- End of Abyss Xbox release date: October 1, 2026 on Xbox Series X and S
- Also launching on: PlayStation 5 and PC via the Epic Games Store
- Price: $29.99, with a 10% PS Plus pre-order discount until launch
- Genre: Top-down sci-fi horror Metroidvania with twin-stick combat
- Developer: Section 9 Interactive, founded by Little Nightmares veterans
End of Abyss Xbox Release Date and Platforms
The End of Abyss Xbox release date is officially October 1, 2026. Xbox players can pick it up on both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, alongside a simultaneous launch on PlayStation 5 and PC through the Epic Games Store. It is a same-day, multi-platform release, so Xbox owners will not be waiting behind other platforms.
Video Highlights:
- October 1, 2026 launch on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Epic Games Store
- Priced at $29.99 with a 10% PlayStation Plus pre-order discount
- Twin-stick shooter combat fused with Metroidvania exploration
- Debut title from Section 9 Interactive, ex-Little Nightmares developers
- Dying respawns every enemy in the compound, raising the exploration stakes
| Platform | Release Date | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X | October 1, 2026 | $29.99 | Full current-gen version |
| Xbox Series S | October 1, 2026 | $29.99 | Same-day launch |
| PlayStation 5 | October 1, 2026 | $29.99 | 10% PS Plus pre-order discount |
| PC (Epic Games Store) | October 1, 2026 | $29.99 | EGS exclusive on PC |
At $29.99, End of Abyss launches at a mid-tier price point for a horror title with this level of atmosphere. Watch the Xbox store page around launch week for potential introductory discounts.
What Is End of Abyss?
End of Abyss is a 3D sci-fi horror Metroidvania and the debut game from Section 9 Interactive, a small studio based in Malmö, Sweden. The studio was co-founded by brothers Mathias and Marcus Ottwall along with Gustav Heinerwall — all three previously worked at Tarsier Studios, the team behind Little Nightmares and Reanimal.
You play as Sel, a technician in a diving bell helmet who is sent into a broken-down underground facility to find out why it has gone silent. Everything down there wants you dead, and much of it used to be human.
The Setting
- Derelict underground facility
- Silent, hostile depths
- Body horror with intent
The Protagonist
- Sel, a lone technician
- Diving bell helmet
- Armed but outmatched early
The Design DNA
- Ex-Little Nightmares devs
- The Thing-inspired creature design
- Atmosphere-first horror
Unlike Little Nightmares, End of Abyss lets you fight back. It plays like a top-down Metroid-style adventure with full twin-stick shooting — you grow stronger the deeper you descend.
Combat, Weapons, and Resource Management
Combat is built on a twin-stick shooter foundation: left stick to move, right stick to aim in full 360 degrees, layered over a Metroidvania structure. Sel starts weak and becomes genuinely dangerous as you unlock gear and abilities.
| Weapon / Tool | Ammo | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma gun | Infinite | Starting weapon, low stopping power |
| Shotgun | Limited, crafted | Tough enemies, crowd control |
| Grenades | Limited, crafted | Burst damage, tight corridors |
| Flares | Limited | Light dark areas, distract enemies |
| Scanner | N/A | Exploration, reveals the environment |
Resource management is a real, constant pressure. Limited ammunition is crafted from resources dropped by enemies, so the plasma gun remains your reliable fallback when supplies run dry.
Dying respawns every single enemy in the compound. Shortcuts you cleared on a previous run are effectively gone — you retread the hard way. Plan engagements carefully instead of brute-forcing rooms.
Exploration and Boss Fights
Exploration follows the classic Metroidvania backtrack loop, driven by the scanner tool and unlockable abilities that open previously sealed corridors. Previews highlighted a hulking, gooey ooze-based boss with brutal melee attacks that grabs a steel beam mid-fight for extended reach.
Descend and Scan
Use the scanner to map the facility and mark sealed routes and resource caches.
Fight Carefully
Conserve crafted ammo for tough enemies; rely on the infinite plasma gun for common threats.
Unlock and Backtrack
New abilities open sealed corridors, revealing shortcuts and optional upgrades.
Learn Boss Patterns
Bosses demand pattern memorization, not button mashing. Study attack cycles before committing.
Hands-on previews called End of Abyss one of the most anticipated games from Summer Game Fest and one of the most distinctive, unsettling experiences on the horizon.
Xbox Launch Day Checklist
Here is everything to knock out when End of Abyss goes live on Xbox on October 1, 2026.
Launch Day Goals:
- Verify the game appears on the Xbox store on October 1, 2026
- Check for any launch-week Xbox discount before purchasing
- Master twin-stick aiming with the plasma gun early
- Learn the scanner tool before pushing into sealed wings
- Conserve crafted ammo for the first major boss encounter
| Decision | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Buy on Xbox Series X? | Yes — full version, same-day launch |
| Buy on Xbox Series S? | Yes — identical release date and price |
| Wait for reviews? | Reasonable — debut studio, but previews are strong |
| Pre-order discount? | PS Plus only (10%); no confirmed Xbox equivalent |
FAQ
Q: What is the End of Abyss Xbox release date?
End of Abyss launches on October 1, 2026 for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. It is a simultaneous worldwide release alongside PlayStation 5 and PC via the Epic Games Store.
Q: Is End of Abyss coming to Xbox One?
No Xbox One version has been announced. The confirmed platforms are Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, and PC through the Epic Games Store.
Q: How much does End of Abyss cost on Xbox?
The game is priced at $29.99 across all platforms. The announced 10% pre-order discount applies to PlayStation Plus members only, running until launch day.
Q: Who develops End of Abyss?
Section 9 Interactive, a Malmö, Sweden studio co-founded by Mathias and Marcus Ottwall and Gustav Heinerwall, all formerly of Tarsier Studios, the creators of Little Nightmares.
For the latest on the End of Abyss Xbox release date, keep an eye on the official Xbox store page and Section 9 Interactive announcements as launch day approaches.