Phantom Abyss Critic Reviews

I’ve been playing Phantom Abyss since it first entered early access and I will not be stopping anytime soon now it’s officially launched. The adrenaline-fuelled gameplay gives me so much joy every time I do a run, whether I’m playing it casually or seriously trying to challenge myself. It is a game that will join the likes of FTL and Spulunky as games that are forever in my regular rotation, and for a game like this, I can offer no higher praise.

Whether you're a newcomer to parkour games, an intermediate, or a longtime expert, Phantom Abyss is more than well-worth a go. The combined low skill floor to entry, vs the far higher skill ceiling one can hope to reach over time, in combination with the replayable nature of each level, gives Phantom Abyss a lot of potential longevity moving forward. Here's hoping the developers continue to flesh out the core experience via new levels and quality-of-life improvements in the months following this transition from Early Access to full release.

Essentially, don't expect to find a revamped or a completely new Phantom Abyss experience with this 1.0 update, because that isn't what this is. Instead, what you'll find is simply an upgrade and slight improvement to various aspects and parts of the entire framework that constitutes what Team WIBY created in the first place. If you've never played Phantom Abyss before, now is the perfect time to check it out, and likewise if you haven't played since early in the EA launch, there's a reason to return to it again. But, if you've been routinely playing this game for the past 18 months, you'll likely be a little disappointed that the 1.0 debut didn't come with a bit more meat on its bones, if you will.

Phantom Abyss is an adventure game with a heavy emphasis on movement mechanics, semi-cooperative gameplay, and a great deal of trial and error. Conquer traps, collect whips, and escape an esoteric prison in this “Indi” adventure game published by the masters of originality, Devolver Digital.

Phantom Abyss isn’t a perfect endless temple speedrunner, but for a dozen or so hours, it has a great hook.

Despite its engaging concept and moments of brilliance, the game is held back by these shortcomings, making it a journey of both delight and disappointment. This ultimately leaves Phantom Abyss feeling like a treasure chest that’s only partially filled – it has its share of gems that shine brightly yet leaves enough space to make you wonder about the treasures that could have been.

Phantom Abyss is a trek into a lost and trap-filled temple that constantly has you on your toes. Each room is filled with several ways to die, or at least take a good amount of damage, and the constant pressure from the guardian means you have to think while moving. While there's something to be said for tearing through the level at top speed, the rooms are frequently interesting enough that it would be nice to stop and look around for a minute without being pushed forward. The secrets are highly satisfying to find, and when a guardian is dropping poison bombs or just relentlessly advancing that can feel like it's working against the necessary concentration or experimentation needed to reach them. A lot of the time it can feel easier to just dash on through, ignoring the intricate room design to reach the door to the next one, and the next and the next until finally reaching the exit. Every once in a while, though, Phantom Abyss manages to balance the speed and exploration, and that's when it's at its best.

Phantom Abyss offers a thrilling gaming experience, but it won't keep you hooked for hours on end without a group of friends to tackle the temples alongside you.

This is all to say that Phantom Abyss falls somewhat short on achieving the goal of offering a challenging parkour adventure in a roguelite package. The whip and phantom gameplay involving other players’ trial and error are unique, but its clunkiness, difficulty, and disparate progression are worth a pause. I’m confident that additional polish and content are coming down the pipeline, but I need more from the current state of the game.

Phantom Abyss is a mediocre-at-best roguelike 3D platformer. If you’re desperate to grind an unforgiving game, then you may want to give this a go, but, if not, then this may not be for you.

Phantom Abyss is a game that’s still fun in small doses, but technical issues and limited scope hold it back more than I would like.