Hell is Us

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. XboxEra
    Sep 1, 2025
    70
    Hell Is Us is a game of two tales. One of a gripping world with devastating stories of humanity and lack thereof, challenging the player to truly think about their actions, understand the morbidly beautiful world around them, be able to solve intriguing puzzles and challenges without holding their hand, including the soulslike-inspired combat itself. The other tale, however, is of aimless wandering, tons of trial and error, getting stuck on some convoluted multi-level puzzle in some needlessly large and maze-like area, or dying to to some clunky combat features in some oddly designed areas. Such incredible highs with such frustrating lows are a rare sight, and your overall enjoyment of the game will largely depend on how much you tolerate the latter. I still feel like recommending Hell Is Us, to some people at least, because it is a unique experience worth digging into. Just, remember to arm yourself with a lot of patience – and maybe a guide or two.
  2. Gameliner
    Sep 1, 2025
    70
    Hell is Us opens with a punishingly slow pace and uneven narrative delivery, making it easy to drift away. Push past that, though, and you’re met with a strange, unsettling world where atmosphere, artistry, and depth in combat and puzzles all leave their mark. In the end, its contradictions define it: frustrating yet fascinating.
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  1. Xboxygen
    Sep 1, 2025
    Hell is Us stands out as an unusual experience, a deliberate return to the roots of old-school games where deep thinking and intuitive exploration take precedence over modern hand-holding. In this supernatural and gloomy universe, the subtle and disturbing soundscape plays a key role in immersion, while addressing universal themes of the human condition. But this boldness has a downside. By trying too hard to play on complexity and the absence of reference points, the game risks losing its players in its twists and turns. The constant back-and-forth, limited bestiary, predictable combat and uninspired AI make the player's interest run out of steam, especially for those who do not have a keen visual memory or endless patience. Hell is Us fascinates as much as it divides. It is a demanding, sometimes frustrating work that will only appeal to the most daring and tenacious players.