DaRmaZat Abyssus, currently in development by DoubleMoose Games and set to be published by The Arcade Crew, is shaping up to be a fast-paced, cooperative FPS with roguelite elements. A public release date has yet to be announced, and this preview is based on the Steam demo version, intended as a limited showcase of what the final release might offer.
Thrown into the Abyss, preparing for what lies ahead
All tension begins in an underground, stylized temple environment that serves as a brief but effective tutorial. Rather than dragging out exposition, the game opts to get straight to the action—introducing core mechanics like dashing across gaps, executing double jumps, and using both primary and secondary fire modes. Interestingly, only the left mouse button consumes ammunition, while the right triggers a more powerful but heat-sensitive shot. Combat is swift and responsive, and from the outset, Abyssus pushes for momentum and agility. Healing is handled manually with a syringe, while initial abilities include a standard frag grenade, activated with a quick button press, alongside a melee system that gives players access to a wrench—less a weapon, more a panic tool to stun enemies and interrupt reloading or ability cooldowns.
From the outset, Abyssus pushes for momentum and agility.
At the end of the short tutorial section, things escalate quickly. A group of tough, robotic enemies—referred to as Golems—awaits, setting the tone for what lies ahead. Once cleared, progression leads to an altar where players must select a “Blessing” tied to an Aspect, such as Fire, Night, Spirit, Lightning, or Frost. These Aspects define the thematic identity of the upgrade, each with unique status effects and percentage-based boosts that can be applied to either weapon mode or the active ability. A fire-aligned blessing, for instance, may guarantee that enemies ignite on hit.
Stacking multiple blessings within the same Aspect offers cumulative benefits. Beyond stat bonuses, hitting the third and sixth tier unlocks additional effects, from minor perks like stacking burn damage to major upgrades with broader impact. Charms add a second layer of customization, with each run allowing only one to be equipped. These grant specific perks—such as increased damage to nearby enemies—and further refine the build strategy.
The Lobby: Group Up, Gear Up, and Customize before each Run
Once the tutorial is complete, you are transported to a central hub area, the so-called Lobby. Up to four users can group here before launching into expeditions, and both public and private sessions are supported via a session browser or Steam invites through an in-game terminal. The camp also offers access to cosmetic customization through a wardrobe, as well as a loadout bench to modify weapons, abilities, and mods. Your arsenal is varied and creatively designed: beyond the default Engine Rifle, options include a Tesla Gun, a sharp-edged Disc Thrower, a precise Combat Bow, and even an unorthodox melee weapon known as the Fish Deity—a swordfish turned angry god.
Launching into an expedition is done via an elevator, and these runs—called expeditions—form the roguelite backbone of the game. Each run is split into multiple depth levels, themselves made up of compact, combat-heavy rooms. Enemy waves are interspersed with objectives, and sometimes enemies will continue to spawn until the task is complete. Completing a wave unlocks a marker, allowing players to proceed further into the depths. However, the randomized rooms tend to look visually similar, a design decision that might become repetitive over time.
Runs reward success with gold and keys, and occasionally present additional blessings or new Charms to enhance the loadout mid-run. Optional objectives, such as completing a room without taking damage, grant extra rewards and inject additional tension into each segment. Difficulty ramps up quickly, and healing resources remain limited—failure is expected, but even unsuccessful attempts can unlock new charms or weapon mods based on performance.
Smooth gameplay meets stunning visuals
Technically, Abyssus performs well. Though the demo lacks upscaling options like DLSS or AMD’s FSR, it does include Unreal’s TSR upscaling, which proves sufficient for maintaining stable performance. Controls are tight, aiming feels precise, and the overall flow of combat is smooth. Yes, even when confined to a much smaller arena, Abyssus’s extremely fast-paced gameplay still hits me with Echo Point Nova thrills.
Even when confined to a much smaller arena, Abyssus’s extremely fast-paced gameplay still hits me with Echo Point Nova thrills.
Visually, the game impresses with dynamic lighting, impactful explosions, and well-executed animation work. Environmental effects, especially water and particle physics, are particularly eye-catching. On the audio front, the soundtrack enhances the atmosphere with echoing, suspenseful tones. Variations of the game’s main theme—originally featured in the trailer—provide an immersive backdrop to each mission.
Preliminary Thoughts
While Abyssus may not be doing anything radically new in terms of structure, its commitment to fast, fluid, and challenging co-op combat makes a strong first impression. The blessing and aspect systems show potential for deep buildcrafting, and the moment-to-moment action feels satisfying and reactive. Visual polish and performance are already at a promising level, especially for a demo.
That said, environmental variety is limited in this early demo version, and storytelling takes a definite backseat to gameplay. Whether the full release will expand on these areas remains to be seen. Still, at its core, Abyssus is clearly designed to shine when played with friends—and it’s exactly in that high-speed, chaotic co-op experience where the game feels at its most alive.
Additional Information
Release Date: TBA
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: DoubleMoose Games
Publisher: The Arcade Crew
Official Website: https://www.thearcadecrew.com/games/abyssus
Relevant links: Abyssus on STEAM
