Ancient Abyss

About

Ancient Abyss is a 2D action game that combines the exploration and discovery of 2D Zelda games with the thrilling battle and permadeath mechanics of Roguelike games. The game takes place in a randomly generated maze, filled with hidden areas and secret powers. As you progress, you'll gain new abilities and items to help you reach deeper into the abyss, uncovering dark forces along the way.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

graphics8 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a beautifully stylized art design that is well-executed and visually appealing.
The combat mechanics are engaging and provide a fun challenge, making it enjoyable for short play sessions.
There is a lot of potential for the game, with interesting upgrades and a mix of roguelike elements that can keep players invested.

The game suffers from poor translations and clunky mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience.
Many players have reported game-breaking bugs and glitches, indicating that the game feels unfinished in its current state.
The randomly generated world lacks depth and narrative, making exploration feel less rewarding compared to traditional Zelda-like games.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the core mechanics show potential, they often feel clunky and uninspired, leading to a less engaging experience. Some appreciate the unique combination of roguelike elements and the art style, but the overall execution, including character movement and tutorial design, leaves much to be desired. Despite these issues, there is hope for improvement as the game is still in early access.
- “That said, I believe this game has big potential, and this is because of their mechanics.”
- “Unlocking new mechanics makes repeated playthroughs enjoyable as you begin to master a system.”
- “Really neat combination of Zelda and roguelike mechanics.”
- “I would recommend a game despite abysmal translation if the core mechanics were good, but the combat feels clunky and the mechanics feel uninspired.”
- “I know it's early in its development, but outside of major overhauls to the core gameplay, I couldn't imagine this being a standout amongst so many great roguelikes coming out nowadays.”
- “Personally for me, the game felt too slow and clunky. There are neat mechanics and cool interactions as well as a good art style and atmosphere, but I feel as though the player should move a little bit smoother and faster as a whole.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
9%
18%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their amazing art style, which evokes a post-apocalyptic sci-fantasy vibe reminiscent of "Hyper Light Drifter." While the visuals are generally considered impressive, some reviewers noted inconsistencies in certain elements, such as fire effects and perspective issues, which detract from the overall experience. Despite these minor flaws, the graphics contribute positively to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “The visuals are great.”
- “Actually, the visuals are amazing.”
- “At the end of the day, you can buy it if you feel like it, but the art style is absolutely amazing.”
- “The art style is like a watered down version of Hyper Light Drifter.”
- “Some parts of the art style don't blend well; for instance, I feel like the fire should have more of a pixelated look rather than this weird, almost stock fire look. There are also some perspective issues that seem out of place.”
story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users noting poor translations and a lack of a coherent narrative, leading some to feel that the story is almost non-existent. However, others appreciate the subtle storytelling elements and immersive world-building, comparing it favorably to titles like Hyper Light Drifter, while expressing a desire for a more developed narrative in potential sequels. Overall, while the gameplay is enjoyable, the story leaves much to be desired.
- “The whole reason why the first Zelda was made in that way was to encourage exploration in a well-crafted world, that's been methodically thought through, full of things to see, unlock, and hidden secrets in the cracks of the world, and hidden bits of storytelling.”
- “Because Hyper Light Drifter told a compelling story, with similar visuals, a far superior soundtrack, and a well-thought-out world.”
- “That being said, it's a super fun dungeon crawl, I'm already in love with it and the story is great so far.”
- “The game has no story to speak of.”
- “Absolutely none, and don't bother trying to read what they're trying to pass off as a story.”
- “Like they said, some text is still in its original dialect... mostly small things, nothing streamlined or story-wise that would make you feel like you are missing something big.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
36%
27%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the soundtrack and find it fitting for the stages, others criticize it for lacking diversity and becoming repetitive, with some even finding it annoying enough to turn off completely. Comparisons to superior soundtracks from other games highlight a desire for a more thoughtfully composed musical experience. Overall, there is a consensus that the music needs significant improvement to enhance the game's atmosphere.
- “Great soundtrack.”
- “Because hyperlight drifter told a compelling story, with similar visuals, a far superior soundtrack, and a well thought out world.”
- “I feel that the music for stages is appropriate and nice.”
- “The music feels out of place with this game; it sounds like just one track from an 80's stereo album repeated throughout, becoming quite annoying after a while to the point I had to turn the music all the way down.”
- “Which is unfortunate, because if this game had a well thought out world, story, and soundtrack, it could have beaten Hyper Light Drifter.”
- “The music needs a lot of work.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting significant game-breaking bugs and glitches that suggest it feels unfinished, while others have experienced a smooth experience with no issues during combat and exploration. Overall, the early access release may have been premature for some players.
- “No glitches at all so far; combat and exploration are fun.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless experience.”
- “I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime, which enhances immersion.”
- “I wish I could say this is currently a good experience, but so far, the game feels very unfinished. The developers should have waited some time before releasing it in early access, as I've encountered several bugs and glitches that were game-breaking for me.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players appreciate the grinding aspect of the game, noting that while puzzles and secrets may lose their novelty after the first encounter, they remain engaging and not tedious. The balance of risk and reward effectively motivates players to continue grinding for progress, enhancing the overall roguelike experience.
- “The grinding in this game feels repetitive and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
- “I find the grinding aspect to be overly drawn out, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “The constant need to grind for resources becomes a chore rather than a fun challenge, leading to burnout.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with praise for the design of the main character and enemies. However, players express a desire for greater diversity in weapon mechanics, as the current differences between two-handed and one-handed swords are limited to color and speed rather than unique effects.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews suggest a mixed sentiment regarding monetization, with some users expressing skepticism about potential cash grab tactics while others remain open to exploring the game's value. Overall, there is a sense of caution among players regarding the game's financial practices.
- “Buy it if you're curious, but stick around to see if it's a cash grab or not.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its art style and engaging mechanics, but some players feel that the overall experience is hindered by slow and clunky movement, which detracts from immersion.
- “The game features a captivating art style and an immersive atmosphere that draws you in.”
- “The atmosphere is rich and engaging, making every moment feel alive and meaningful.”
- “The combination of sound design and visual elements creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.”