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Hell is Us is a third-person, action-adventure game with a semi-open world that emphasizes exploration and intense melee combat. Released in September 2025 by developer Rogue Factor, the game stands out for its lack of traditional player aids, such as maps, quest markers, or compasses, requiring players to rely on their intuition and environmental cues.
Story and setting
A personal search in a hostile world: The story follows Rémi, a U.N. peacekeeper who goes absent without leave to return to his war-torn homeland of Hadea in search of his long-lost parents.
A country beset by calamity: Hadea is not only devastated by a bloody civil war but also by a mysterious supernatural event known as "The Calamity". This event has unleashed terrifying, faceless creatures called "Hollow Walkers" that are impervious to modern weapons.
Humanity's demons: The narrative explores the dual horrors of supernatural monsters and the darker side of humanity, often illustrating how human conflict can be more terrifying than the otherworldly threat.
Gameplay mechanics
No hand-holding: Instead of using modern gameplay aids, players must pay close attention to environmental details, notes, conversations, and their own notepad to progress through the story and solve puzzles.
Melee combat: Players engage in close-quarters combat using ancient melee weapons, including swords, polearms, and axes, which can be upgraded with special abilities called "glyphs". Combat rewards aggression and skillful parrying.
Healing pulse: The game features a unique healing mechanic where players can restore health by landing timed hits after a combo, similar to the combat of Bloodborne.
Support drone: Rémi is accompanied by a drone that can be used to scan for clues, distract enemies, and assist in combat.
Stamina-health system: A player's maximum stamina is linked to their current health level, making combat more difficult as Rémi becomes more exhausted or injured.
Themes and inspirations
Heavy and thoughtful narrative: The game tackles mature and sensitive themes related to war, trauma, grief, and the deep-seated issues that fuel human conflict.
Atmospheric "weird fiction": Influenced by media like the film Annihilation, the game blends modern warfare with bizarre, sci-fi elements to create an unsettling, dreamlike, and deeply mysterious tone.
An investigative experience: Hell is Us is as much an action-adventure as it is a detective story. The thrill of exploring and uncovering lore is a major focus, encouraging players to piece together the fragmented story on their own.