Phantom Abyss

About

Phantom Abyss is a thrilling asynchronous multiplayer game where you explore ever-changing temple layouts filled with deadly traps and enemies. As a daring explorer, you must repel hostile creatures, avoid deadly obstacles, and collect powerful relics in this exciting first-person adventure. With permadeath and limited-time only runs, each temple expedition is a unique challenge that begs to be conquered. Good luck!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,102 reviews

gameplay214 positive mentions

optimization38 negative mentions

Challenging and refreshing gameplay that keeps players engaged.
Unique asynchronous multiplayer mechanic allows players to learn from the phantoms of others.
Smooth movement mechanics and satisfying whip mechanics enhance the overall experience.

Performance issues, including frame rate drops and crashes, can hinder gameplay.
Repetitive room layouts and lack of variety in traps can lead to a feeling of sameness over time.
Recent updates have introduced frustrating mechanics, such as starting with only one health point and removing the ability to bless whips.

gameplay
552 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
4%
The gameplay of "Phantom Abyss" is characterized by its fast-paced, parkour-style mechanics that are both challenging and enjoyable, with a unique whip mechanic that adds depth to the experience. However, many players have noted inconsistencies in the controls and mechanics, particularly with the whip's grapple function, which can lead to frustrating moments. While the core gameplay loop is engaging and offers replayability, recent updates have introduced grind-heavy elements and chaotic trap combinations that detract from the overall experience.
- “Challenging but enjoyable dungeons and gameplay.”
- “The gameplay loop is very satisfying and it has nearly infinite replayability.”
- “The actual gameplay of this game is great, and addictively so.”
- “What began as an incredibly promising tomb runner in early access with some very clever unique social mechanics unfortunately devolved into a very generic, toothless 'rogue-like' with all of the social mechanics stripped out, all of the unique runs for relics that could only be claimed by a single person, and everything that made the game promising stripped away and dumbed down into a bare-bones forced 'adventure' mode.”
- “The most basic mechanic of the game, whip grapple, is buggy and sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. Unless this is fixed, the game is virtually unplayable.”
- “The game once offered a great balance of challenge and reward, but with recent changes, it feels like the devs are pushing grindy mechanics to artificially extend the game's lifespan.”
optimization
176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
69%
22%
The game's optimization has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting inconsistent performance, especially in later levels and during intense moments with multiple phantoms. While some users have noted improvements over time, particularly after updates, issues like stuttering, frame rate drops, and high CPU usage persist, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Overall, while the game shows potential, it requires further optimization to enhance gameplay stability and user experience.
- “Game has been optimized to run much better and they have addressed all of the things that frustrated me in early access, having adjusted or rolled back certain changes on the road to figuring out what they wanted.”
- “Graphics look amazing, scenery is well-made, and the game runs smoothly.”
- “I hope this gets optimized, because it's good.”
- “The game struggles with performance for me, and reading through other comments this seems to be a common issue.”
- “There are performance issues even on higher-end hardware which cause stuttering leading to situations where you can't avoid damage anymore.”
- “Unfortunately the lack of graphics options and very poor optimization, causing the game to use 80% CPU and 0% GPU on many systems leaves this feeling like a bad console port.”
graphics
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
56%
8%
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the aesthetic and visual appeal, particularly in relation to its exploration theme reminiscent of an Indiana Jones adventure. However, there are significant concerns regarding optimization and the lack of customizable graphics settings, leading to performance issues on various systems. While the visuals are described as great and fitting for the gameplay, players are calling for better graphics options and improvements to stability.
- “The graphics look amazing, the scenery is well-made, and the game runs smoothly.”
- “This game definitely nails the aesthetic and theme of what it's going for, which is basically an Indiana Jones simulator.”
- “The graphics are great, and the gameplay mechanics really shine.”
- “Lack of graphics settings does not allow you to control scaling.”
- “Unfortunately the lack of graphics options and very poor optimization, causing the game to use 80% CPU and 0% GPU on many systems leaves this feeling like a bad console port.”
- “The framerate is very unstable, going from 100+ FPS to under 40 FPS for no apparent reasons, no matter which graphics settings you set and I had two crashes in around two hours.”
story
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
78%
11%
The game's story is generally considered entertaining but lacks depth, with many players noting that it feels incomplete and underdeveloped. While there are elements of lore and a quest system, the narrative does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience, which is where the game truly shines. Overall, players express a desire for more substantial story content and a satisfying conclusion, as the current state leaves many feeling unsatisfied.
- “The story, progression, and challenge systems are very well balanced and engaging.”
- “Overall, I think this is a good game even without the multiplayer gimmicks, and even if you only play through the 'story mode', you'll still have gotten your money's worth.”
- “Although recently with the new adventure update, it seems as though some decisions were made on content to cut and changes to be made that overall seem to have added a 'storyline' to the game or some lore to follow.”
- “There's no ending to the story.”
- “The game is played with extremely barebones story content; if you wanted to purchase for that, it is not recommended, but the 1.0 release should expand on it a little bit.”
- “Update: so there is still no ETA on the final levels, so keep in mind if you buy this, you can't finish it and there is no story ending or satisfying conclusion.”
music
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
6%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its dynamic and intense nature that enhances gameplay, particularly during critical moments like boss encounters. However, others criticize the lack of consistent music, feeling that it detracts from the overall atmosphere and makes the game feel lifeless at times. Additionally, there are complaints about specific sound effects being annoying and a desire for more fitting music to match the game's visual style.
- “This is the only game that I always put music to because it just feels right, and I can't recommend it enough.”
- “I love the dynamic music it employs--ramping up as your experience gets more intense.”
- “The music that comes in at certain points or when bosses arrive is fantastic in my opinion and really adds a layer of heat as it proceeds to get more intense the closer the boss gets to you.”
- “There's really no music (which, in my opinion, really makes or breaks a game like this) so 90% of the time you're awkwardly running through a temple trying to figure out what to do.”
- “There is very little music, so the game feels completely dead.”
- “The pacing slows to a crawl, which in turn ruins the gameplay and atmosphere, which was already bad given the literal complete lack of any music whatsoever.”
replayability
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
26%
5%
The game boasts high replayability due to its procedurally generated temples, diverse modifiers, and engaging mechanics, offering players a nearly endless variety of challenges. While many players find the replay value to be one of its strongest aspects, some note that recent changes have impacted the experience, particularly in adventure mode at higher levels. Overall, it remains a fun and addictive platformer with significant potential for future updates.
- “The game is very replayable, and the generated temple runs all manage to offer different enough challenge sequences to keep the game engaging.”
- “With the randomly generated temples, it makes the game almost endlessly replayable.”
- “The gameplay loop is very satisfying, and it has nearly infinite replayability.”
- “Tl;dr I'd say give it a shot, but be aware adventure mode gets really bad at higher levels and the replayability has suffered quite a bit from recent changes.”
- “Pretty fun game, small additions could really improve the replayability.”
- “I have thoroughly enjoyed playing this game, and honestly was on the fence for a while before getting it because I wasn't sure how much replay value was in the game.”
stability
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly affecting core mechanics like the whip grapple, which can render it nearly unplayable. While some players report a smooth experience with high frame rates, many others encounter issues such as freezing, soft locks, and inconsistent graphics settings. Overall, the game's stability is a significant concern, overshadowing its otherwise enjoyable design and aesthetic.
- “For me, the game runs great at max settings around 180-200 fps (R5 3600X / RTX 3060 / 16GB RAM).”
- “As I was playing the tutorial, I started experiencing horrifying reverb on repeating/glitching sounds. I continued playing and got some items after getting my first set of blessings, and the game froze.”
- “The most basic mechanic of the game, whip grapple, is buggy and sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Unless this is fixed, the game is virtually unplayable.”
- “I love the game, but these failures mean I can't say to someone else, 'get it, you will love it.' Instead, it's, 'the game is buggy in a way that skill cannot overcome.'”
grinding
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
23%
73%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, often requiring players to redo content they've already completed due to recent updates that reset progress. While some players appreciate the balance of challenge and reward, others feel that the game has shifted towards grindy mechanics that artificially extend gameplay, leading to frustration. However, a few players note that the amount of grinding can vary significantly based on individual skill and learning speed, suggesting a mixed experience overall.
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This not only feels completely out of place in the game world, it also only serves to stretch out a sometimes already tedious game.”
- “The game once offered a great balance of challenge and reward, but with recent changes, it feels like the devs are pushing grindy mechanics to artificially extend the game's lifespan.”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players finding joy in its chaotic gameplay and amusing mechanics, such as the whimsical mobility options and the comedic outcomes of near-death experiences. The experience is enhanced when shared with friends, making the game's frantic nature even more entertaining. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch that encourages players not to take failures too seriously.
- “It's always funny following a phantom throughout the temple, waiting to see how they eventually die, and all in all, it's an enjoyable experience.”
- “Collecting money for coffers also allows you to get roguelike-style blessings at the end of a floor, including more mobility options like double jump, slow fall, and even sliding off of a cliff to Looney Tunes your way across for a couple of seconds, which is especially hilarious when combined with the other options.”
- “It all comes together into a frantic mess that just feels hilarious to play and could easily be good fun when shared with friends.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game's phantoms, feeling deep attachment that leads to frustration and pain when they are harmed or lost. The intense gameplay mechanics, including the threat posed by guardians, heighten this emotional experience, as players often feel pressured and helpless in critical moments. Overall, the emotional stakes are significant, with players oscillating between attachment and distress.
- “I like to get emotionally attached to the phantoms and then scream out in pain when they die in front of me.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism, with users expressing concerns that it feels like a cash grab lacking commitment to further development. While initial advertising generated interest, players fear that the game may not live up to its potential and could be abandoned by the developers.
- “At present, I'd say I can't recommend it, because it seems like another cash grab game that has no intention of actually developing further for a while.”
- “Hopefully this turns into a masterpiece and not just a cool idea that turns into a cash grab and gets abandoned by the devs.”
- “If you were drawn in by the original advertising and held off on getting it until it was out of early access, you missed out on the good version of this game.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere is praised for its gorgeous art and effective sound design, which enhances the sense of doom and complements the gameplay. However, some players feel that pacing issues and a lack of music can detract from the overall experience, undermining the otherwise strong atmospheric elements.
- “The art is gorgeous, and the sound design is fantastically atmospheric.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and really fun; the music is a great accompaniment to the atmosphere and the impending sense of doom.”
- “The pacing slows to a crawl, which in turn ruins the gameplay and atmosphere, which was already bad given the complete lack of any music whatsoever.”