Hell is Us is an upcoming action-adventure game set in a fictional, isolated country grappling with civil war and strange, otherworldly creatures. Based on a three-hour preview session, the game defies easy genre classification, focusing heavily on player exploration and deduction with minimal in-game guidance. Players step into the shoes of Remi, who returns to his homeland of Hadea in the early 1990s to uncover his past and find his parents amidst the chaos of conflict and a mysterious phenomenon known as the Calamity. This preview highlights the game’s distinct approach to navigation, its intriguing combat mechanics, and its deep investigative elements, suggesting a potentially polarizing but memorable experience upon its release on September 4.
Contents
Navigating a World Without Markers
One of the most notable aspects of Hell is Us is its deliberate lack of traditional player guidance. There is no map, no quest log, and no objective markers on the screen. Instead, the game relies on environmental clues – subtle markings, sounds, or visual cues within the world itself – to help players find their way.
This design philosophy stands in stark contrast to many modern games that often provide extensive assistance. Progressing in Hell is Us requires players to pay close attention to their surroundings, recall information gleaned from conversations, and use their own judgment to figure out the next step. While this may challenge players accustomed to hand-holding, it aims to foster a stronger sense of immersion and accomplishment in discovering the path forward.
Unraveling Mysteries Through Investigation
Remi’s journey is driven by a personal quest for truth, and this is reflected in the game’s investigation system. Information gathered from non-player characters (NPCs) and the environment is tracked in Remi’s datapad. This feature starts with broad topics but quickly evolves into a complex web of interconnected leads, mysteries, and potential breakthroughs as more details are uncovered.
This system encourages players to actively piece together narrative threads. For those who enjoy detective work and seeing a complex story unfold through discovered fragments, the datapad acts as a crucial tool, allowing them to review information and connect disparate pieces of the puzzle.
Encountering the Calamity’s Creatures
The fictional nation of Hadea is not only ravaged by civil war but also by the “Calamity,” a phenomenon that introduces strange, violent creatures into the world. During the preview, players encountered “Hollow Walkers,” unsettling, faceless humanoids often connected to formless energy clusters via umbilical cords.
Hollow Walkers, unsettling humanoid creatures from Hell is Us
Defeating these enemies often requires understanding their specific mechanics, such as destroying the connected energy clusters before being able to deal damage to the main body.
Combat Mechanics and Unique Health Recovery
Combat in Hell is Us begins with seemingly simple options, including standard and heavy attacks, and the use of a drone to distract enemies, particularly useful when facing groups. However, the preview hinted at a much deeper system. Weapons level up with use, and a later-game save revealed a wider array of combat abilities and strategies.
One distinct combat feature is the health recovery system. Landing successive hits on enemies causes floating particles to appear around Remi. By timing a button press correctly, players can absorb these particles to restore health. This system incorporates a risk-reward element: allowing more particles to accumulate provides a larger health boost, but missing the timing or taking damage causes them to disappear, offering no recovery. This mechanic adds a strategic layer to combat beyond typical attack and dodge maneuvers.
Close-up of a character's face in Hell is Us, suggesting encounters with varied individuals
Early Impressions and Release
The three-hour preview suggests that Hell is Us is a game making bold design choices, particularly in its refusal to guide the player’s hand. Its unique blend of exploration, investigation, and combat, set against a backdrop of mystery and conflict, makes it difficult to fit into established genres.
This approach is likely to be polarizing. Players who embrace exploration and deduction will likely thrive in its hands-off world, while others might find the lack of guidance frustrating. Developed by Rogue Factor, Hell is Us is scheduled for release on September 4, offering a distinct experience for players seeking a challenging and non-linear adventure.
For more on upcoming game releases and previews, explore our coverage of The Best Games Of 2025 (So Far).
