- End of Abyss releases on October 1, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
- On PC, the game is sold through the Epic Games Store and published by Epic.
- The Xbox listing prices the game at $29.99.
- It is a top-down twin-stick shooter with Metroidvania exploration from ex-Little Nightmares developers.
- No Steam release has been announced at launch.
End of Abyss Release Date: When Does It Launch?
End of Abyss is finally here. After months of quiet buildup, Section 9 Interactive's debut horror title launches on October 1, 2026, landing right at the start of the spooky season. For everyone asking when they can finally descend into the underground facility, the wait is over.
Video Highlights:
- End of Abyss launches October 1, 2026
- Developed by Section 9 Interactive, a Malmö studio founded by Little Nightmares veterans
- Top-down twin-stick shooter mixed with Metroidvania exploration
- $29.99 price point on Xbox
Here is the full launch breakdown:
| Platform | Release Date | Store | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 | October 1, 2026 | PlayStation Store | $29.99 (listed parity expected) |
| Xbox Series X | October 1, 2026 | Microsoft Store | $29.99 |
| Xbox Series S | October 1, 2026 | Microsoft Store | $29.99 |
| PC | October 1, 2026 | Epic Games Store | $29.99 (regional pricing may vary) |
| Steam | Not announced | — | No sign of a Steam release at launch |
If you play exclusively on Steam, be aware that End of Abyss is published by Epic and sold only through the Epic Games Store on PC. There is currently no confirmed Steam listing for the October 1, 2026 launch.
The Studio Behind the Game
Section 9 Interactive may be a new name, but the people behind it are not. The Malmö-based studio was co-founded by Mattias Ottvall, Marcus Ottvall, and Gustav Heinerwall — all veterans of Tarsier Studios who worked on Little Nightmares. That pedigree matters: this team built some of the most oppressive, atmospheric horror of the last decade.
The key difference is perspective. Where Tarsier's games leaned on cinematic side-scrolling set pieces, End of Abyss is played from a top-down camera, trading camera angles for a constant sense of vulnerability — you can see the mutants coming, but you cannot always stop them.
| Aspect | Little Nightmares (Tarsier) | End of Abyss (Section 9) |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Side-scrolling 2.5D | Top-down |
| Combat | Mostly evasion | Twin-stick shooting |
| Structure | Linear chapters | Metroidvania exploration |
| Tone | Fairy-tale dread | Industrial sci-fi horror |
The founders have cited Alien and The Thing as formative influences. Expect grimy industrial corridors, shambling mutants, and atmosphere over jump scares — a deliberate homage to late-70s/80s practical-effects horror.
You Play as Sel: Combat & Exploration Basics
You control Sel, a young combat technician dispatched to investigate disturbances of unknown origin. She is not a chosen one — just a professional doing her job, wearing an instantly recognizable old-school diving-style helmet that reads clearly even from the far-back camera.
Pistol
- Infinite ammo
- Hold to charge a powerful shot
- Charging temporarily disables firing
Shotgun
- Limited ammo
- High burst damage
- Crowd control tool
Flares
- Lights up dark areas
- Distracts enemies
- Tactical repositioning
Grenades
- Short or long toss
- Area damage
- Great vs clusters
Everything feeds into a crafting system: materials collected from the world and from defeated enemies are spent at stations for ammo, gear, and permanent upgrades. A scanner updates your map with useful icons and reveals hidden areas.
Expect locked doors, keys, backtracking, and shortcuts — classic Metroidvania structure. As Sel grows stronger, previously sealed corridors open up. Every dead end is a promise of a return trip.
Launch Day Setup Guide
Follow these steps to hit the ground running on October 1, 2026.
Pick Your Platform
Choose between PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC via Epic Games Store. Confirm your region's store listing and the $29.99 price before launch day.
Preload or Purchase Early
Download the game ahead of the October 1 unlock so you can descend the moment servers flip the switch.
Learn the Core Controls
One stick moves Sel, the other aims in full 360°. Practice the dodge roll early — it is your primary survival tool against mutants.
Master Resource Refills
Your healing item is limited but refills at save pods. Map their locations as you explore and never waste a heal.
Scan Everything
Use the scanner frequently to update your map, mark icons, and uncover hidden areas before pushing deeper.
The pistol's charge shot is powerful but temporarily drains your ability to shoot. Reserve it for tough enemies, and rely on dodge rolls and flares to manage crowds safely.
Combat & Weapon Comparison
| Weapon | Ammo | Best Use | Risk Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pistol | Infinite | Default damage, charged shots | Charge leaves you briefly unable to fire |
| Shotgun | Limited | Tough enemies, crowd control | Scarcity of ammo |
| Flares | Limited | Lighting, distraction | No damage output |
| Grenades | Limited | Clustered enemies | Short/long toss arc takes practice |
Healing is deliberately scarce: one limited healing item that only refills at save pods. This turns every engagement into a resource decision rather than a mindless shoot-out.
Before You Descend:
- Confirm your platform and store region
- Preload or purchase before October 1, 2026
- Practice dodge roll and 360° aiming
- Memorize save pod locations for healing refills
- Collect materials early for crafting upgrades
FAQ
Q: When does End of Abyss launch?
End of Abyss releases on October 1, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. It arrives just in time for the Halloween season.
Q: Is End of Abyss coming to Steam?
No Steam release has been announced. On PC, the game is published by Epic and sold through the Epic Games Store at launch.
Q: How much does End of Abyss cost?
The Xbox listing prices the game at $29.99, which is a budget-friendly price point for a horror title with this level of ambition.
Q: Who developed End of Abyss?
Section 9 Interactive, a debut studio based in Malmö, Sweden. Its founders previously worked at Tarsier Studios on Little Nightmares, and the team cites Alien and The Thing as major influences.