Valdis Story: Abyssal City is an action indie RPG platformer that blends exploration with combat in a Metroidvania style. Players take on the role of Wyatt and other characters as they navigate the ruins of a once-holy city overrun by demons, angels, and feral threats. The game emphasizes swordsmanship, martial arts, and sorcery in fast-paced fights while uncovering hidden paths and backtracking through interconnected zones.
Gameplay
Core gameplay revolves around fluid platforming and real-time combat. Movement includes precise jumps and quick dashes that help cross gaps and reach new areas in the sprawling ruins. Combat weaves together melee strikes, martial arts combos, and magical spells without pausing for menus. Players collect magic souls that enhance both fighting power and traversal options, such as new movement abilities or elemental effects.
Progression comes through stat leveling and a deep skill system. Each character has multiple skill trees focused on offense, defense, and magic, allowing builds that shift playstyles dramatically. Weapons and armor can be upgraded for better stats and special properties, while unique accessories provide situational advantages or risks in battle. Exploration rewards careful searching, as hidden rooms and alternate routes open up after gaining new abilities.
Game Modes
The game offers a single-player campaign centered on story progression and free-form exploration. Different playable characters provide distinct starting points and combat approaches within the same interconnected world. Character selection influences available weapons, skill trees, and narrative perspectives without altering the core structure of the ruins.
Replay value stems from trying alternate characters and experimenting with skill builds rather than separate modes. The experience remains focused on one continuous journey through the city, with no additional competitive or cooperative options available.
Story and Setting
Over forty years ago, the goddess Valdis fell to her daughter Myrgato, the dark goddess. This act sparked an endless war between Myrgato and her twin sister Alagath, the goddess of light. Both sides harvest human souls to forge warriors, twisting them into demons or shaping them into angels. The remaining humans face constant pressure to align with one faction or perish.
Players enter this conflict as outsiders drawn into the ruins of the holy city. Encounters with demons, angels, and the unpredictable Ferals drive the narrative forward while revealing the gods' manipulations and the cost of their war on humanity.
Characters and Customization
Multiple characters expand the experience beyond the initial protagonist. Wyatt serves as the baseline melee-focused fighter, while others bring varied strengths such as ranged options or trickster abilities. Each has dedicated skill trees and equipment paths that encourage different strategies across playthroughs.
Accessories and upgrades further personalize every run. Some items boost damage output or defense, while others enable risky high-reward tactics. This system supports experimentation without forcing a single optimal path.
Is It Worth Playing?
Valdis Story: Abyssal City delivers a focused Metroidvania experience with strong combat depth and exploration for fans of the genre. Steam user reviews stand at Very Positive based on over 1,600 ratings, reflecting appreciation for the tight controls, original soundtrack exceeding two hours, and satisfying character progression. The game has no ongoing updates or seasonal content, remaining a complete single-player title from its original release.
It suits players who enjoy methodical exploration paired with customizable action combat in a dark fantasy setting. Those seeking multiplayer features or frequent new content may find it less appealing, while Metroidvania enthusiasts will likely appreciate the interconnected zones and build variety across characters.
