Phantom Abyss is an adventure game with a heavy emphasis on movement mechanics, semi-cooperative gameplay, and a great deal of trial and error. Conquer traps, collect whips, and escape an esoteric prison in this “Indi” adventure game published by the masters of originality, Devolver Digital.

Clever use of Wings can be used to circumvent entire rooms of obstacles. One of its most powerful utilities is being able to slow the game down safely to your own pace, giving you time to analyze a room while falling to find a safe path.

Jon Bitner Whether you're seeking another strategy game or bombastic Marvel adventure, something is bound to catch your eye.

If you've never played Phantom Abyss before, now is the perfect time to check it out, and likewise if you haven't played since early in the EA launch, there's a reason to return to it again. But, if you've been routinely playing this game for the past 18 months, you'll likely be a little disappointed that the 1.0 debut didn't come with a bit more meat on its bones, if you will.

Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn more

I think it’s quite fun to play in the moment, but it doesn’t quite have the One More Run hook of a proper roguelike. I found myself tabbing out to look at Twitter or check my emails between runs because I wasn’t feeling a strong pull to start the next level.

Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn more

Be warned, you only get one attempt at each temple and failure or settling for a lesser relic means you will never see that temple again… The cleverest players will use the phantom runs of failed attempts from other players to their advantage and avoid the missteps and mistakes that led to their doom.

Completing each run in the game’s Adventure mode unlocks a new kind of whip for you to use. Each new whip grants a single buff when equipped — one grants an extremely useful double jump, and another lets you drop coins you’ve collected in water to restore your health. There are loads of them, and once unlocked, can be used to augment any future runs you undertake. You can also spend coins collected in-level on temporary upgrades that will disappear after the run.

Underwater facility PATHOS-II has suffered intolerable isolation and you’re going to have to make some tough decisions. What makes sense? What is left to fight for?

The game has a lot of potential, had a lot during the beta as well, in both versions of the game I found Phantom Abyss myself frustrated but at least in the beta I was able to complete the game fully and could avoid traps.

Remember Phantom Abyss? You know, the asynchronous multiplayer game that tasks you with delving into ancient, labyrinthine tombs in order to find the treasures hidden within?

However, various restrictions in each dungeon go beyond simple obstacles like traps and spikes. These could be limited health, one-hit kills, or a temple Guardian: an ancient deity that chases you across the map trying to kill you. These restrictions are what keep you on your toes.

If you’re a fan of retro platformers, then this action-adventure game may still be worth checking out, but, unless you have a burning desire to play, it’s hard to fully recommend