Games that never end have mostly become a mobile trend, largely due to the success of titles like Temple Run. Sega later refined the formula with its Zaxxon revamp, but Abyss Attack takes the retro shooter genre in a fully endless direction. The result is surprisingly strong.
An undersea vertical scrolling shooter, Abyss Attack is visually impressive and offers more depth than expected. It includes all the genre staples, such as multiple submarines to unlock and use, a wide range of standard and super weapons, large bosses, and constant bullet-heavy action. What sets it apart is its multi-goal structure. Instead of simply pushing toward an end boss, the game is packed with mini and major mission objectives.
Most of these objectives follow familiar arcade patterns, such as reaching certain distances, defeating a set number of enemies, time-based challenges, and boss-related goals. Some objectives can be completed in a single run, while others require repeated play sessions to build up enough progress. This system works very well with the game’s old-school shooter mechanics.
The presentation helps elevate the experience even further. The soundtrack is better than expected, and the undersea environments evolve smoothly as players progress deeper. Enemy designs lean heavily into a biological deep-sea theme, often featuring eerie glows. Boss encounters stand out in particular, with creative designs inspired by jellyfish, tentacles, and other unsettling sea creatures.
Abyss Attack offers both touch and tilt controls. While tilt controls are available, they feel too imprecise during intense action. Touch controls are more reliable, even if they can occasionally obstruct the screen on smaller devices. Firing is automatic, and players can collect a variety of interesting weapons from defeated enemies.
Overall, Abyss Attack stays true to its arcade roots while successfully blending in modern mobile design elements. It looks and sounds great, plays smoothly, and avoids overwhelming players with aggressive microtransactions. The gameplay is simple but polished, and the constant stream of goals and achievements makes it highly addictive for shooter fans.