Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy is a dungeon crawler RPG developed by Experience Inc. and released on PC in 2017. Players take control of the Xth Squad, a group of students from Hinowa Academy, as they investigate kidnappings and strange disappearances across Tokyo. The story centers on Variants, mysterious enemies, and incidents known as Sprawl Terrors that cause buildings and people to vanish without trace.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around first-person exploration of labyrinthine areas called Abysses. These dungeons feature detailed level design that rewards careful mapping and attention to traps and hidden paths. Movement follows classic dungeon crawler conventions with a focus on navigation, resource management, and combat encounters against genetically altered foes.
Combat occurs in turn-based battles where the party of six characters divides into front and back lines. Frontline members handle direct attacks while rear positions provide support through spells and abilities. Blood Codes serve as the primary class and skill system, granting access to specific powers and equipment restrictions. Switching a character's Blood Code requires additional leveling to restore full stat progression, which encourages thoughtful party building from the start.
Outside dungeons, players handle missions through menu-based interactions at the academy and headquarters. These tasks include gathering materials, completing objectives like locating specific zones or eliminating high-threat Variants, and advancing the narrative involving loyalties and hidden secrets among familiar faces.
Game Modes
The game offers two display options at character creation that affect how the party appears on screen. Basic mode uses static portraits for a simpler visual style, while Classic mode allows extensive customization of appearance including masks, hair, skin tone, and body type, with equipped items visible on the models.
Progression follows a semester structure tied to story missions. Players advance through sequential objectives that unlock new Abysses and deepen the investigation into the kidnappings and Sprawl Terrors. No separate multiplayer or competitive modes exist, keeping the focus entirely on single-player dungeon crawling and narrative delivery.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds in a near-future Tokyo threatened by Variants and a mysterious organization. Students from Hinowa Academy form the Xth Squad to confront these dangers while uncovering connections to two key girls and broader conspiracies. Sprawl Terrors add another layer of mystery as entire sections of the city disappear, forcing the squad to question alliances and confront powerful enemies with unclear origins.
Exploration in the Abysses reveals more about the world's secrets through environmental storytelling and encounters with both new threats and recurring characters from the squad's past.
Is It Worth Playing?
Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy appeals most to players who enjoy traditional dungeon crawlers with intricate systems and challenging exploration. The Blood Code mechanics and party management provide depth for those willing to experiment with builds, while the first-person Abyss navigation delivers satisfying labyrinths for genre fans.
Steam user reviews rate the game as Mixed, with 67 percent positive from 172 reviews. Many highlight the solid dungeon design and engaging combat loop for dedicated players, though some note repetitive elements and a slower pace in the early sections. The title receives no ongoing updates or seasonal content, remaining a complete single-player experience from its 2017 PC release.
Those seeking a focused, old-school RPG with strong emphasis on dungeon crawling and squad tactics will find value here, especially if they appreciate deliberate progression and strategic party composition over fast-paced action.
