| Phantom Abyss | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Team WIBY |
| Publisher(s) | Devolver Digital |
| Engine | Unreal Engine [1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Phantom Abyss is a 2024 action-adventure video game developed by Team WIBY and published by Devolver Digital. Players attempt to escape trap-filled temples using a whip, like in the Indiana Jones franchise.
Players explore ancient, trap-filled temples while equipped with a whip. It combines elements of action-adventure and 3D platform games using procedurally generated maps. [2] It features asynchronous multiplayer in that players play alongside phantoms of players who have previously attempted that level, similar to how ghost cars work in racing games. However, the phantoms can affect the current game by setting off traps and opening doors, for example. [3]
Some of the developers had previously made Mr. Shifty . When the team changed, they reincorporated as Team WIBY, an acronym for "Will It Be You?", a previous title for Phantom Abyss. [1] They are based in Brisbane, Australia. [4] The game designer, Ben Marrinan, wanted to explore some aspects of battle royale games, such as having multiple players competing against each other. Despite its similarities to the Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider franchises, Marrinan said he was not very familiar with them, though they remain influences. Some of the features, such as asynchronous multiplayer and procedural generation, came from having a small development team. [1] Phantom Abyss entered early access in June 2021. Devolver Digital released it for Windows and Xbox Series X/S on January 25, 2024. [5]
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 72/100 [6] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Destructoid | 7.5/10 [7] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 3.5/5 [8] |
| Shacknews | 7/10 [9] |
Phantom Abyss received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [10] TechRadar called it "mediocre-at-best". Though they enjoyed the premise, they found the maps repetitive and frustrating. [2] Polygon recommended it to fans of Mirror's Edge and said the gameplay is "undeniably fun" despite issues they had with the story, progression system, and user interface. [3] Sports Illustrated praised the adrenaline-fueled gameplay and said it is "endlessly satisfying" to get through a trap-filled room unscathed. [11] Though they enjoyed the level design and exploration, Hardcore Gamer felt that players were sometimes rushed through the rooms too fast to enjoy these aspects. [8] It won the award for excellence in technical design at the 2023 Australian Game Developer Awards. [12]
Quake is a series of first-person shooter video games, developed by id Software and, as of 2010, published by Bethesda Softworks. The series is composed of Quake and its nonlinear, standalone sequels, which vary in setting and plot.
Jetpac Refuelled is an arcade-style shooter video game developed by Rare and published by Microsoft Studios. It was released worldwide on the Xbox Live Arcade service on March 28, 2007. The game is the fourth instalment of the Jetman series and a remake of Ultimate Play the Game's 1983 ZX Spectrum game, Jetpac. The game follows Jetman as he attempts to rebuild his rocket in order to explore different planets, whilst simultaneously defending himself from hostile aliens.
Spelunky is a 2008 source-available 2D platform game created by independent developer Derek Yu and released as freeware for Microsoft Windows. It was remade for the Xbox 360 in 2012, with ports of the new version following for various platforms, including back to Microsoft Windows. The player controls a spelunker who explores a series of caves while collecting treasure, saving damsels, fighting enemies, and dodging traps. The caves are procedurally generated, making each run-through of the game unique.
Uncharted is an action-adventure video game series and media franchise published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and developed by Naughty Dog. Created by Amy Hennig, the Uncharted franchise follows a group of treasure hunters who travel across the world to uncover various historical mysteries. The series features historical fiction, elements of fantasy and folklore, and fictional characters alongside real-world historical figures and events. In the main series, players control Nathan Drake; in the expansion, players control Chloe Frazer.
Far Cry 3 is a 2012 first-person shooter game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the third main installment in the Far Cry series after Far Cry 2. The game takes place on the fictional Rook Islands, a tropical archipelago which can be freely explored by players. Gameplay focuses on combat and exploration. Players can use a variety of weapons to defeat human enemies and hostile wildlife, and the game features elements found in role-playing games such as skill trees and experience. After a vacation goes awry, protagonist Jason Brody must save his friends, who have been kidnapped by pirates, and escape from the island and its unhinged inhabitants.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a 2012 turn-based tactics video game that was developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K. It presents a "reimagined" version of the 1994 strategy game X-COM: UFO Defense—also known as XCOM: Enemy Unknown. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is set during an alien invasion of Earth in an alternative version of 2015; the player controls an elite, multinational, paramilitary organization called XCOM and commands troops in a series of turn-based tactical missions. Between missions, the player directs the research and development of technologies from recovered alien technology and captured prisoners, expands XCOM's base of operations, manages finances, and monitors and responds to alien activity.
Worms Revolution is a 2D artillery turn-based tactics video game developed by Team17 and is part of the Worms series. It was released on PlayStation 3, Windows via Steam and Xbox 360 in October 2012. An OS X version was released on June 6, 2013. A PlayStation Vita version including all three previously released downloadable packs and titled Worms Revolution Extreme was released on October 8, 2013. This version of the game was included as part of a promotional bundle alongside the PlayStation TV system. Like previous games in the series, gameplay is 2D and turn-based, but it is rendered with a new 3D engine. There are both single player and multiplayer modes with up to four players online or local hotseat.
Uncharted: Fight for Fortune is a 2012 digital collectible card game co-developed by Bend Studio and One Loop Games, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Vita. A spin-off of the Uncharted series, players engage in turn-based matches using cards themed after characters and elements of the series. The original release featured both a single-player campaign and asynchronous multiplayer, but the latter was closed down in 2019 with the Vita's online functions.
Dr. Luigi is a 2013 puzzle video game developed by Arika and Nintendo SPD, and published by Nintendo for the Wii U console. It is the sixth game in the Dr. Mario series and is part of the larger Mario franchise. The player must clear a field of invading viruses using pill capsules to eliminate them, in a tile-matching fashion. The game offers four modes: "Operation L", which utilizes L-shaped pills; "Virus Buster", using the Wii U GamePad and touchscreen; "Retro Remedy" with standard Dr. Mario gameplay; and local and online multiplayer options, online utilizing the defunct Nintendo Network Service.
Eve: Valkyrie was a multiplayer dogfighting shooter game set in the Eve Online universe that was designed to use virtual reality headset technology. Originally launched for Microsoft Windows for use with the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, CCP Games had announced they plan to enable cross-platform play between the three major VR systems: the Oculus Rift, the HTC Vive, and the PlayStation VR. Released in March 2016, the game had two game mode options: Chronicles could be played in single player, while Combat allowed eight by eight combat PvP missions. Reviews generally criticized the limited plot and limitations of single player mode, although the described "arcade experience" was praised for having intuitive controls and "exhilarating" dogfighting features, with PC Powerplay dubbing it "arguably the best VR experience currently available for the [Oculus Rift] platform."
Abyss Odyssey is a platform action-adventure video game developed by ACE Team and published by Atlus. It was released in July 2014 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows, and for the PlayStation 4 in July 2015.
Absolver is a martial arts-themed action role-playing video game developed by Sloclap and published by Devolver Digital for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. In the game, players control warrior characters who fight other players and computer-controlled characters across the fictional land of Adal to prove their worthiness of joining the Absolver peacekeepers. The game's story is focused on the human development of the characters as they fight to find their place in the collapsed empire. The character's fighting moves are customized in a "combat deck" of cards, with each card assigned to a move. Players earn cards, equipment, and weapons by progressing through the game.
Reigns is a 2016 strategy video game developed by Nerial and published by Devolver Digital. In the game, players control a medieval king who they must help rule for as long as possible. The monarch receives petitions and questions from advisers, which are represented by cards. The player can choose between two responses to the adviser, which has an effect on one of the kingdom's four aspects. If one of the aspects becomes too unbalanced, the game ends and the player starts another reign with a new monarch. To win the game, the player must break a curse created by the Devil, who visits the king across several reigns.
City of Brass is a single-player first-person dungeon crawl video game, set in a procedurally generated, Arabian Nights-themed city of interconnecting corridors, courtyards and rooms. Players assume the role of a thief, fighting to reach a treasure hidden in the heart of a mythical city filled with traps and enemies. It was developed by Australian independent video game studio Uppercut Games and was announced on 6 July 2017 as being in development for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The Windows version was released on Steam via its Early Access program on 18 September 2017.
Reigns: Game of Thrones is a 2018 strategy game developed by Nerial and published by Devolver Digital. The third instalment in and a spin-off from the Reigns series, it is based on the television series Game of Thrones. Reigns: Game of Thrones was released in October 2018 for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows. A version for Nintendo Switch was released in April 2019.
It Takes Two is a 2021 cooperative action-adventure game developed by Hazelight Studios and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in March 2021, and was released for Nintendo Switch in November 2022.
Ara: History Untold is an turn-based grand strategy video game developed by Oxide Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game was announced during Xbox and Bethesda Showcase 2022. It is about building and leading a nation throughout alternate history. The game was released for Microsoft Windows on September 24, 2024.
Wizard with a Gun is a 2023 twin-stick shooter video game developed by Galvanic Games and published by Devolver Digital. It includes elements of survival games, such as collecting resources and base-building. It is available for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and a port to the Nintendo Switch is planned later.