You play as Cel, a combat technician trapped within a massive, derelict facility teeming with hostile creatures. As you venture through each sector, the core gameplay centers on managing your resources while unraveling the mystery behind the facility’s collapse.
The early hours can feel brutal because it is incredibly easy to waste your limited ammo and health items on basic mobs that you aren’t prepared for. Getting stuck or running out of supplies in a dark corner is usually how most players meet their end, so you need to be intentional with every single encounter.
Before stepping into the deeper zones, make sure you have fully explored the starting area to stock up on basic supplies. Checking your inventory for any spare Fragments to spend at terminals is vital before you commit to a new, dangerous sector.
The game hits hard right from the start, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of threats waiting in the shadows. These seven strategies will help you regain control and stop wasting your precious resources.
This information is intended to help you navigate the initial stages of End of Abyss.
Refer to the official game website for deeper lore or patch-specific updates.
- Learn to Read the Map
- Frequently Use the Scanner
- Don’t Hoard Fragments
- Upgrade the Pulse Gun First
- Know Enemy Weaknesses
- Don’t Get Cornered
- Backtracking and Exploration Are Rewarding
Learn to Read the Map
Your Map is honestly your most important tool, especially since the facility is a maze with a lot of confusing verticality. You will find yourself walking in circles if you don’t keep an eye on your location markers.
The game does a decent job of auto-populating map markers, which helps immensely. Ladders and Vents appear as you discover them, giving you a clear picture of how different rooms connect.
Pay attention to the doors, which are color-coded based on their status. Unlocked doors show up in blue, while paths you haven’t opened yet remain marked in red so you can easily identify where to return.
Form a habit of pulling up the Map every few rooms to maintain your orientation. This simple check saves you from wandering into dead ends when you are low on health.
Frequently Use the Scanner
The Scanner is an early unlock that you should keep on a quick-access key. Scanning a locked door reveals exactly which keycard you need, saving you from guessing or aimlessly wandering back to find the right item.
Beyond navigation, scanning enemies is the best way to identify their specific weaknesses before a fight turns sour. You can also uncover lore notes and highlight Weak Structures that hide extra loot.
I usually perform a quick 360-degree scan upon entering every new room. It is a lifesaver for spotting environmental traps before they take you by surprise.
Don’t Hoard Fragments
It feels natural to save your Fragments for huge upgrades, but early on, you really need to spend them on supplies. If you are low on Riot Breaker ammo or health, spending currency is much better than dying and losing progress.
You will often find obstacles needing Explosive Charges or the Incinerator to clear a path. If you aren’t carrying these, you have to backtrack, which is often more dangerous than just buying the supplies.
Weapon upgrades require specific materials anyway, so holding onto Fragments won’t speed up that process. Spend what you have to stay prepared for the next room.
Upgrade the Pulse Gun First
Your Pulse Gun is your bread and butter because it features infinite ammo. While it doesn’t hit as hard as specialized gear, the reliability of a weapon that never runs dry is unmatched.
I highly recommend putting your first few upgrade materials into the Pulse Gun damage. It keeps your primary weapon relevant for clearing rooms, so you can save your limited ammo types for major boss encounters.
At the very least, make sure to grab the Charged Shot upgrade as soon as you can. This one change makes the gun significantly more versatile in combat.
Know Enemy Weaknesses
Early enemies like Infected Workers, Husks, and Parasitic Fleas aren’t picky; you can drop them with almost anything. Do not get complacent, though, because this changes fast.
Deeper in, enemies develop specific resistances to Fire, High Impact, or EMP damage. Use your scanner to confirm these weaknesses so you aren’t wasting shots on enemies that are immune to your current gear.
Don’t Get Cornered
Fighting a few slow monsters early on is simple, but the density increases as you progress. Eventually, you will encounter rooms where mobs swarm from all directions, and that is where you will die if you let them pin you.
Always keep an exit path in mind. If you get surrounded, use your Sprint Dodge to create space, or exit the room entirely to funnel enemies through a doorway where you can pick them off one by one.
Backtracking and Exploration Are Rewarding
Because this game is effectively a Metroidvania, backtracking is essential. Returning to previously cleared areas often reveals hidden containers with rare upgrade materials or entirely new, powerful weapons.
If you see a path you cannot clear yet, drop a custom marker on your Map so you don’t forget it. The rewards for revisiting these spots are almost always worth the effort.
Keep an eye on your surroundings, and don’t rush through the facility too quickly. It’s easy to miss secrets if you are only focused on the next objective.
Remember to maintain a supply of med-kits before tackling any new boss, as they are unforgiving if you arrive under-prepared.
