Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

From the Abyss delivers a deep dungeon-crawling experience that puts you in full control of a custom-created hero. Right from the outset, you’ll invest time tailoring your character’s appearance, stats, and initial skill set, ensuring your avatar fits your preferred playstyle. As you step into the labyrinthine corridors of Rubenhaut’s sprawling dungeons, every turn and chamber is ripe with secrets, loot, and unexpected threats.

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The game’s signature mechanic—absorbing the souls of defeated monsters and stealing their skills—adds a unique layer of strategic depth. After vanquishing an enemy, you can selectively merge its abilities with your existing arsenal, forging powerful combos that feel distinctly your own. This system rewards experimentation, as combining elemental spells with melee maneuvers yields surprising synergies that can turn the tide of battle.

What truly sets From the Abyss apart is its procedural generation. Each new save file randomizes dungeon layouts, enemy placements, and loot drops, so you never traverse the same corridor twice. This unpredictable structure keeps the gameplay fresh, encouraging repeated runs to uncover hidden areas or rare skill combinations.

For those seeking camaraderie, the co-op mode lets you team up with a friend to tackle the depths together. You’ll coordinate strategies, share loot drops, and synchronize skill builds to take down the Abyss Lord as a duo. This shared experience elevates tension and excitement, especially when facing colossal bosses or unraveling secret passages.

Graphics

The art direction in From the Abyss leans heavily into dark fantasy, with moody lighting and ominous architecture that evoke a world teetering on the brink of chaos. Castle ruins and cavernous halls are rendered with intricate stonework and creeping shadows, immersing you in the oppressive atmosphere of a realm overrun by monsters.

Environmental variety is another highlight: from torch-lit corridors to mist-shrouded caverns, each dungeon zone presents a distinct visual theme. Subtle color palettes shift as you delve deeper into the Abyss, signaling increased danger and rewarding observant players with ever-evolving backdrops.

Combat animations and particle effects shine when unleashing special abilities or combining stolen skills. Fiery blasts, crackling ice shards, and spectral tendrils burst from your character with satisfying impact. While performance remains smooth on modern hardware, the occasional frame dip during large-scale battles is a minor drawback.

Story

Set in the small nation of Rubenhaut, From the Abyss weaves a tale of hope and desperation. Years ago, the Saint of Light sealed away all monsters behind a Dimensional Abyss, and Rubenhaut was erected to guard the rift. The world enjoyed a rare era of peace—until the seal shattered, unleashing hordes of beasts once more.

Your journey begins when fragments of a shattered magical crystal, the Abyss Gate, are scattered across the land. As the chosen adventurer, you must retrieve these pieces from perilous dungeons, reforge the crystal, and ultimately restore the seal. Along the way, you’ll uncover lore about the Saint’s sacrifice, the origins of the Abyss Lord, and the hidden cost of harnessing monster souls.

Although much of the narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling and item descriptions, optional side quests deepen the lore. NPCs in village outposts share rumors and side stories, granting emotional stakes to your mission. The tale may be straightforward, but its world-building gives it a satisfying weight that accompanies every descent into darkness.

Overall Experience

From the Abyss excels at replayability, thanks to its procedural dungeons and flexible skill-merging system. No two runs feel identical, and mastery comes from adapting to the unexpected—whether that’s forging a lightning-infused sword strike or combining a healing aura with shadow manipulation.

The cooperative mode shines as a social adventure. Teaming up with a friend transforms isolated exploration into a shared crusade against the Abyss Lord. Coordinated strategies, split loot decisions, and the thrill of conquering a daunting boss create memorable moments that can’t be replicated in solo play.

While the learning curve can be steep—especially for newcomers to dungeon crawlers—the game’s generous tutorials and gradual difficulty ramp help ease players into complex mechanics. Occasional balance quirks in later levels may demand multiple retries, but overcoming those challenges enhances the sense of accomplishment.

In short, From the Abyss is a must-try for fans of procedurally generated RPGs who crave deep customization and a dark, immersive world. Its blend of strategic combat, cooperative thrills, and ongoing discovery ensures that every expedition into the Abyss feels fresh and rewarding.

Retro Replay Score

5.9/10