Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy

Experience Inc. delivers a great dungeon-crawler with some interesting gameplay mechanics ideas that's worth buying even though it lacks an intriguing story-line or a well-developed crew of characters. It's slightly better than Demon Gaze in some sense, but it doesn't archive the same sense of greatness.

Operation Abyss buries a great dungeon crawler beneath obtuse mechanics and an atrocious interface. Thankfully the story and the sensational dungeon design makes it well worth excavating.

Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy is a fine DRPG. It has all the facets one would expect from a game of its genre and manages to implement those features effectively. What it does not do a lot of, however, is think outside the box in big ways.

Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy is a member of the all too uncommon first-person dungeon crawler club, and while it may be very complicated, it also offers an addictive experience for on-the-go that is bound to be enjoyable for fans of the genre.

Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy is a very conservative RPG, so it might not be the best option for newcomers. Still, if you know what it has to deliver, it can be a good option.

Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy could’ve been a really good game, but it ends up floundering beneath a pile of stats and character management.

Despite all my misgivings, Operation Abyss still comes fairly recommended to anyone looking for a dungeon crawler that doesn't mind occasionally hurling its audience to the wolves. Apart from some severely questionable design flaws, the core game that lurks within is a strangely enjoyable and rewarding experience, and a lengthy one at that. It's just not one that's for the faint of heart or short on patience.

When it’s all said and done, Operation Abyss isn’t a bad game but it certainly doesn’t live up to the high standards set by Demon Gaze.

The story bored me before the actual game even started and then I was forced to explore uninspired, ugly interiors and kill wacky monsters in fights that take forever. [09/2015, p.69]

There’s real potential here, nearly enough for it to be worthwhile for fans outside the genre to check it out. But nearly enough isn’t quite enough, and too many instances of archaic dungeon design combined with the poor story and insta-death combat situations means that it’ll stay far away from the mainstream.

NIS fans will enjoy it, as well as those into first-person dungeon crawler RPGs. An incoherent UI and story will cause issues for those without a lot of patience, but there is an interesting and funny narrative to reward those who persevere through it.

Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy has all the makings for a great RPG, but there are many design choices that prevents it from succeeding. For many dungeon crawler RPG fans, Operation Abyss will be enough to wet the lips, but not quench the thirst.

True dungeon crawling junkies may get a thrill out of the game, but if you’re not one of those people then this operation is best left to the professionals.

For the pen-and-paper RPG enthusiast who likes to create their own characters down to the smallest detail (from party role to personality trait) as well as discover every nook and cranny in a gigantic dungeon, Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy offers a lengthy and solid experience. For those who may find the game too daunting, try to stick with it after a few hours in the hopes that its numerous mechanics and micromanagement requirements end up clicking.

If you're itching for a dungeon-crawler, go for Etrian Odyssey or Unchained Blades instead.