Abyssus Launch Review March 2026: Ultimate Brinepunk FPS Guide

When I first heard the term “brinepunk roguelite FPS,” I’ll admit I was intrigued but slightly confused. After spending considerable time with Abyssus since its Steam launch on August 12, 2026, I can confidently say that DoubleMoose Games has created something genuinely unique in the crowded roguelite shooter space. This underwater industrial nightmare combines the best elements of cooperative shooters with roguelite progression in a way that had me and my squad coming back for “just one more run” until 3 AM.

Currently available on Steam for $24.99 (with a 15% launch discount still active as of March 2026), Abyssus drops you into the role of an Oceaneer – essentially an underwater industrial worker turned monster hunter. The game’s brinepunk aesthetic, which I’d describe as steampunk meets BioShock meets industrial horror, creates an atmosphere unlike anything I’ve played recently. With Very Positive reviews from 83% of Steam users and growing, it’s clear I’m not alone in appreciating what DoubleMoose has crafted here.

Understanding the Brinepunk World of Abyssus

The first thing that struck me about Abyssus was its commitment to the brinepunk aesthetic. If you’re unfamiliar with the term (as I was), think steampunk but underwater – rusty industrial machinery, pressure gauges, corroded metal, and that constant feeling of being crushed by the ocean’s weight. The developers, who previously worked at Coffee Stain Studios and Ubisoft, have clearly brought their AAA experience to this indie project.

Playing through the 64 hand-crafted levels, I noticed how each environment tells a story through environmental design. Broken machinery hints at catastrophic failures, while eerie bioluminescent growths suggest the ocean has reclaimed these industrial spaces in disturbing ways. It’s this attention to detail that elevates Abyssus beyond being just another roguelite shooter in the indie gaming landscape.

Gameplay Mechanics: Where Roguelite Meets FPS Excellence?

At its core, Abyssus plays like a traditional FPS with tight, responsive controls that reminded me of classic arena shooters. However, the roguelite elements transform each run into a unique experience. The game features 8 distinct weapons, each with up to 45 different modifications available. During my playtime, I’ve barely scratched the surface of possible weapon combinations, and that’s what keeps me coming back to this multiplayer shooter.

The blessing system is where Abyssus really shines. With 150 different blessings to discover, each run feels dramatically different. In one playthrough, I focused on movement speed and dodge-based blessings, turning my Oceaneer into a nimble death-dealer. In another, I went all-in on explosive damage, creating screen-clearing chaos that would make Michael Bay proud. These aren’t just minor stat boosts – they fundamentally change how you approach combat.

What I particularly appreciate is the Soul Fragment progression system. Even failed runs contribute to your overall progress, allowing you to permanently upgrade your character between attempts. After about 10 hours of play, I’ve unlocked significant improvements to health, damage output, and special abilities that make deeper runs more feasible without trivializing the challenge.

Solo vs Co-op: Two Different Games in One Package

While Abyssus supports 1-4 players, I’ve found the experience dramatically different depending on your squad size. Solo play demands methodical progression and careful resource management. Every blessing choice matters more when you’re alone, and the tension ratchets up significantly when facing the game’s MMORPG-style boss encounters without backup.

However, the game truly comes alive in co-op. Playing with three friends transforms Abyssus into controlled chaos in the best possible way. The blessing system encourages build diversity – one player might focus on tanking damage while another specializes in crowd control. Some of my best gaming moments this month involved coordinating ultimate abilities to demolish a screen full of sea monsters while my teammates revived our fallen fourth member, making it one of the best multiplayer games I’ve experienced recently.

The multiplayer implementation deserves special praise. Unlike many roguelites that struggle with online play, Abyssus features smooth netcode and minimal lag, even when playing with friends across different regions. The drop-in/drop-out functionality works flawlessly, letting friends join mid-run without disrupting the flow.

The Weapons Arsenal: Industrial Tools of Destruction

Each of Abyssus’s 8 weapons feels distinct and purposeful. My personal favorite, the Rivet Gun, starts as a simple projectile weapon but can be modified into a ricocheting room-clearer or a precision sniper depending on your mod choices. The Grease Launcher, while initially underwhelming, becomes devastating when combined with fire-based blessings, creating persistent damage zones that melt through enemy hordes.

What impressed me most is how weapon mods interact with blessings. During one memorable run, I combined the Anchor Launcher’s pull modification with a blessing that caused electrical damage on contact. Suddenly, I was yanking enemies into electrified death traps of my own creation. These emergent gameplay moments happen constantly, rewarding experimentation and creative thinking.

Difficulty and Progression: A Carefully Balanced Challenge

I’ll be honest – Abyssus kicked my teeth in during the first few hours. The difficulty curve is steep, especially for players new to roguelites. However, unlike some games that feel unfairly punishing, every death in Abyssus taught me something valuable. Maybe I learned a new enemy attack pattern, discovered a blessing synergy, or found a secret room containing valuable upgrades.

The game’s 64 levels are divided into distinct biomes, each introducing new enemy types and environmental hazards. Just when I felt comfortable with the mechanical monstrosities of the industrial zones, the game threw bioluminescent horrors at me that required completely different tactics. This variety prevents the grind from becoming monotonous, a common pitfall in the roguelite genre.

Performance and Technical Considerations

Running Abyssus on my mid-range gaming rig (RTX 3060, Ryzen 5 5600X, 16GB RAM), I maintained a steady 100+ FPS at 1440p with settings maxed out. The game is surprisingly well-optimized, and I’ve experienced zero crashes or game-breaking bugs in my time with it. For those shopping for hardware, you’ll find excellent performance even on budget gaming laptops thanks to the game’s reasonable system requirements.

One minor technical issue I encountered involved environmental collision detection. Occasionally, projectiles would clip through geometry in unexpected ways, though this happened rarely enough that it never seriously impacted my enjoyment. The developers have been responsive to community feedback, with patches already addressing several launch-day concerns.

Comparing Abyssus to the Competition

As someone who’s sunk hundreds of hours into Deep Rock Galactic and Gunfire Reborn, I can confidently place Abyssus among the best multiplayer games in the roguelite FPS category. While it doesn’t quite reach Deep Rock’s level of polish or content depth (yet), the unique setting and blessing system give it a distinct identity.

Where Abyssus excels is in its moment-to-moment gameplay. The gunplay feels weightier and more impactful than Gunfire Reborn, while the industrial horror atmosphere provides a refreshing change from the typical fantasy or sci-fi settings dominating the genre. For couples looking for a challenging co-op gaming guide experience, Abyssus offers enough difficulty options to accommodate different skill levels while maintaining engaging gameplay.

Developer Background and Future Potential

DoubleMoose Games, the Swedish studio behind Abyssus, has an interesting pedigree. Founded by former Coffee Stain Studios and Ubisoft developers, they’re known for quirky physics-based games like Just Die Already and Animal Super Squad. Abyssus represents a significant departure from their previous work, showing impressive range and ambition in the gaming landscape.

The publisher, The Arcade Crew, has a solid track record of supporting indie games post-launch. Based on their history and the game’s positive reception, I’m optimistic about Abyssus receiving substantial content updates. The foundation is rock-solid; with additional weapons, blessings, and biomes, this could evolve into a genre-defining title.

Tips for New Oceaneers

After my extensive playtime, here’s my advice for newcomers:

First, don’t neglect movement blessings early on. The temptation to stack damage is strong, but survivability through mobility will carry you further in early runs. Second, experiment with every weapon at least once – my least favorite starting weapon became my go-to choice after discovering the right modification combo.

Third, play with friends whenever possible. Not only does co-op make the game more forgiving, but coordinating blessing choices creates powerful synergies impossible in solo play. Finally, embrace failure as part of the learning process. Every death provides Soul Fragments for permanent upgrades, making subsequent runs progressively easier.

Final Verdict: Diving Deep Is Worth It

Abyssus succeeds in carving out its own niche in the crowded roguelite FPS market. The brinepunk aesthetic provides a unique visual identity, while the blessing and weapon modification systems offer near-infinite replayability. Despite some minor technical hiccups and a steep initial difficulty curve, the core gameplay loop is addictive enough to keep me returning night after night.

At $24.99 (currently discounted to $21.24), Abyssus offers excellent value for money. With 64 hand-crafted levels, 8 weapons with 45 mods each, and 150 blessings to discover, you’re looking at dozens of hours of content even before considering the replay value inherent to roguelites. The Very Positive Steam rating from nearly 500 players reflects what I’ve experienced – a well-crafted, unique take on familiar genres that respects players’ time while challenging their skills.

For fans of roguelite shooters, co-op experiences, or anyone intrigued by the brinepunk aesthetic, Abyssus is an easy recommendation. DoubleMoose Games has created something special here, and I’m excited to see how the game evolves with future updates. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have another run to attempt – I’m certain this time I’ll finally beat that fourth boss that’s been destroying me all week.