Abyss has become, over time, a must-have for many players, thanks to its beautiful illustrations , its fluid gameplay and its accessibility .
The game combines hand management , card collection , stop and a bit of memory , especially for the Council cards.
It remains accessible, because each turn, you will only have the choice between three actions : explore the depths to recover allies, take cards from the Council , or recruit a Lord .
The exploration phase, which is based on a stop or encore mechanic, brings a new level of risk-taking to this type of game. It is also interactive , because the revealed cards are first offered to other players before being kept. A subtle and original mechanic .
Special mention goes to the Leviathan expansion , which replaces the base game’s threat track – which was deemed uninteresting – with a Leviathan combat system . Players then face more tense decisions , adding a layer of strategy and danger . On the other hand, this expansion makes the game slightly more complex , which may confuse beginners .
It also introduces new Lords , which greatly increases replayability .
Lords and Places each possess specific powers. It will take several games to master them and refine your strategies.
Finally, the game creates constant tension , as the game ends as soon as a player recruits their seventh Lord . You therefore constantly monitor the progress of your opponents.
In summary , Abyss is an accessible strategic game , with fluid mechanics and a beautiful aesthetic .