Stirring Abyss Critic Reviews

A capable indie strategy title that does more with its Lovecraftian setting than most similar games of the past decade.

Stirring Abyss is a little indie gem.

Stirring Abyss is a very good indie take on the modern XCOM formula that will make tactics fans happy, although it is not really a spiritual successor to Terror from the Deep. The campaign itself, on Normal difficulty, offers a solid challenge by itself and the game also has an Endless mode for even more replayability. Yes, there are difficulty spikes, especially the boss battles, that can frustrate. But the tension between preparedness and speed that the mechanics created is something that more modern tactics focused titles should try to replicate.

A decent tactical turn-based game with some rogue-like elements, made great by a superlative, and pervasive, lovecraftian atmosphere.

Stirring Abyss takes the Lovecraft universe to make a tactical turn-based game that it's a surprise itself. Enemies design are notable and the boss fights are very challenging, but it has problems when it tries to offer enemy variations and creative side quests.

The Stirring Abyss is creepy, inventive, and short enough that it doesn’t wear out its welcome. The secrets of the depths are intriguing, and the setpiece battles and boss fights were satisfying. The developers have even included a roguelike endless battle mode for anyone who wants to keep grinding away once they’ve finished the game — if it was a bit less boardgamey and a little more immersive, I’d be able to endorse it wholeheartedly.

A by the numbers turn-based tactics game, Stirring Abyss neither fills you with joy nor makes you resent it. Still, you could do much worse than spend a few evenings on the deep sea floor, especially if you’ve already had your fill of other, more impressive offerings in this genre.