Hell is Us

Hell is Us initially hooked me with its horror vibe and cool-looking action. After a fifty-hour playthrough, I’m happy to report that the combat is indeed cool and the vibes are indeed horror-adjacent, but Hell is Us is much more than that. It tells a story, rooted in realism, about the effects of war and how people become divided. It’s also a supernatural mystery with extremely elaborate lore and worldbuilding. One that you can spend hours diving into. Hell is Us trusts the player to investigate and uncover the mystery of Hadea without any guidance, and it’s a mystery worth solving.

Not without its minor flaws, but certainly one of the biggest surprises of the year: If you like to explore freely and don't want everything spoon-fed to you, you shouldn't miss Hell Is Us.

Hell is Us is much more than it appears during the first few minutes. By cleverly combining action and adventure with the solving of arduous puzzles, the game plunges us into a dark and mature atmosphere, characterised by violence inspired by humanity's darkest moments. The themes it addresses are relevant, and it adds a supernatural and mystical dimension to the whole. Hell is Us is not without flaws — that's a fact. Its old-school approach is raw and unembellished, and will clearly not suit everyone. However, its magnificent artistic direction, worked level design and successful soundtrack take precedence over its weaknesses. We were absorbed for several dozen hours in our quest for answers in a war-ravaged country. It's a nice discovery for a game with certain potential.

Despite some obvious flaws (especially in the combat department), Hell is Us is a good action-adventure game that shines particularly brightly thanks to its atmosphere and its ability to surprise the player. Rogue Factor has managed to create a rather unique blend of exploration, action, and puzzles, supported by a technique that commands respect. In short, if you're looking for a game at the crossroads of the genre, we recommend it. Be careful, however, if you have high expectations in terms of action-RPG or puzzles.

The story and haunting world of Hell is Us overshadow most shortcomings, and Rogue Factor’s message is a powerful one. The team’s refusal to hold the player’s hand may frustrate, but it also creates a unique sense of immersion and discovery. Hell is Us is meant to unsettle and provoke thought, not just entertain, and where it stumbles in one area, it succeeds in another. For players willing to overlook missing variety and conveniences, and who value atmosphere over a perfect presentation, Hell is Us offers a journey well worth taking.