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On September 4, 2025, a new title emerged onto the action–adventure scene: Hell is Us. Developed by Rogue Factor, this game presents itself as more than just another combat-heavy adventure. It explores the horrors of war in a near-future setting where humanity’s cruelty proves just as terrifying—if not worse—than the supernatural monsters that plague the world.
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A Nation in Ruins
The story of Hell is Us takes place in the fictional country of Hadia, a nation ravaged by war and haunted by mysterious supernatural beings known as the hollows. Players step into the role of Remy, a man smuggled out of Hadia as a child, who now returns to uncover the truth about his family’s disappearance.
Hadia itself is designed as an immersive, grim reflection of societies broken by war. Civilian executions, propaganda-filled towns, and survivors scarred by violence paint a world where two rival groups—the Palamists and the Sabinians—blame each other for every catastrophe. Yet amid the chaos, new terrors rise: creatures born from humanity’s darkest actions.
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No Map, No Waypoints – A Game of Observation
One of the defining features of Hell is Us is its refusal to hand-hold the player. There is no traditional map or waypoint system. Instead, players must rely on observation, conversations, and careful note-taking to progress.
From the very start, this approach sets Hell is Us apart. Navigating Hadia requires piecing together environmental clues and remembering what NPCs (non-playable characters) reveal. This creates a challenge reminiscent of older adventure titles—forcing players to track puzzles, quest lines, and items on their own.
Puzzles and Exploration
Exploration is only one part of the formula. Puzzles are a central pillar of the gameplay, with a wide range of challenges:
- Aligning symbols to unlock doors
- Delivering key items to NPCs
- Deciphering codes and combinations
- Navigating pressure plate sequences
Many puzzles are interwoven with the narrative, requiring items found later in the game, making progression feel layered and interconnected.
Monsters, Time Loops, and Guardians
The hollow creatures are impervious to normal weapons, pushing players to craft specialized Olympic weapons such as swords, axes, and polearms. Each weapon can be enhanced with mystical glyphs tied to emotions like rage, grief, terror, or ecstasy, giving players the freedom to experiment with playstyles.
Another striking mechanic is the presence of time loops—areas created by moments of extreme cruelty, such as executions or massacres. These loops trap Hadia’s past horrors in repeating cycles until Remy defeats their guardians. Clearing them not only unlocks rewards and upgrades but also symbolically “frees” the land from its most violent echoes.
Combat and Strategy
Combat combines familiar elements like combos, parries, dodges, and special abilities, alongside support from a drone companion. Healing also takes a unique twist: instead of relying on items, health is regained through landing successful combos without taking damage. This risk-reward system encourages aggressive but calculated fighting styles.
Though enemy variety is limited—five main hollow types and several haze creatures—the designs emphasize an eerie, unsettling aesthetic. Larger boss fights are rare, but when they occur, they highlight the brutal atmosphere of Hadia’s war-torn world.
Themes and Storytelling
While Hell is Us includes supernatural monsters, the real horror lies in its reflection of humanity. NPC conversations highlight hatred, prejudice, and the brutal acceptance of collateral damage. The fictional war between Palamists and Sabinians mirrors real-world conflicts, grounding the fantastical in familiar tragedy.
Even side characters reinforce the setting’s despair. Settlements are filled with survivors who have lost families, homes, or limbs, and each conversation helps piece together the harsh reality of life in Hadia. The game emphasizes that the greatest danger is not always the monsters roaming the streets, but the cruelty and hatred of mankind itself.
A Blend of Familiar and Unique
Hell is Us blends exploration, puzzles, and combat into an experience that demands patience, attention, and persistence. While its mechanics may remind players of titles like God of War or Resident Evil, the lack of navigational aids, heavy reliance on puzzles, and emphasis on war’s human cost create a game that stands apart.
Conclusion
With its launch on September 4, Hell is Us introduced players to a world where supernatural horrors intertwine with human cruelty, and survival means more than just fighting monsters. By forcing players to look closely at their surroundings, piece together fragmented clues, and endure the brutal truths of Hadia’s war, the game offers an experience that is as unsettling as it is memorable.
For those looking to explore a dark, puzzle-filled adventure rooted in the cost of war, Hell is Us now stands ready to challenge your skills, your patience, and perhaps even your perspective on humanity itself.