WARRIORS Abyss – BEST New Roguelike Hack & Slash You Must Play!
0Warriors: Abyss is an unexpected yet compelling fusion of the Dynasty Warriors formula with roguelike mechanics. As a lifelong fan of both the Warriors series and roguelike games, I was eager to dive into this new take on the genre. After several hours of playtime across both my desktop and Steam Deck, I can confidently say that it delivers an addictive and rewarding experience—albeit with some caveats.
Core Gameplay & Roguelike Mechanics!
At its heart, Warriors: Abyss retains the signature hack-and-slash action of the Warriors franchise but blends it with roguelike elements. You select a character, enter procedurally structured battle arenas, and fight through hordes of enemies while picking up upgrades and power-ups along the way. Unlike traditional Warriors games, where move sets are consistent, here, your abilities and power-ups are randomized per run, forcing players to adapt on the fly.
There are over 100 playable characters, each with their own unique attacks, and they can be unlocked progressively through gameplay. Character progression includes permanent stat boosts the more you use them, but their abilities remain tied to the randomized upgrade system within each run. Weapons function as an additional layer of progression, granting extra special abilities to characters. However, acquiring weapons is a grind, as they are either randomly dropped at low rates or available for a steep currency cost.
One notable drawback is that after acquiring more than six warriors for your team, comparing benched warriors’ stats becomes difficult. This is a frustrating omission, given how much the game relies on character synergy.
Replayability & Challenge!
The game nails the "one more run" feeling that makes roguelikes so compelling. There are tons of different builds and combinations to explore, ensuring high replayability. Meta-progression ensures that even failed runs contribute to long-term growth, making the grind feel rewarding rather than punishing.
That said, one issue that stands out is the fixed order of bosses. While the boss fights themselves are enjoyable, predictable sequencing somewhat reduces the variety roguelikes thrive on. Hopefully, this changes later in the game or through updates.
Performance & Technical Aspects!
Warriors: Abyss runs beautifully while the game visually resembles a PS2-era title (which could be nostalgic for some), it remains clear and functional even when the screen is flooded with enemies and effects. It’s a perfect fit for portable play, making it a strong contender as a Steam Deck staple.
Balancing & Difficulty!
For the most part, the game feels fair, but some mechanics feel unbalanced. Elements like "Slay" can one-hit enemies and officers, making some builds significantly stronger than others. Additionally, having invincibility frames during dodges as an unlockable ability instead of a default feature feels like an unnecessary handicap in the early game.
Despite this, the game respects the player's time. You don't need an optimized build or maxed-out skill tree to complete a run, and even with failed attempts, you still make progress through meta upgrades.
DLC & Monetization!
Unfortunately, the game’s approach to DLC is disappointing. Many costumes, which are clearly reused assets from previous titles, have been stripped out and sold separately. Given that Koei Tecmo has a track record of aggressive monetization, there's concern that additional characters will also be locked behind paid DLC.
For this reason, I strongly recommend buying the base game on sale and ignoring the overpriced add-ons.
Final Thoughts!
Warriors: Abyss is an enjoyable surprise that successfully adapts the Musou formula into a roguelike structure. If you enjoy mindless hack-and-slash fun with layers of progression, this game will scratch that itch. However, its predictable boss order, some questionable balancing decisions, and Koei Tecmo’s DLC practices hold it back from being truly exceptional.
If you love Warriors games and roguelikes, Warriors: Abyss is an easy recommendation—just don’t buy into the overpriced DLC. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it successfully blends Musou action with roguelike progression, making it a fun and rewarding experience.
WARRIORS Abyss - 1.0 Launched on February 13, 2025!
Platform: PC (Steam) Price: $24.99 USD
Link:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3178350/WARRIORS_Abyss/
Through victory and defeat, traverse the merciless trials of hell.
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