Warriors: Abyss Review
OUR RATING: 7.5/10
Ever wondered what would happen if you tossed your favorite Dynasty Warriors characters into the depths of hell and sprinkled in some roguelike elements? Warriors: Abyss has arrived to answer that burning question, and boy, does it deliver a fiery experience.
As a long-time fan of the Warriors series, I was skeptical when I first heard about this unexpected mashup. But after sinking countless hours into the game, I can confidently say that Warriors: Abyss offers a refreshing take on the tried-and-true Musou formula. Let’s dive into the infernal depths and see what makes this game tick.
Picture this: the underworld is in chaos, and King Enma, the ruler of hell, is in a bit of a pickle. An ancient god named Gouma has escaped its fiery prison and taken control, leaving Enma powerless. What’s a deity to do? Why, summon legendary warriors from throughout history to clean up the mess, of course!
This premise sets the stage for an addictive gameplay loop that had me coming back for more. You’ll choose from a roster of familiar faces from both Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors, then dive into the depths of hell to battle hordes of demons and restore order to the afterlife.
At its core, Warriors: Abyss is still a Musou game. You’ll be hacking and slashing your way through waves of enemies, pulling off flashy combos, and feeling like an unstoppable force of nature. But that’s where the similarities end, and the roguelike elements come into play.
The game is divided into four realms, each consisting of eight floors. Your goal? Make it to the end and defeat Gouma. Sounds simple, right? Well, not so fast. Each run is different, with randomized layouts, enemies, and power-ups. This keeps things fresh and exciting, even after multiple playthroughs.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Warriors: Abyss is the character recruitment system. As you progress through the floors, you’ll have the opportunity to add other warriors to your team. These allies can be summoned during battle as part of your combo finishers, adding an extra layer of strategy to the combat.
Now, let’s talk about the roguelike elements that really set Warriors: Abyss apart from its Musou brethren. The game features a robust progression system that had me hooked from the start.
Each run earns you Karma Embers, a currency used to unlock new characters and permanent upgrades. This creates a satisfying sense of progress, even when you fail to reach the end. I found myself constantly weighing the decision to push forward or retreat and spend my hard-earned Karma on upgrades.
The emblem system adds another layer of depth to character builds. These power-ups come in various types, such as strength, agility, and elemental affinities. Collecting emblems during a run can dramatically alter your playstyle, encouraging experimentation and adaptation.
Visually, Warriors: Abyss is a bit of a mixed bag. While the character models and animations are faithful to their original appearances in Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors, the environments can feel a bit bland and repetitive. However, the flashy combat effects and over-the-top Musou attacks more than make up for it.
I played the game on PC, and I’m happy to report that the performance was smooth and stable throughout my playtime. The developers have done an excellent job optimizing the game, ensuring that even when the screen is filled with enemies and particle effects, the frame rate remains consistent.
Warriors: Abyss may not be perfect, but it’s a bold and refreshing take on the Musou formula. The roguelike elements add a layer of depth and replayability that the series has been missing, while still maintaining the core hack-and-slash gameplay that fans love.
If you’re a die-hard Warriors fan or simply curious about trying something new, I highly recommend giving Warriors: Abyss a shot. At its budget-friendly price point, it offers a surprisingly deep and engaging experience that will keep you coming back for “just one more run” time and time again.
