There are no End of Abyss review scores yet: Metacritic shows no critic or user reviews as of September 28, 2026, and scores are expected around the October 1 launch. Hands-on previews have been consistently positive, praising the atmosphere, weighty twin-stick shooting and Scanner-driven exploration, while warning that the game is hard.
Review scores: not available yet
End of Abyss has no review scores before launch. Metacritic lists no critic reviews and no user reviews as of September 28, 2026. The Xbox Store also shows no user ratings yet.
Reviews are expected around the October 1, 2026 release. This page will add the Metacritic score and individual review scores as soon as they go live. Until then, the best evidence comes from hands-on previews.
What previewers said
Press played End of Abyss at Summer Game Fest in 2025 and 2026, usually in sessions of around 30 minutes. The reaction was consistently positive across outlets.
| Outlet | Takeaway |
|---|---|
| GameSpot | A fantastic, and hard, addition to a new era of survival horror; one of the previewer's most anticipated games of the year |
| Game Informer | Every shot feels deliberate; the previewer was looking forward to it more than expected |
| VDGMS | The best thing they played at Summer Game Fest 2025 |
| MonsterVine | A smart mix of survival horror, exploration and twin-stick combat |
| But Why Tho | Intuitive combat that encourages curiosity and experimentation |
| Mediadrop | Buy, with a qualifier, based on pre-release evidence |
What previews praised
- Atmosphere: GameSpot described the game as grey, blue, cold and mostly silent, which made it tense.
- Shooting: Game Informer found every shot deliberate and satisfying to line up.
- Scanner and map: MonsterVine called the Scanner the most important part of the demo.
- Creature design: But Why Tho called the creatures grotesque in the best way.
- Confidence: GameSpot said it felt refreshing despite drawing on familiar genres.
The developers' influences, from Metroid and Zelda to Alien and The Thing, came through clearly in these impressions. See games like End of Abyss.
Caveats and criticisms
The main warning is difficulty. GameSpot said plainly that the game is hard, with a trial-and-error feel in some fights. Enemies respawn whenever you save or die, which some players will find frustrating.
But Why Tho found the twin-stick controls difficult in tight corridors. GameSpot also noted that aiming requires being almost exactly on target. Mediadrop raised two open questions that only the full game can answer: whether enemy variety holds up, and whether backtracking stays interesting.
Is End of Abyss worth it?
At $29.99, or $26.99 with PS Plus before launch, End of Abyss is priced below full-price releases. Mediadrop argued that at this price it does not need to be a 40-hour blockbuster, only a focused experience that works, and leaned towards buying.
- Buy if you like survival horror, Metroidvanias or twin-stick shooters and the previews appeal to you.
- Wait if you want confirmation that the full game holds up, or if difficulty is a concern.
- Skip if twin-stick survival horror isn't for you.
That framework follows Mediadrop's buy, wait or skip verdict. Remember that every impression so far is based on demos, not the full game.
Who End of Abyss is for
The game suits players who enjoy exploring and piecing together a map, and who don't mind dying while they learn enemy patterns. It rewards careful play over speed. The developers said they wanted it to be quite accessible but still challenging.
It is also a strong fit for fans of Little Nightmares' atmosphere who want to fight back. The comparison page explains how the two differ.
What about length?
No official playtime has been announced. The developers have said the game "isn't all that short," and a Metroidvania structure with backtracking and hidden secrets adds time. See how long to beat for everything confirmed.
What the developers were aiming for
The team has been open about the experience it wanted. In the official "Meet the Creators" video, a developer described the game as quite accessible but still pretty challenging. They also said upgrading your character and finding new gear is more rewarding than grinding for experience points.
Co-founder Mattias Ottvall told VDGMS that the world should speak for itself, with players discovering information as they explore rather than being told what to do. Previews suggest that approach came through: several outlets praised how little the game explains and how much it lets you find.
What reviews will need to answer
Short demos can only show so much. These are the open questions that full reviews will settle:
- Whether enemy variety holds up over the whole game.
- Whether backtracking stays interesting across the facility.
- How long the game is, and how much there is to find.
- How the story resolves; its ending has not been revealed.
- How the PC version performs, since full requirements are still TBC.
This page will summarise the answers once reviews are published.
Frequently asked questions
When will End of Abyss reviews come out?
Around the October 1, 2026 launch. No review embargo date has been published.
What is the End of Abyss Metacritic score?
There isn't one yet. Metacritic shows no critic or user reviews as of September 28, 2026.
Is End of Abyss scary?
Previewers describe it as tense and unsettling, with grotesque creatures, dark areas and very little music while exploring. It is rated ESRB Teen for Blood and Violence.
Can I try it before buying?
No public demo is available. Hands-on play has been press-only.
This page only uses details from official store pages, developer statements and hands-on press previews. Anything unconfirmed before the October 1, 2026 launch is left out and will be added once verified. Last research pass: September 28, 2026.
Sources
References and further reading for this article.