the game's short length and simplistic mechanics may limit long-term engagement.

    • “This feature adds a significant layer of variety and replayability, allowing players to experiment with different playstyles.”
    • “The game structure is another of the features that caught my attention: on each playthrough, the player has the opportunity to play randomly generated rooms with different difficulty levels, to play special rooms, to play with different characters, to play against an assortment of enemies and to choose and upgrade your equipment, adding to replayability and longevity.”
    • “Each enemy has a pretty distinct moveset and while some are clearly better than others, each enemy has their own style and this gives a ton of replay value for the game.”
    • “However, I think due to the nature of how the player will eventually snowball because of the permanent leveling system, this game has less replayability than most rogue-likes simply because eventually it will get too easy.”
    • “Due to how short this game is and how there is not much replay value because once you beat it with two different characters there is just no drive for me to even keep playing.”
    • “The other problem is that once you beat it, there is not very much replay value.”
  • atmosphere
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Abyss Odyssey" is widely praised for its unique blend of dark fantasy, surreal visuals, and captivating music, creating an immersive experience that draws players into its imaginative world. Reviewers highlight the game's beautiful graphics and eerie soundtracks, which enhance the overall mood and contribute to its nostalgic and dreamlike quality. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the game's atmospheric design and lore are consistently noted as standout features that keep players returning for more.

    • “From its very first moments, Abyss Odyssey immerses the player in its distinctive atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is beautiful, and truly dreamlike, and the audio is amazing.”
    • “The atmosphere has this very dark fantasy occult vibe that is very surreal, fitting of the dream/nightmare motif.”
    • “If you enjoy games that have a dark yet almost serene atmosphere about them, I would say this is definitely one to pick up. The game does a great job with its varying environment types within the abyss, and the subtle musical accompaniments contribute to that package.”
    • “The atmosphere is odd and mysterious.”
  • stability
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and control issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Players have noted problems such as sluggish controls, freezing during gameplay, and severe issues in online co-op modes, leading to frustration and immersion-breaking moments. While the game has potential and offers enjoyable gameplay, its current state is marred by instability and technical flaws.

    • “If the old 2D Game Boy Tomb Raider (the good one) and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night had a child, it would be this game. It looks awesome, runs great, controls well too, and is just plain cool all around. If you like platformer games and games full of neat stylized 'eye candy,' then you'll probably like this.”
    • “Visually stunning with surprising voice acting, but as buggy as a swamp in summer.”
    • “The game is awesome, but when it comes to online co-op play, the game should be called 'Glitch Odyssey in the Abyss'. It introduces game-breaking glitches when playing with an online partner, and often NPCs and environmental assets won't load.”
    • “Bugs and glitches make it frustrating to play at times.”
  • grinding
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and clunky, often detracting from the overall enjoyment. Players find the need to repeatedly grind for experience and gold to progress frustrating, especially given the penalties for dying, such as losing equipment. While some appreciate the challenge and community aspects, many feel that the grind becomes a chore rather than an engaging gameplay element.

    • “Unlockable characters add little value, serving as yet another tedious grind for leveling and unlocking abilities, rather than enriching the gameplay experience.”
    • “The clunky combat, forgettable story, and grindy levels make this feel more like a chore than a game.”
    • “Gameplay is unrewarding and tedious; your weapons do no more than chip tiny bits off enemy health, which draws out boring fights.”
  • character development
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its impressive character designs, which are praised for their unique artistry and thematic coherence, drawing inspiration from historical art styles. However, while the characters have interesting backstories, the overall narrative and combat mechanics are criticized for lacking depth, leaving a mixed impression on players.

    • “The character designs are great, and the story is pretty decent with the characters having their own unique and interesting stories and inspirations.”
    • “The character design is a perfect fit for the setting - beautifully hand-drawn and styled after the posters and ads of the French post-impressionists of the 1890s (think Toulouse-Lautrec) but augmented with a far richer and deeper color palette.”
    • “The character designs are well thought out, and everything about them and the environment is pretty.”
    • “Nice artwork and character design, but poor on story and battle style.”
    • “Additionally, the character designs for female characters in the game are elegant and beautiful, but of course male characters are either placeholders or hideous.”
    • “The game's narrative isn't exactly high prose, but it neatly ties together all the gameplay elements with the art style and character designs.”
  • humor
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding enjoyment in its quirky elements and funny glitches, while others feel frustrated by the unpredictable mechanics that detract from the fun. Many appreciate the absurdity of character designs and scenarios, such as playing as a naked lady covered in mayo or encountering a skeleton character, which adds a layer of comedic charm. However, the humor can sometimes veer into frustration, especially when gameplay issues overshadow the comedic aspects.

    • “A lot of funny things happened that made it totally worth it.”
    • “The glitches are rather hilarious, and led to many hours of enjoyment.”
    • “Like you can play as a naked lady covered in mayo or talk to a skeleton guitar-playing Mexican dude; if you die, you turn into a Chilean soldier guy with the most hilarious beard ever. Lots of great, crazy-ass stuff!”
    • “It's similar to Binding of Isaac, but has a different fight system (I like this one better), and has better graphics, and this is not funny.”
  • optimization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on lower-end systems and is praised for its accessibility, some players experience visual and dialogue glitches, particularly on low-performance setups. Many users feel that the game could benefit from further optimization to enhance performance and reduce issues.

    • “The game is beautifully optimized and can basically run on a potato.”
    • “The game runs smoothly as silk and it can be too challenging at times, but it's definitely recommended!”
    • “The game has weird visual glitches and dialogue glitches when playing online on a low-performance system.”
    • “It's not the most optimized of games, that's for sure.”
    • “The only downside I think of is that it could be more optimized, performance-wise.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a range of emotions, from frustration with the complex controls to deep emotional moments during gameplay, such as realizing the stakes involved. While some appreciate the beautiful artwork and character systems, the challenging combat mechanics can lead to a sense of discouragement, particularly for new players. Overall, the emotional experience is mixed, highlighting both poignant moments and gameplay-related frustrations.

    • “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism, particularly for the presence of advertisements in the main menu, which detracts from the overall experience. Players feel that the limited RPG and rogue-lite elements, along with a lack of meaningful engagement with the storyline, contribute to a sense of dissatisfaction, making the game feel flawed despite its artistic merits.

    • “I want to like this game, but the RPG and rogue-lite elements are limited. Monster collecting doesn't appeal to me as it only serves to add a flimsy excuse to learn more about a game whose versus lobbies are deader than the extinct species list. The storyline is only a bit interesting (less so when you realize you don't have any actual influence on it), and reading about it doesn't actually give you any real benefit beyond a decently arranged story. It's a decent game, but it can only ever be decent when it is so riddled with flaws, and the fact that the main menu contains an advertisement is just icing on the cake.”
    • “The monetization in this game feels excessive and intrusive, making it hard to enjoy the experience without being constantly bombarded by prompts to spend more money.”
    • “I find the in-game purchases to be overpriced and not worth the value they provide, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
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9h Median play time
10h Average play time
4-20h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Abyss Odyssey is a platformer game with fantasy theme.

Abyss Odyssey is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Windows, PlayStation 3 and others.

On average players spend around 10 hours playing Abyss Odyssey.

Abyss Odyssey was released on July 15, 2014.

Abyss Odyssey was developed by ACE Team.

Abyss Odyssey has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Abyss Odyssey is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Salt and Sanctuary, The Swords of Ditto, Lost Castle / 失落城堡, Children of Morta, Outland and others.