Editing The Abyss

{{IB-Level
 |image      = TheAbyss.png
 |id         = 98163412
 |creator    = Madison Yuko
 |verifier   = mikoshii
 |difficulty = [[File:ExtremeDemon.png|x35px]]
 |moons      = 10
 |unvercoins = 3
 |length     = Platformer
 |objects    = 96,502
 |copytype   = No password
 |downloads  = 1,607,470
 |likes      = 34,777
 |rating     = Moon-rated
 |artist     = [https://drak02.newgrounds.com/ Dakota Rineer]
 |music      = [https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/1070978 Celeste - Heart of the Mountain (Dakota Rineer remix)]
 |musicid    = 1070978
}}
'''The Abyss''' is a [[Update 2.2|2.2]] Extreme Demon platformer level by Madison Yuko, published on 28 December 2023, verified by mikoshii on 9 January 2024.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfASf1-aK2M</ref> 

It was the Top 1 hardest rated platformer Demon from 9 January 2024 to 18 April 2024, succeeding The Tower XXII and preceding [[HYPER GRAVITRON]] as the Top 1 platformer Demon.

==History==
The creation of The Abyss began around 26 December 2023, with the level finished and uploaded two days later, making it an open verification.

The version initially uploaded to the servers was much older, with Layers 3-10 instead of the current Layers 1-8. In this version, the level began inside a submarine, and the current surface section at the start of the level did not yet exist. The main differences were that this version had only one checkpoint per layer and that the hearts did not exist. Instead of the current Layer 8, it had a Layer 10 called 'Ascension', which featured golden decorations, cube gameplay, and a short jetpack section; however, it had one physically impossible jump.

On 30 December 2023, Yuko updated the level to remove all the coins. Later, she updated the level again to add more checkpoints and nerf some jumps.

On 3 January 2024, Yuko decided to extend The Abyss; she began work on the 'The Castle' section. She had plans to add a boss fight at the end of the level, but she replaced it with a short jetpack section.

On 6 January 2024, Yuko finished the new room for the heart collectables and added a barrier before Layer 9 (current Layer 7) that would only open when the two hearts were collected.

On 8 January 2024, Yuko renamed the layers to their current version, from Layer 1 to Layer 8.

On 9 January 2024, mikoshii verified The Abyss with a time of 5:02:59.834. It was placed at #1 on The Platformer List (TPL) two days later, dethroning the unrated level INFINITY TRIALS.

On 14 January 2024, The Abyss was rated.

On 21 January 2024, The Abyss was dethroned by the unrated level Smelvin Teahouse, only staying for 10 days as the hardest-unrated platformer level.

On 22 January 2024, The Abyss was updated to its current version and re-verified by mikoshii.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWwURHUwvu4</ref>

On 18 April 2024, The Abyss got dethroned as the hardest-rated platformer level by [[Free Solo]].

==Description==
The Abyss requires collecting 2 hearts to open a gate before Layer 7. It begins on Pluto's surface as a cube; on the right side is a lake of water, and below it is the entrance to 'The Abyss'. After jumping into the lake, the screen turns blue.

After the second checkpoint of Layer 3, there is an open room with a big statue in the centre, with text reading the following:

<blockquote>
At the bottom of our great fault, our salvation awaits.<br>
All will be one, we will find our peace.<br>
A mind shared, a world freed.<br>
We will escape our mortal bounds.<br>
</blockquote>

Halfway through the robot checkpoint of Layer 5, there is a hidden passage on the right wall, where an ''abyss angel'' can be found with the following dialogue:

*'Another comes?'
*'I know of kind like you'
*'you are not born of the abyss, yet your roots are firmly planted here'
*'the lower we descend the more our souls reject the beyond'
*'should i descend further, my soul will reject my being even moreso.'
*'but you- you void those flaws. your descent will be effortless'
*'but me? I will remain here. nothing remains to return to.'
*'us abyss angels live for ages. our only downfall was our own ambition'
*'leave now, construct your purpose awaits.'

===Layer 1 – The Ruins===
This layer features the first needle mini-robot gameplay of the level. Layer 1 has four checkpoints in total.

The first checkpoint is focused entirely on robot precision gameplay, with no orbs or portals on the main path.

The second checkpoint has gameplay similar to the previous one; however, it is considered the hardest checkpoint of Layer 1 because of the last dropdown and the section at the beginning with sawblades on the top and ceiling.

===Layer 2 – The Great Pit===
As the name suggests, the entire layer requires descending a steep drop. It is considered one of the easiest layers of The Abyss, featuring four checkpoints.

After beating the fourth and last checkpoint of Layer 2, there is a rock before going into the next screen with the following text:
<!-- The typos are part of the level, not a mistake on my end. -->
<blockquote>
A gate lies guarding the entrance to the<br>  
7th layer. Two hidden hearts will be open the barrier<br>  
Seek them before decending the 6th layer<br>
</blockquote>

===Layer 3 – The Sunken City===
This layer has two checkpoints.

The first checkpoint features the first moving hazards, with multiple moving sawblades. The last jump is a very tight drop with walls lined with sawblades, requiring a mid-air movement before hitting the floor to avoid dying.

The second checkpoint features straightforward mini-robot gameplay, except for a stream of bubbles that push the player upwards as they weave through spikes in a vertical corridor.

The first heart of the level is located in Layer 3, at the base of the tower that can be found to the right of the drop that leads to Layer 4.

===Layer 4 – Thermal Vents===
This layer features only one checkpoint.

Layer 4 requires collecting two hearts to open a gate at the bottom of the room. At the start of the checkpoint, two paths are available, one to the left and one to the right, each leading to one heart.

The right path introduces objects that lower the gravity. This path requires weaving through corridors made of sawblades in low gravity before reaching a series of orange rock platforms rising from a lava-filled floor. The first heart is located on the last platform to the right. After collecting it and moving back to the left, the path loops upwards towards the starting area of the checkpoint.

The left path consists of standard cube gameplay without additional gimmicks. It begins with a dash orb and continues with a sequence of jumps across platforms while avoiding sawblades. After falling down a vertical corridor made out of sawblades, the second heart can be collected.

Both hearts must be collected in a single attempt, in whichever order the player prefers.

Once both hearts have been collected, the gate at the bottom of the room opens, leading to a narrow vertical drop. During this descent, the screen tint returns to blue, and the lens circle shrinks.

<!-- The level does not capitalise the words 'lost' or 'forest'. -->
===Layer 5 – The lost forest===
This layer features two checkpoints.

The first checkpoint introduces ball gameplay, which primarily involves navigating through tight corridors with spikes on both the floor and the ceiling. Several blue orbs are placed throughout, requiring buffered inputs.

At the beginning of the checkpoint, the left path must be taken first. At the end of the left path, a yellow orb can be found, which moves towards the right. Moving the yellow orb is required to reach the height needed to collect the heart on the right path. After moving the yellow orb, the path must be retraced to the starting point of the checkpoint.

The right path has the same gameplay as the rest of the checkpoint. At the end of the section, the heart must be collected with the help of the yellow orb to open a gate. Once opened, it leads downwards and returns to robot gameplay.

The second checkpoint features standard needle gameplay while descending into the next layer. After completing this robot checkpoint and falling down another long drop, the player lands at the start of Layer 6; however, to open the gate in Layer 7, the second heart must be collected.

To obtain this final heart, a path to the left must be taken instead. This path leads to a long, mostly empty section. Along this path, a rock displays the following message:
<blockquote> 
Our ruins lie dormant.<br>
Those above us have found their peace.<br>
Those unworthy will face their eternal sentence.<br> 
</blockquote>

Near the end of this path is the entrance to the Old Castle.

===The Old Castle===
The Old Castle features three checkpoints.

The first checkpoint introduces spider gameplay, requiring moving through one-block-wide corridors with mini spikes. Near the end of the checkpoint, four keys must be collected. These keys open a gate blocking access to the next checkpoint.

The second checkpoint begins with UFO gameplay, with spikes that alternate in a timed cycle. The gameplay then transitions into ball gameplay, continuing with the same corridors with alternating spikes, before briefly switching to spider gameplay near the end.

The third and final checkpoint begins with UFO gameplay through four tight gaps between spike pillars, followed by a short jetpack section that requires straight-flying near the beginning. At the end of this straight-fly, the final heart of the level is collected, opening the gate in Layer 7. Collecting this heart also opens a gate that allows exiting the castle. After leaving the castle, it leads back to the same long pathway from before. From there, progression continues to the right towards the next layer.

===Layer 6 – Unreturnable Abyss===
This layer features two checkpoints and is widely considered the most difficult layer of the level. 

The first checkpoint consists of tight needle gameplay, with the final two jumps requiring a pink orb followed by a yellow orb.

The second checkpoint also has tight needle gameplay, but it is longer and features more awkward jumps and chokepoints, including the last jump of this checkpoint.

If the two hearts were not collected after completing the second checkpoint, a barrier prevents further progression.

===Layer 7 – The Final Maelstrom===
This layer features only one checkpoint.

Layer 7 significantly reduces visibility, with the lens circle shrinking further to limit the visible area to approximately one block around the icon. Unlike the previous layer, this one is more open, consisting of a large vertical descent rather than tight corridors.

The gameplay involves navigating a large area filled with spike structures while descending. Upon reaching the bottom, a final drop leads to the last layer.

===Layer 8 – %*#(*(@===
This layer features no checkpoints.

Layer 8 consists of a single final room. Dying in this layer results in respawning back in Layer 7. Visibility is higher than in the previous layer, and the room has a red tint.

The room only contains a few jumps and a single drop. The gameplay has two paths, but they are identical since they are just mirrored. At the centre platform, two closed pink-eye objects are present, while at the bottom of the screen, a circular object with a cross indicates the end of the room.

After completing this room, the level transitions into the ending room. This one features a star-filled sky and a grass floor. On the right, a cube is seated on a chair, with an empty chair beside it.

Landing on top of the empty chair triggers the end of the level, disabling player movement and showing the following dialogue:

<blockquote>
Player: 'Is this really it?'<br>
Player: 'Why is it only us here?'<br>
Cube: 'Ascension shows you whatever makes you happy, I suppose'<br>
Player: 'I'm... not sure if this makes me happy'<br>
Player: 'I feel like I've already been past this..'<br>
Cube: 'Well, you're still here, aren't you?'<br>
Cube: 'We both know you're always in the past'<br>
Player: '...'<br>
Player: 'I just want to be... happy...'<br>
</blockquote>

After the dialogue finishes, the camera slowly scrolls upwards, marking the end of the level.

==User coins==
The Abyss contains three user coins. These coins have not been verified by [[Robert Topala|RobTop]].

The first coin requires reaching the hidden jetpack portal at the bottom-right of the first checkpoint in Layer 1. After entering the portal, the coin can be found by flying up the vertical corridor in the middle of the room.

The second coin is located in Layer 3, at the top of the tower, to the right of the drop leading to Layer 4. This tower is the same structure that contains the first heart of the level at its base. Unlike the path to the heart, the route to the coin requires climbing to the very top of the tower.

The third coin requires activating Deathless Mode. At the start of the first checkpoint in Layer 1, a hidden path to the left leads to a secret room containing a golden apple. Collecting the golden apple activates Deathless Mode.

After collecting the golden apple and reaching the end of Layer 7, the path to the left of the final drop leads to a hidden corridor. Without the golden apple, a gate blocks access to the extra room. This room has red blocks and spikes with very low visibility. The gameplay of this room consists of a dropdown at the start, followed by a jump that requires landing between two full-sized spikes. After this, ten easier jumps must be cleared before reaching the top of the room, where the last jump is located. This jump is much harder than the rest, but can be completed consistently using lineups. The coin can be collected after this jump. Right before the last jump, there is a text next to an abyss angel that says: 'good luck LOL'.

==Gameplay==
{{VC|BPdbBzxOuQw}}

==Victors==
===First 10 victors===
{| class="wikitable"
 !Victor #
 !Player
 !Date Completed
 !Time
 !Video
 |-
 |'''Verifier'''
 |'''mikoshii'''
 |9 January 2024
 |5:02:59.834
 |[https://youtu.be/2hIhD4q8rGo YouTube]
 |-
 |1
 |HarryDigo
 |11 January 2024
 |3:08:46.942
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCGuzkqaysQ YouTube]
 |-
 |2
 |cudby
 |11 January 2024
 |2:42:19.758
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3q5rrFm2D8 YouTube]
 |-
 |3
 |KevinITA
 |12 January 2024
 |4:56:44.000
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoqcKgj0PAQ YouTube]
 |-
 |4
 |Sailent2
 |13 January 2024
 |1:14:16.571
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfTdv5EFrjM YouTube]
 |-
 |5
 |Shad
 |14 January 2024
 |37:17.316
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6LiW30AGwU YouTube]
 |-
 |6
 |Trees
 |14 January 2024
 |2:27:38.587
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJGMT08FPfM YouTube]
 |-
 |7
 |Muzza
 |14 January 2024
 |2:07:25.358
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqDxFbLkU9Q YouTube]
 |-
 |8
 |[[npesta]]
 |14 January 2024
 |2:53:29.713
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVVRuIqf6vQ YouTube]
 |-
 |9
 |exsii
 |15 January 2024
 |3:51:41.084
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pq66k2fccU YouTube]
 |-
 |10
 |KugelBlitZ
 |16 January 2024
 |11:42:05.447
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhh6gYbghzc YouTube]
|}

===Fastest 10 victors===
{| class="wikitable"
 !Victor #
 !Player
 !Time
 |-
 |1
 |mikoshii
 |10:38.225
 |-
 |2
 |[[AyumiRenko]]
 |11:08.816
 |-
 |3
 |Lutz127
 |11:19.562
 |-
 |4
 |ungafo
 |11:40.395
 |-
 |5
 |viare
 |11:50.787
 |-
 |6
 |TanuklenGOAT
 |12:10.770
 |-
 |7
 |GToast
 |12:34.095
 |-
 |8
 |SillyBananaGuy
 |12:38.237
 |-
 |9
 |evetSYT
 |12:44.745
 |-
 |10
 |[[Whizkid05]]
 |13:10.883
 |-
|}

===Deathless victors===
{| class="wikitable"
 !Victor #
 !Player
 !Date Completed
 !Time
 !Video
 |-
 |1
 |GToast
 |8 December 2024
 |12:34.095
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grw8DT3v8PA YouTube]
 |-
 |2
 |AyumiRenko
 |10 December 2024
 |13:00.454
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVkKZtdw5Hw&t YouTube]
 |-
 |3
 |mikoshii
 |18 September 2025
 |13:19.354
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD5BNFHF3Z8 YouTube]
 |-
 |4
 |TanuklenGOAT
 |1 December 2025
 |12:10.770
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCsV5qTnG1o YouTube]
 |-
 |5
 |ArtemkaKlutoy
 |19 December 2025
 |15:48.683
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJGAJbO4R4I YouTube]
 |-
 |6
 |SillyBananaGuy
 |27 December 2025
 |12:59.091
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBboVFxk6zQ YouTube]
 |-
 |7
 |ungafo
 |12 March 2026
 |11:40.395
 |[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2IS2xy3L6o YouTube]
|}

==Trivia==
*The Abyss has 10 songs and 22 sound effects (SFX).
*The Abyss uses a 0.76 time warp while underwater.
*The Abyss is currently the only platformer Top 1 to use all game-modes.
*The layers are inspired by ''Made In Abyss'',<ref>https://madeinabyss.fandom.com/wiki/7th_Layer</ref> with Layer 7 sharing the same name.
*After getting the heart to the right side of Layer 4, there is a wall blocking off access to an old and unfinished version of Layer 4 that had fast dash orb gameplay and moving blocks.
*At the top-right of Layer 7, a dead abyss angel can be found.
*GToast was the first player to beat The Abyss deathless on 8 December 2024,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grw8DT3v8PA</ref> followed by AyumiRenko, Mikoshii, sillybananaguy, Tanuklen, ArtemkaKlutoy, and ungafo.
**The Abyss and [[Null]] were first beaten deathless on the same day.
*Lutz127 has beaten The Abyss blindfolded on a modified version with added SFX on 9 November 2025.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnqxpiswPbc</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbjRAxVPySo</ref>
*The Abyss is the fourth former Top 1 rated platformer Demon in the game's history.

==Videos==
{{VC|iTVdDWlbPZA
 |cpt1 = Old version
}}

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Platformer levels]]