Bkom Studios has officially pulled back the curtain on co-op gameplay for Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults, offering a fresh look at the game’s action-focused dungeon-crawling mechanics. The footage debuted during Summer Game Fest 2025 and confirmed what many fans had hoped: Pathfinder’s latest title is going all-in on real-time co-op action, breaking away from its previous turn-based RPG roots. Give it a watch down below:
Inspired by the hit tabletop adventure module of the same name, Abomination Vaults is an isometric ARPG that blends hack-and-slash combat with the rich lore of Pathfinder Second Edition. Unlike Kingmaker or Wrath of the Righteous, which leaned heavily into tactical gameplay, this new title channels the spirit of Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance with fast-paced action and cooperative party dynamics at the core.
Four Iconic Heroes, Deep Build Customization
Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults allows up to four players to dive into a sprawling dungeon filled with enemies, traps, and secrets. The four playable characters Amiri the Barbarian, Harsk the Ranger, Kyra the Cleric, and Ezren the Wizard are based on classic Pathfinder champions and come with pre-defined classes. But don't let that fool you into thinking the game is rigid or cookie cutter.
Despite the fixed roles, Bkom has included a buildcrafting system that enables players to experiment with new abilities, items, and team synergies. These mid-game adjustments help avoid stale gameplay and allow for some party reconfiguration without overwhelming players with massive skill trees.
Players can also trigger special team-up attacks between champions, although doing so reportedly requires careful timing and tight coordination, adding a strategic layer to the game's otherwise fast-paced combat.
Solo And AI-Controlled Allies Are Supported
If you’re not rolling with a full party, the game supports solo play and smaller groups, with the remaining heroes filled in by AI companions. Impressively, these AI allies are more than simple tagalongs players can issue commands to them or even take direct control mid-fight.
Hands on previews at this years Summer Game Fest praised this feature as surprisingly fluid and intuitive, keeping the solo experience nearly as engaging as full multiplayer.
Dark Alliance Vibes, Positive Early Impressions
Critics and fans alike have drawn comparisons between Abomination Vaults and Dark Alliance, another D&D-inspired dungeon brawler. The shift toward real-time action has been seen as a smart pivot for Bkom, offering a more accessible and modern take on the Pathfinder universe.
Early reviews have highlighted the game’s seamless co-op gameplay and engaging team dynamics, though some questions remain about long-term replayability. Since the entire campaign reportedly takes place in a single mega-dungeon, the developers will need to ensure enough variety in encounters and level design to avoid repetition.
No Release Date Yet, Console Plans Unknown
While Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults has generated solid buzz, there’s still no official release date. It’s also unclear if the game will launch on current-gen consoles alongside PC. For now, fans of the Pathfinder TTRPG and action RPGs alike have a promising new co-op dungeon crawler to look forward to one that just might challenge Dungeons & Dragons on new playing field.
As always, stay tuned to Gamefragger.com for more updates as they come!