End of Abyss is a sci-fi horror action-adventure about exploring a decaying underground facility, fighting its creatures with twin-stick controls, and using new tools to reach areas Cel could not access before. It launched October 1, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
What is End of Abyss about?
You play as Cel, a young combat technician sent to investigate disturbances in a sprawling underground complex. Machinery, deserted spaces, and monstrous creatures make the facility dangerous as well as difficult to navigate. The game’s central appeal is the contrast between that oppressive setting and a more active loop of shooting, upgrading equipment, and probing for routes forward.
Section 9 Interactive describes the atmosphere as drawing on the films, games, comic books, and anime its developers grew up with. The studio’s Marcus Ottvall explained that inspiration in his September 30, 2026 Xbox Wire launch article.
Is End of Abyss a twin-stick shooter or a Metroidvania?
It combines both. In the top-down 3D combat, one stick moves Cel and the other aims independently. Exploration follows a Metroidvania-style pattern: branching routes, locked doors, keys, shortcuts, useful tools, and reasons to revisit earlier corridors after gaining new abilities.
#1 Best Overall
Xbox Wire’s June 19, 2026 demo hands-on described dodging, healing with limited-use supplies, an unlimited-use energy pistol, a shotgun with limited ammunition, flares, grenades, crafting materials, and permanent upgrades. The demo also included scanning to mark map information. These details describe the preview build, not a comprehensive accounting of every full-game system.
Tools make exploration manageable
The official store description says Cel uses a Scanner and other tools to uncover hidden areas and navigate branching paths. New equipment and upgrades can open routes that were previously inaccessible, giving backtracking a practical purpose beyond revisiting familiar scenery. Co-founder Mattias Otvall described the Scanner as “a tool that we created for making the exploration more manageable and enjoyable.”
Rank #2
- PS5 Features include raytracing modes and immersive haptic feedback for DualSense
- Use darkness and cover to avoid being overwhelmed by the ship's deadly new inhabitants
- Seek out the weapon fabricators to increase your firepower as you journey deeper, into the dark and terrifying depths, but beware ammo is limited
- Gather materials & schematics for weapon upgrades and suit customizations with buffs
- Harvest DNA material to improve health, toughness and defensive capabilities.Survive an ever changing labyrinth. Each and every expedition into The Persistence will be disorienting and different.Death is just the beginning. Fatal encounters will result in Zimri's consciousness being uploaded into a new cloned body, ready to try again, with any upgraded stats, suits & weapon schematics kept to aid the next attempt to save the ship
Combat and resource use
Combat is designed around straightforward shooting and movement, while limited ammunition and healing encourage attention to resources. Marcus Ottvall said the team wanted combat to be easy to pick up, with the Metroidvania progression supplying new weapons and equipment that strengthen Cel and unlock more of the world. That mix may suit players who enjoy exploring between encounters; it is less suited to someone looking only for a linear shooter with no route-finding or return trips.
What platforms is End of Abyss on?
The game launched on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 1, 2026. The PlayStation listing confirms PS5, Xbox Wire announced the Xbox Series X|S launch, and the Epic Games Store lists the PC edition. Platform availability and store terms can change, so check the relevant live listing for current details.
Rank #3
- Value for money
- Good product with exc\
- Perfect puzzling: Puzzles slowly increase in complexity enabling seamless progression and rewarding exploration.
What early reviews say about the experience
In its October 1 review, GamesRadar’s Luke Kemp praised the atmosphere and monster design, but also reported rough edges in an 18-hour playthrough. He found some boss fights frustratingly difficult, said gloomy areas sometimes made levers and other objects hard to see, and described bugs including enemies hitting through walls, an elevator loading issue, and a late-game soft lock. Those are one reviewer’s findings from that review period; patches and other players’ experiences may differ.
Kemp said he spent 18 hours exploring and getting lost, while a direct route to the final boss could take half that time or less. This is his account, not an official or typical completion-time estimate. The review’s contrast points to a useful expectation: exploration can substantially shape how long a playthrough takes.
Rank #4
- FACE THE LEVIATHANS: Adds a new Border Board and Leviathan cards to replace the threat track, introducing sea monster battles that add tension and excitement to every game.
- NEW LORDS AND ALLIES: Recruit powerful Lords and Allies with abilities designed to help you fight Leviathans and secure victory.
- GAIN EXTRA REWARDS: Defeat the most Leviathans to earn the statue token and gain 5 extra victory points at the end of the game.
- HIGH STAKES AND STRATEGY: Explore the depths carefully—fighting Leviathans is risky but rewarding, while fleeing may result in injury.
- EXPAND YOUR ABYSS EXPERIENCE: Requires the Abyss board game to play. Designed for 2-4 players, ages 14+, this expansion deepens strategy and gameplay.
Accessibility and control options
The PlayStation listing specifies subtitles for the main story and main characters only, basic adjustable stick sensitivity, and the ability to play without motion controls, touch controls, vibration, or adaptive trigger effects. It also says gameplay and cinematics can be paused during offline play. These are the options stated on the PlayStation listing; availability or implementation on other platforms is not established there.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enhanced Accuracy - Increased moving range for a same angle of the stick after installing the Extender, much more easier to perform a precise aiming, turning or movement, reduced fatigue;
- Best Grip & Comfort - With the thumb grip cover installed on, the soft rubber silicone material provides comfort and extra grip, get better experience in a long session game play, makes everything under control;
- Pefect Protection - With the sets installed on provides prefect protection to the vulnerable original sticks of your controller, avoid any possibly damage;
- Different Height Options - Install extender & grips sets adds 10 mm height to the stick, enhances precision in shooting, racing games. Install only silicone thumb grips, enjoy original height and ideal comfort and protection;
- NOTICE - The sets are compatible with PS5 & PS4 Controller; Clean the grip for best performance; Keep the sets away from children under 3 years old, Keep the sets way from heat sorce and acid
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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