Abyssus is a fast-paced roguelike that throws you into the deep sea to explore the mysteries of the long-lost ruins. The game blends an eerie underwater atmosphere with relentless waves of enemies and twisting, maze-like chambers that constantly keep you on edge.
If you’re just starting out, the game can feel overwhelming. The arenas are tight, enemies can swarm you instantly, and resources always feel scarce. This guide covers some of the best beginner-friendly tips and tricks to help you not only survive your first few runs but also start making real progress in Abyssus.
Abyssus: Where to Find Keys
If players are wondering how to obtain Keys to open Chests and Vaults in Abyssus, here's how to find these items.
Save That Shot
In Abyssus, survival is all about how well you manage your limited resources. Healing syringes are best saved for the toughest encounters, like late-stage bosses or elite enemies. If you really want to conserve health, use the environment to your advantage. You can duck behind cover, retreat to high ground, and break line of sight when possible to minimize incoming damage.
Before using your own consumables, always scout the room first. You can stumble upon free heals after boss fights or in between-room spaces. These can appear as items on the floor or as rewards from chests.
Solo Runs Are Easier
While you can always team up with friends in Abyssus, solo runs are much more forgiving. Enemy health pools and spawn counts are noticeably lower when you’re alone. This makes encounters faster and less punishing. Boss fights also become more manageable, since you won’t need to coordinate with others to deal with mechanics or enemy waves.
If you’re struggling to make progress in co-op, try playing solo first. These runs are a great way to unlock weapons, blessings, and upgrades at your own pace. Once you’ve strengthened your arsenal and become more familiar with the game’s mechanics, you can return to co-op play better prepared.
Don't be discouraged by dying, you can still earn Soul Fragments during your runs. You can spend these fragments on permanent upgrades that will make your character stronger for the next run.
Prioritize Survival Upgrades
Between runs, you’ll collect Soul Fragments that can be spent at the Soul Wheel in camp. Here, you can unlock new weapons, abilities, and permanent upgrades that make each future run easier.
When starting out, prioritize upgrades that improve your survivability. Upgrading your maximum health and healing syringes gives you the durability to survive longer runs, which in turn means more practice, more loot, and ultimately more powerful upgrades down the line.
Clear Objectives First
In many combat rooms in Abyssus, there will be a specific objective, like charging pillars, destroying constructs, or shutting down spawn points. In these cases, enemies will keep appearing until you finish the objective.
Don’t waste your time fighting the endless waves of enemies, focus on the objective first. Once it’s complete, enemy spawns will stop, and you can clean up what’s left at your own pace.
Boss fights in Abyssus can be pure chaos, with dozens of enemies filling the room. It’s tempting to take down the horde first, but it’s a good idea to resist the urge. Similarly, your best strategy is to focus fire on the boss, especially on their weak points (usually glowing areas near their core).
Stay on the Move
The most important rule of Abyssus is to never stop moving. The rooms are intentionally small, making it easy to get cornered or surrounded. If you stand still for even a moment, you’ll quickly find yourself overwhelmed by enemies coming from every direction.
Before leaving a room, take a moment to look around. You can often find gold pots, and hidden chests. Gold is easy to overlook, but every little bit adds up.
The safest way to fight is often to move backwards while firing. This lets you maintain distance while chipping away at enemies. Use your dash and double-jump to constantly reposition yourself. Make sure to cycle between high ground and low ground, depending on the situation.
Don’t get too predictable. Moving backwards constantly increases the risk of backing straight into a different enemy or a hazard. Switch it up and never stay in one place long enough for enemies to box you in.
Mind the Fall Damage
You wouldn’t expect fall damage in an underwater ruin, but Abyssus makes it a real hazard. Dropping from high places typically costs around 5-10 HP, which doesn’t sound like much, until that’s the difference between surviving or dying mid-run.
Thankfully, you can negate fall damage with a well-timed mid-air dash. Get in the habit of dashing just before landing if you accidentally drop from a dangerous height. The game’s level design sometimes tempts you with shortcuts that look safe but aren’t. If you’re unsure whether a platform is solid, it’s better to play it safe.
Synergy Starts with Variety
One of the most exciting things about Abyssus is experimenting with different builds. As you progress through a run, you’ll be able to choose from Aspects, and Blessings that alter your weapons and abilities.
When you’re just starting out, resist the temptation to fully commit to one playstyle right away. Instead, diversify your kit. Make sure you have upgrades spread across your primary fire, secondary fire, and ability slots. This gives you flexibility and makes sure you’re not stuck with a weak spot in your loadout. Later in the run, you can start focusing on a single element (like Fire, Ice, or Tentacles) to create powerful synergistic effects and unlock major blessings.
- Released
- August 12, 2025
- Developer(s)
- DoubleMoose Games
- Publisher(s)
- The Arcade Crew
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
- Single-player
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Roguelite
