Key Points
- Luna Abyss blends fast-paced FPS action with bullet-hell and platforming elements.
- Critics highlight the game's striking art direction and atmospheric sound design.
- Debate exists over whether the combat becomes too easy due to mechanics like auto-lock.
- Boss fights are frequently cited as a high point, offering more demanding encounters.
Embarking on its journey from initial reveal in 2023, Luna Abyss has now been dissected by the press following an embargo lift, offering a look at Bonsai Collective's debut title. This science-fiction FPS merges intense shooting with exploration, set in the abandoned city of Greymont on Luna where players control Fawkes, a prisoner seeking to shorten their sentence.
What the press agrees on
The consensus points to Luna Abyss presenting a distinct artistic vision, characterized by subterranean and industrial environments often rendered in striking red and black hues. Its sound design, including ecclesiastical-style music, contributes to a captivating, mystical atmosphere. Players take on the role of Fawkes, exploring Greymont alongside an AI companion named Aylin, with narrative progression unfolding through environmental storytelling and collectibles rather than traditional cutscenes. The game features a linear structure across six chapters, estimated to take around eight hours to complete. Core gameplay emphasizes constant movement and reaction, utilizing a heat-based firing system for four primary weapons and incorporating abilities like double jump and teleportation for enhanced mobility. Boss fights are consistently mentioned as a strong suit, effectively testing player mechanics.
Where opinions split
While the visual style and atmosphere are widely lauded, the press is divided on the game's core combat challenge. Some outlets find the auto-lock system and certain player abilities, such as dash and double jump, make encounters less demanding than anticipated, potentially diminishing the intensity associated with bullet-hell mechanics. In contrast, other takes suggest that while accessible, the gameplay demands constant motion and spatial awareness akin to titles like DOOM Eternal, with bosses providing the primary test of skill. Enemy variety is another point of contention, with some noting limitations, while others focus on the challenge presented by enemy projectile patterns. The narrative, though original in premise, is described by some as predictable with unclear elements, while others find the sci-fi universe and environments intriguing.
What is still unclear
While the core gameplay and presentation are well-documented, specific details regarding the full scope of post-launch content, potential downloadable expansions, and any planned future platform releases beyond PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S remain subjects of speculation.