Abyss is a fishing and exploration game that drops you into the ocean depths with harpoon guns instead of rods. The Kraken drags you down to a safe hub bubble at the seafloor, where you'll upgrade gear, catch fish, and explore biomes while managing oxygen levels. Unlike traditional fishing simulators, Abyss combines underwater traversal, combat-style catching mechanics, and gear-gated progression across five biomes with over a hundred fish species.
Quick answer: Leave the hub bubble, shoot fish with your harpoon gun, complete the catching mini-game, then return to sell your catch to the Kraken for cash. Upgrade your gun and tube to reach deeper zones and catch rarer fish.
Core Gameplay Loop
The hub area sits inside a protective bubble at the bottom of the sea. Inside, you'll find NPCs who sell guns, tubes, and artifacts, plus the Kraken who buys your fish. The moment you step outside the bubble, your oxygen meter starts depleting. Your goal is to explore the ocean, catch fish, and return before you drown. Cash earned from selling fish funds upgrades that let you venture farther and deeper.
Fishing works in two stages. First, aim your harpoon gun at a swimming fish and fire until its health drops low enough to trigger the catching phase. Some fish fight back or flee; sharks may attack unprovoked. Once the catching phase starts, a mini-game appears: keep the moving fish icon inside the green bar while the progress meter fills. Success nets you the fish. If you deal too much damage, the fish dies and sells for less.
Basic Controls
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| W, S, A, D | Basic movement |
| F | Interact with NPCs, open chests, purchase items |
| Q | Descend (outside bubble) |
| E | Ascend (outside bubble) |
| Left-Click (M1) | Fire harpoon |
| Left Shift | Tube Boost (faster movement, faster oxygen drain) |
| G | Open backpack (inventory) |
| Numbers 1-0 | Quick-use slots |
Guns: Harpoon Stats and Mechanics
Guns replace fishing rods in Abyss. Each gun has three core stats that determine catching efficiency. Damage controls how many shots you need before the catching phase starts; higher-tier guns can instantly catch low-level fish. Control widens the green bar in the catching mini-game, making erratic fish easier to land. Cooldown is the delay between shots—essentially your attack speed.
More than a dozen gun types exist at launch, each with progressively stronger stats. You can purchase starter guns from Henry, the Gun NPC, inside the hub bubble. Hidden NPCs scattered across the ocean sell advanced models. The Lightkeeper NPC, unlocked after completing the Lost Captain's difficult questline, sells the strongest gun and tube currently available.
Fish Types, Rarities, and Mutations
Over a hundred fish species swim across five biomes. Fish come in five rarities: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. Rarer fish sell for more cash but appear less frequently. Fish also carry mutations that affect their price and fulfill specific quest requirements. Weight matters too—heavier fish fetch better prices but consume more inventory space.
Buy the Radar item from Richard, the Bestiary NPC, for $250 as soon as possible. When used, it displays stats for every nearby fish: species, rarity, mutations, current health, and maximum health. This tool is essential for efficient exploration and targeted catching.
Oxygen and Tubes: Progression Gates
Your oxygen meter appears as a blue sphere in the bottom-left corner. It depletes the moment you leave the hub bubble. If it empties, you drown immediately, lose a portion of your cash and all held fish, then respawn at the base. Some race perks can prevent this penalty. Oxygen management is the core progression mechanic—you cannot explore farther or deeper without upgrading your tube.
Tubes govern your traversal capabilities. Each tube has three main stats. Oxygen determines how long you can stay outside the bubble. Weight sets your carry capacity for gear and fish; higher weight lets you haul larger catches. Max Depth controls how deep you can dive before drowning starts, regardless of oxygen. Your current depth displays at the top center of the screen.
David, the Tube NPC, sells most starting tubes inside the hub. As you explore, you'll find other NPCs who offer advanced models. The Diver NPC, sitting atop a sunken submarine, sells the Zeline Tube and Plane Tube—expensive but powerful options. Each tube includes a Tube Boost activated by pressing Left Shift. Boost mode increases movement speed but drains oxygen rapidly.
Chests scattered across the seafloor often contain Oxygen Pods. These consumable items replenish your oxygen meter when used, letting you reach distant zones and return safely. Open every chest you find.
Artifacts and Geodes
Artifacts are equipable items that buff your stats. You can equip up to three at once, enabling different loadouts. Artifacts boost oxygen capacity, carry weight, damage, XP gain, attack speed (cooldown reduction), and movement speed. Each artifact has a rarity (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Legendary, or Mythic) and a tier ranging from Tier I to Tier VII.
To obtain an artifact, you must first collect a Geode. Geodes drop randomly from fish during the catching mini-game. A chest icon appears when a fish carries a Geode. Align the green bar with the chest icon to collect it, then continue catching the fish. Once you have a Geode, bring it to Virelia, the Artifact NPC, to crack it open. Opening time varies by rarity and quality, but you can leave and do other activities while it processes.
NPC Quest Givers and Hidden Questlines
The hub area houses the main NPC group: Virelia (artifacts), David (tubes), Richard (bestiary), Henry (guns), Scientist, Billy, and Mr. Black. Several other NPCs hide throughout the ocean, each offering unique questlines, rewards, and powerful gear. Start all questlines as soon as you find them—they provide rewards, help you complete achievements, and unlock better equipment. Steady questline progression is essential in the early and mid-game.
The Duck Collector hides behind a secret door. Keep knocking until he opens it. He'll ask you to collect Rubber Ducks hidden across the ocean.
Lost Captain is a ghost roaming a shipwreck at the ocean floor. His questline is extremely difficult, but completing it unlocks a portal-like door leading to the Lightkeeper NPC, who sells the best gun and tube in Abyss. This area also contains more ducks and some of the rarest fish.
The Diver sits atop a sunken submarine and will be one of the first NPCs you encounter outside the safe zone. His questline involves bringing heavy items to other NPCs, pushing you to upgrade your carry capacity. He sells the Zeline Tube and Plane Tube.
Morveth is located in a hidden cave behind a waterfall. Completing his questline unlocks Morveth's Treasure Gun for purchase. His questline requires you to power statues near him by finding red crystals.
Beginner Progression Path
After the opening cinematic, you spawn in the Forgotten Deep, the beginner zone. Talk to the Kraken and complete the tutorial to unlock fishing and basic progression systems. Start catching nearby fish and selling them to the Kraken. Do not rush upgrades early—save your cash until you can afford meaningful improvements to your gun or tube. These upgrades have a large impact on progression speed.
Complete quests given by the Kraken. These quests guide you through each area and prepare you for deeper zones. After finishing all quests in the Forgotten Deep, move to the second island and continue exploring. Progress slowly, upgrade smartly, and dive deeper only when your gear allows it.
