Path of the Abyss Emerges from Early Access with Pen-Drawn Dungeons and Formation Panel Combat

A small ruin in East Weltden has become a death trap. Investigation teams sent to examine reports of increased monster activity have vanished without a trace. Now, skilled adventurers are drawn to the location by rumors of a sealed giant and the promise of glory for anyone who can bring back its head. This is the premise of Path of the Abyss, a first-person dungeon crawler that has officially launched on Steam after spending over a year in Early Access.

Into the Abyss

Path of the Abyss distinguishes itself immediately through its striking visual style. The dungeons are rendered as black-and-white pen drawings, giving the game a distinctive look that sets it apart from the typical fantasy RPG aesthetic. Players navigate these hand-drawn corridors in first-person, moving through grid-based environments while uncovering the mysteries beneath East Weltden.

The story centers on adventurers seeking fortune and fame by exploring the ruins where others have failed. The deeper players venture, the greater the rewards, but also the greater the danger lurking in the shadows.

Building Your Party

Players assemble a four-character party with complete creative control. Each adventurer can be customized with unique names, character portraits, and most importantly, one of four distinct races. Elves bring powerful magical attacks to the table, while dwarves possess greater stamina for prolonged dungeon expeditions. The other races offer their own specializations, allowing players to build parties that complement their preferred playstyle.

Character development remains entirely in the player's hands. With 8 abilities, 5 stats, and a variety of skills and equipment to choose from, each party member can be molded into the exact role needed for survival in the depths.

Formation Panel Combat

The combat system is where Path of the Abyss truly shines. Battles play out in real-time, but players can pause at any moment to analyze enemy intentions and plan their response. This tactical layer transforms encounters from simple stat checks into thoughtful engagements where positioning and timing matter.

The Formation Panel sits at the heart of combat strategy. This nine-position grid allows players to place skills strategically, creating synergies between party members. Where a skill is positioned affects how it interacts with other abilities, adding a puzzle-like element to party optimization. Players spend Morale and Mana to execute abilities, requiring careful resource management throughout each dungeon run.

The Dungeon Loop

Path of the Abyss follows a satisfying gameplay loop. Adventurers explore the ruins, defeat monsters, and collect loot before returning to the town of Wellmort to recover and resupply. At Woldken's shop, newly found equipment can be appraised to reveal its true properties. The Giant's Backbone tavern offers rest and food buffs for the next expedition, while the Ordnan Temple provides an expensive but useful alternative for healing that preserves the party's corruption status.

The Mana Corruption and Control Rate mechanics add strategic depth to exploration. As players push deeper into the dungeon, these values increase, making enemies more powerful. However, greater danger comes with greater rewards, as loot quality scales with difficulty. This risk-reward balance encourages players to constantly evaluate how far they can push before retreating to town.

Random events scattered throughout the dungeons keep exploration fresh. Treasure chests, debris piles hiding valuable items, and mysterious monoliths offering temporary buffs all await those brave enough to seek them out.

A Warm Reception

The Steam community has responded enthusiastically to Path of the Abyss. With a Very Positive rating based on 598 user reviews and a 93% approval rate, the game has found its audience among dungeon crawler enthusiasts. At just £5.89, it offers substantial value for fans of the genre looking for a unique take on first-person dungeon exploration.

Path of the Abyss is available now on Steam for Windows. For more indie RPGs, check out Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 which received major awards recognition.

For more dungeon crawler news, see Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.