Grill, Gobble, and Conquer: A Tasty Adventure in Monster Survival Roguelikes

Have you ever contemplated what a survival roguelike dungeon-crawler might look like if you were the ravenous demon instead of the prey? Abyss Ring takes it a step further: it allows you the chance to turn the tables on the creatures by consuming them in its design.

Blending gritty medieval fantasy reminiscent of Skyrim, components of cooking simulation, and elements from Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, Abyss Ring is an upcoming adventure in survival that confines players within cramped dungeons overflowing with foes to defeat, prepare, and consume. Essentially, it’s a literal feast for those brave enough to match their hunger with their courage.

The recently released trailer featured above provides a closer look at what we can expect from the hack, slash, and sauté adventure, showcasing Dark Souls-like bosses with alarmingly large health bars and timid little goblins yearning for a taste of your brave flesh. Unfortunately for them, meat’s back on the menu. Goblin meat, to be precise. Food is scarce in these infernal depths, leading our daring player character to resort to dining on the sinewy remains of those vanquished in combat.

These naturally sourced, home-cooked meals appear to be presented as authentic recipes, each with a lovingly illustrated image of what the fully prepared dish could look like. If Abyss Ring’s distinctly Hannibal Lecter undertones make you queasy, try to view it from the perspective of ethical consumption. Killing isn’t necessarily bad, right?

As for whether you might soon plunge into a dungeon for your next meal, we could be waiting for a considerable time. Indie developer Northern Studio LLC has yet to announce a definitive release date for Abyss Ring, although a vague timeframe of “Q2 2025” is noted on the Steam page. This quirky roguelike is certainly one of the refreshingly unusual upcoming PC titles to keep an eye on in the coming year.

Continue reading for the best survival games to enjoy while waiting for Abyss Ring.