- End of Abyss release date: October 1, 2026, confirmed for launch day.
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC via Epic Games Store.
- Price: $29.99, with a 10% pre-order discount for PlayStation Plus members.
- Developer: Section 9 Interactive, a Swedish studio founded by Little Nightmares veterans.
- Genre: 3D sci-fi horror twin-stick Metroidvania with resource management.
End of Abyss Release Date and Launch Details
The End of Abyss release date is officially October 1, 2026 — today marks launch day for one of the most talked-about horror debuts of the year. Developed by Section 9 Interactive out of Malmö, Sweden, the game puts you in the boots of Sel, a technician sent into a silent, malfunctioning underground facility where everything wants you dead.
Video Highlights:
- Sel is a technician investigating a broken underground facility
- The game blends twin-stick shooting with Metroidvania structure
- Creature design draws comparisons to sci-fi horror classic The Thing
- Boss fights demand pattern memorization, not button mashing
- Debut title from ex-Tarsier Studios developers
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 1, 2026 |
| Developer | Section 9 Interactive (Malmö, Sweden) |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC (Epic Games Store) |
| Price | $29.99 |
| Pre-Order Bonus | 10% discount for PlayStation Plus members until launch day |
| Genre | 3D sci-fi horror, twin-stick Metroidvania |
If you were waiting for reviews, October 1, 2026 is the day the embargo lifts and the game goes live across all platforms. PlayStation Plus members who pre-ordered locked in the 10% discount, but the base $29.99 price remains an unusually accessible entry point for a game with this level of atmosphere.
Why the Studio Pedigree Matters
Section 9 Interactive may be a new name, but the team behind it is not. The studio was co-founded by brothers Mathias and Marcus Ottwall alongside Gustav Heinerwall — all three previously worked at Tarsier Studios, the team behind Little Nightmares and this year's Reanimal.
When previewers say End of Abyss "feels like Little Nightmares," that is not a coincidence. It is literally the same design DNA, transplanted from side-scrolling dread into a top-down sci-fi horror framework.
| Studio Comparison | Tarsier Studios | Section 9 Interactive |
|---|---|---|
| Known For | Little Nightmares, Reanimal | End of Abyss (debut) |
| Horror Style | Helpless-child atmospheric horror | Combat-capable sci-fi horror |
| Perspective | Side-scrolling 2.5D | Top-down 3D twin-stick |
| Core Loop | Puzzle-and-run | Explore, fight, backtrack |
Gameplay Systems at Launch
Unlike classic Resident Evil-style survival horror, End of Abyss plays closer to a top-down Metroid experience. You move with the left stick, aim in full 360 degrees with the right, and fight back — badly at first, growing stronger the deeper you descend.
Plasma Gun
- Infinite ammo starting weapon
- Low stopping power early on
- Reliable fallback when resources run dry
Shotgun
- Built from limited crafted ammo
- Handles tough enemies and crowds
- Core to boss encounters
Utility Gear
- Flares light areas and distract enemies
- Grenades for burst damage
- Scanner tool unlocks hidden paths
| Weapon / Tool | Ammo | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma Gun | Infinite | Basic damage, safe fallback |
| Shotgun | Limited, crafted | Tough enemies, crowd control |
| Flares | Limited | Lighting, enemy distraction |
| Grenades | Limited, crafted | Burst damage, boss pressure |
| Scanner | Unlimited | Exploration, hidden secrets |
Dying respawns every single enemy in the compound. That shortcut you unlocked last run? Expect to fight through it again the hard way. Resource management is a genuine pressure here, not a Metroidvania checkbox.
What Previewers Are Saying
Reception ahead of launch has been notably strong for a debut studio. One preview called End of Abyss one of the most anticipated games from Summer Game Fest, while another described it as one of the most distinctive and unsettling experiences on the horizon.
Grab It on Your Platform
Choose PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC via the Epic Games Store at the $29.99 price point. PS Plus members can still check for any remaining launch-day discount eligibility.
Learn the Twin-Stick Basics
Master 360-degree aiming early. The plasma gun is weak, but precise kiting keeps you alive while you learn enemy patterns.
Ration Crafted Ammo
Save shotgun rounds and grenades for the ooze-based hulking bosses — melee-range threats that grab environmental objects like steel beams mid-fight.
Embrace the Backtrack
Use the scanner and unlockable abilities to open sealed corridors, and expect to redo routes after every death.
Hands-on previews describe a hulking, gooey, ooze-based boss with brutal melee attacks that grabs a steel beam for extended reach halfway through the fight. Winning takes real pattern memorization, not button mashing.
Launch Day Checklist
Day One Priorities:
- Purchase on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or Epic Games Store
- Complete the opening facility section
- Learn plasma gun kiting and aiming
- Craft your first batch of shotgun ammo
- Unlock the scanner for exploration routes
Treat early deaths as intel. Every respawn repopulates the compound, but you keep knowledge of enemy placements and layout shortcuts — the loop rewards persistence over raw firepower.
FAQ
Q: When is the End of Abyss release date?
End of Abyss releases on October 1, 2026. It launched simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC through the Epic Games Store.
Q: How much does End of Abyss cost?
The game is priced at $29.99. PlayStation Plus members received a 10% pre-order discount that ran until launch day.
Q: Who developed End of Abyss?
Section 9 Interactive, a debut studio based in Malmö, Sweden, co-founded by Mathias and Marcus Ottwall and Gustav Heinerwall — all former Tarsier Studios developers who worked on Little Nightmares and Reanimal.
Q: Is End of Abyss on Steam?
No. The PC version is available through the Epic Games Store. The console versions cover PS5 and both Xbox Series X and S.