Players often complain when games hold their hand too much, highlighting paths with yellow outlines or floating arrows pointing the way. It’s a point Canadian studio Rogue Factor has clearly taken to heart with their latest title, Hell Is Us, which throws you into its world with little more than a necklace and a few vague leads.
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It’s a digital slap to the face, leaving you truly on your own in a war-torn country called Hadea. You play as Rémi, trying to find his parents by sneaking back into his homeland.
Things quickly unravel as you discover the region is infested with supernatural beings, following a mysterious event known as the Calamity.
We’ve All Been There
Worth noting is that Rémi is recounting the game’s events while chained to a chair, heavily drugged, and speaking to a shadowy figure about what led him there. Something which is quite relatable.
The story is gripping, with strong undertones that feel especially relevant today. It explores civil war and the idea that no side is truly innocent, highlighting the horrors and cost of conflict.
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The supernatural element adds another layer, drawing parallels between the unknown force terrorising both factions and the reality that the true monsters are often human. It’s deep, though at the end of the day, you’re still swinging a magic axe at monsters, so it balances out.
Souls-Lite
Gameplay blends action-adventure with Souls-lite mechanics. You explore semi-open areas, meet locals, and gather leads that eventually lead to battles with Hollow Walkers, the supernatural threat.
The early game moves slowly, partly because it’s up to you to decide what to do, and partly because once you find your magic sword, drone and APC, the game gives you time to settle in.
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Missions include main and side quests, usually involving fetching items or eliminating enemies. Failing them can affect the story, nothing major, but letting people starve because you were too slow does dampen the mood.
Much of the game involves talking to NPCs, with dialogue depth reminiscent of Mass Effect or Fallout. You learn more based on how you question them.
Puzzling Adventure
There’s a fair amount of puzzle-solving too. With no hand-holding, it can be frustrating and lead to backtracking, but solving a puzzle you’ve wrestled with for hours is hugely satisfying.
Combat is measured. You need to read enemy movements and time your light and heavy attacks. While it may resemble Dark Souls, it feels more like Nioh in tone.
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Once you find your rhythm, aggression is rewarded. A risk-reward system lets you regain stamina if you land attacks at the right moment. Parrying is perhaps a bit too easy, but movement feels smooth and weighted, with each weapon affecting your mobility.
Weapons can be upgraded with buffs, and some combinations make you feel genuinely overpowered.
Same Auld Enemy
Combat falters in enemy variety. There are five types of Hollow Walkers, each with three levels. Once you find a strategy that works, fights become repetitive, often boiling down to killing a Haze or clearing Hollows before the Haze powers up. There are only two or three proper boss fights, which feels odd given the genre.
Visually, the game mixes stunning landscapes with the grim realities of war. Lakes and mountains contrast with scenes of destruction and cruelty. It’s a striking blend that the game never shies away from showing.
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Combat movement is fluid, though performance can be inconsistent. Muddy textures and frame drops crop up, especially during fights.The soundtrack suits the tone, adding tension and melancholy. Voice acting is strong, helping to sell the war-torn setting.
Hell Is Us is an intriguing experience that makes you earn your progress. It’s a solid action-adventure with rough edges, but it holds together well. It also dares to ask thought-provoking questions that linger long after the credits roll.
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