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Take another look at Phantom Abyss in this latest trailer for the co-op multiplayer platformer game. Version 1.

Going through new temples every time keeps things feeling fresh, and the rush to get idols and try to complete each temple with a tight and addicting gameplay loop is a lot of fun. And it is great to play on the Steam Deck!

Watch and learn from the mistakes of up to 20 phantoms including your Steam friends that have attempted the same temple and steal their whips as they fall.

Developer Team WIBY and publisher Devolver Digital have created some real challenges as you duck, dodge, and slide your way through. Is it enough to keep players engaged and having fun?

Despite levels being procedurally generated, each map has similar layouts and obstacles, with most of the changes being small, like adding poison gas or dangerous enemies. This repetition means that exploring the ancient tombs gets old pretty quickly. 

Lucky can save you in a pinch, but the random 5% activation chance makes it less consistent than receiving a straight health upgrade, or a good movement upgrade that would help you avoid taking damage in the first place.

There is also asynchronous multiplayer, which takes the form of these phantoms you will see while running around temples. These are players who have completed the temple before, and you are seeing their ghosts getting as far as they did before dying.

This is a blessing that is more useful the later you are in a run. Guardians on their own aren't particularly challenging to deal with, but when you have to dodge both them and the temple's hazards, they can be a nuisance.

, although its cryptic nature leads to more confusion than any sense of triumph. The most obvious step forward is via claiming the relic at the end of a temple, which is then placed upon one Phantom Abyss of the dozens of altars in the starting hub section. What isn’t immediately clear are the requirements for unlocking unique relics, as different tiers are reserved for deeper dives into the temple, or by completing runs defended by each of the three guardian types.

While the ability gives you some pretty good mid-air horizontal movement, it is outclassed by most other movement options. Not a useless ability, but it doesn't have much utility either.

Soul Armor's best use is as a panic button; if you find yourself overwhelmed with Guardians or traps, or are falling into a bottomless pit, activate your armor and get yourself to safety ASAP, because your invulnerability will not last very long. Your charges are limited, so don't just waste it on barreling through simple traps.

As it currently stands, there are already many thrills to be had in hunting for treasure while the temple’s perils hunt you, which makes for an exciting prospect for Phantom Abyss

Phantom Abyss is a game where players try to overcome dangerous temples filled with hidden traps, chasms, and enemies in order to reach the prize at the very end. Each player gets one shot to get the prize.