PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews

What you need to know is that the frame rate is up to the task the action throws at it, and the controls are slick and feel really good. You’re a fast and ridiculously competent hero, and the power fantasy in this game is very real. Koei Tecmo no doubt developed this quickly after seeing how popular Vampire Survivors is, and while it’s not exactly pushing boundaries, the team has done a great job bringing its exceptional Warriors properties to the formula. This is a game I’ll be returning to for quite some time, as stress relief if nothing else.

Warriors: Abyss wastes no time giving players a tangible story and also appears to lack depth in its opening moments, but that also doesn’t matter. Instead, it focuses on translating the Musou experience into a tactile and fast-paced roguelike adventure and it excels at doing just that, rewarding players the more they put into it. Providing a thrilling and refreshing take on the Warriors series, it is not to be missed.

After the gameplay really sunk in, I ended up having a blast with WARRIORS: Abyss but it definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea.

Warriors: Abyss may be what many would call a “small game,” but that doesn’t take away from its quality or fun factor. The game prioritizes efficiency and fluidity over sheer visual impact. These technical choices make for a fast-paced and chaotic, yet consistently smooth experience; no small feat given the overwhelming number of models on screen. The run-to-run progression keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, ensuring that every new game is always different and scheming. In its genre, Warriors: Abyss can be defined a success.

Warriors: Abyss blends musou action with roguelike elements, featuring fast-paced battles and over 100 playable characters. The fluid combat and engaging progression stand out, but repetition and a lack of variety in environments may limit the experience in the long run.

Dive into Warriors: Abyss and you'll be met with a huge playable roster, frenetic action and a wealth of replayability value. The sights may not be as pleasant and the story is non-existent, but shifting the Warriors franchises into a rogue-like works surprisingly well.

Truthfully, Warriors: Abyss feels like Koei Tecmo tried to cook up its own budget Hades from the leftovers of last night's Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors. That's not to say it fails to sate the appetite, though. Despite being a bit rough around the edges, Abyss is a solid and successfully addictive foray into the roguelike genre, and the series' signature hack-and-slash ingredients blend right in.

Warriors: Abyss is an addictive roguelite that successfully blends elements from acclaimed titles, carving out its own place in the genre. Combat is a thrill. Taking on hundreds at a time with an array of huge, diverse attacks leads to a compelling system that can quickly get its hooks in you. However, fights can get a little messy in the latter stages of the game removing some of the deliberate actions which take place in the earlier portions. Despite its dated visuals, this roguelite remains a fun and engaging experience.

Something of a lovechild between Hades and Dynasty Warriors, Warriors: Abyss is fun while it lasts but doesn't have the staying power of the best roguelikes. Still, with over 100 characters to play as and some neat ideas up its sleeve, it's well worth a try, particularly if you're a Warriors or a roguelike fan. Even better if you're both.

Warriors: Abyss may stumble in its open-ended, cookie-cutter story and cut-and-paste boss battles, but the replayability that comes from its combat and the customization of its multitude of characters and builds helped keep me slashing through thousands of enemies for dozens of hours of roguelite runs. It's always great to see a long-running series like Dynasty Warriors experimenting with new genres because it often leads to innovation, and Abyss does succeed overall with adapting the ideas of a massive roster of characters and over-the-top Mousu action. However, not enough of the other elements of a genuinely excellent action roguelite line up here to make it the kind I return to for months.