Summary
Xbox Game PasstitlePhantom Abyssis getting a full release on January 25, publisher Devolver Digital has announced. The hectic roguelike with asynchronous multiplayer elements originallyreached Xbox Game Pass in October 2022.
Developed by Australian studio Team WIBY,Phantom Abysswas first launched as a Steam Early Access title in late June 2021. A year and a half later, the indie game was ported to the Xbox Series X/S. Its console version arrived in tandem with the game’s debut on Microsoft’s subscription service,makingPhantom Abyssa day-one Xbox Game Pass titlein late 2022.
Some 14 months later,Phantom Abyssis now finally ready for a full-fledged release, which has just been scheduled for January 25. The 1.0 version of theXbox Game Passtitle introduces several notable changes, including a fairly comprehensive overhaul of its Adventure Mode. The latest iteration of this mode will provide players with the option of choosing between several sets of temples to explore, with each of them offering themed challenges and distinct relics, among other things.
The nextPhantom Abyssupdate will also rework the game’s Classic Mode. Now called Abyss, the revised mode will still revolve around braving procedurally generated temple grounds in search of their hidden treasures. Each map comes with four areas that need to be overcome before the player can grab a new relic. Only one person can ever complete any given temple, while the rest will help them on their quest indirectly, by trying and failing to do the same. Namely, up to 20 phantoms replaying the mistakes of other players are still available for each level, offering key insight about what not to do.
The 1.0 version ofPhantom Abyssis also set to introduce some notable changes to its whip mechanics. Specifically, whips will now be unlockable by playing Adventure Mode and will no longer carry curses, while a variety of whip skins will be available as rewards for completing various challenges. The total number of cosmetics included in the 1.0 version of the game is still unconfirmed. But overall, the patch notes attached to the upcoming update indicate that Team WIBY managed to further refine theunique spin on the roguelike formula thatPhantom Abyssintroducedback in mid-2021.
The full-fledged release ofPhantom Abysspromises to further bolster the selection ofhigh-quality roguelikes on Xbox Game Pass. What remains to be seen is whether the end of the game’s early access period means that Team WIBY will soon have enough time to portPhantom Abyssto even more platforms, assuming the studio intends to keep supporting its picturesque roguelike instead of tackling a different project in the near future.
Phantom Abyss Update 1.0 Patch Notes
Adventure Mode Overhaul
The Adventure Mode has been completely overhauled giving explorers a choice of a series of temples to explore, each with a specific whip, relic, and series of challenges to overcome.
New Abyss Mode
The core Phantom Abyss experience, previously called Classic Mode, that challenges players to enter a temple and progress through all four areas within and collect the relic at the end. Only one person will ever complete each temple so time (and skill) are of the essence.
Whip Changes
Whips no longer carry curses and are unlocked by playing Adventure Mode while whips skins are rewarded through player op-in challenges.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the highest tier of Microsoft’s flagship game subscription service that offers over 100 game titles that you’re able to play with a single purchase, making it one of the most outstanding value propositions of the Xbox ecosystem to date.
