In a gaming landscape filled with quest markers, glowing objectives, and endless quality-of-life features designed to guide players every step of the way, Hell is Us does something rather unusual.
It trusts you.
Rogue Factor's latest action-adventure throws players into a bleak, war-torn world and asks them to figure things out for themselves. No giant arrows pointing toward the next objective. No GPS-like navigation system. No helpful companion constantly reminding you where to go.
Just you, your drone, and a world filled with mystery.
That design philosophy won't appeal to everyone, but for those willing to embrace it, Hell is Us offers one of the most refreshing experiences I've had in recent years.
A Story Built Around Questions Rather Than Answers
The game takes place in Hadea, a country devastated by both civil war and a supernatural catastrophe known as the Calamity.
You play as Rémi, a former UN peacekeeper searching for parents he lost years ago. What begins as a personal journey slowly evolves into something much larger as you uncover the secrets of Hadea and encounter the terrifying Hollow Walkers, mysterious creatures that appear to be manifestations of human emotions and suffering.
One thing becomes clear very quickly: Hell is Us isn't interested in spoon-feeding its story.
The narrative often communicates through symbolism, environmental storytelling, and fragmented conversations. Some players may find this approach frustrating, but I appreciated the game's willingness to let me draw my own conclusions.
The story isn't always easy to follow, yet it remains compelling because it constantly raises interesting questions. Even after putting down the controller, I found myself thinking about certain events and interpretations. That's something very few games manage to accomplish.
Exploration Without Hand-Holding
If there's one thing that truly separates Hell is Us from most modern action games, it's exploration.
There is no traditional map. There are no objective markers. And there certainly isn't a glowing trail leading you toward your next destination.
Instead, the game relies on environmental clues, conversations, landmarks, and your own sense of direction. At first, this can feel overwhelming.
Modern games have trained us to follow markers rather than pay attention to the world itself. Hell is Us actively fights against that mentality. The result is both its greatest strength and its biggest risk.
There were moments when I felt genuinely lost, unsure where to go next or whether I had missed an important clue. But whenever I eventually found the solution on my own, the sense of satisfaction was enormous.
Finding a hidden path, uncovering a secret location, or solving a puzzle without assistance feels rewarding in a way that few modern games manage to achieve.
Your drone also plays an important role throughout the adventure. Beyond its narrative purpose, it assists with exploration, puzzle-solving, and uncovering hidden details within the world.
It's a simple mechanic, but one that adds meaningful depth to the overall experience.
Combat: Familiar but Effective
Combat in Hell is Us takes clear inspiration from soulslike games, although it never reaches the same level of difficulty as titles from FromSoftware.
Stamina management remains important, forcing players to think carefully about when to attack, dodge, or retreat. A unique healing system built around pulse energy helps maintain a good balance between aggression and caution.
The combat feels weighty and satisfying, particularly during one-on-one encounters where timing and positioning matter.
That said, it's also one of the game's weaker areas.
While the Hollow Walkers are visually striking and fit perfectly within the game's atmosphere, enemy variety becomes an issue after several hours. Many encounters begin to feel familiar, and the combat doesn't evolve as much as I would have liked.
It's never bad.
It simply lacks the depth needed to remain consistently exciting throughout the entire adventure.
Fortunately, exploration and world-building carry enough weight to prevent this from becoming a major problem.
A World Worth Getting Lost In
Visually, Hell is Us is stunning.
Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game creates a hauntingly beautiful version of Hadea filled with ruined villages, abandoned military installations, dense forests, and unsettling monuments that seem to hide countless secrets.
What impressed me most wasn't necessarily the graphical fidelity. It was the atmosphere. Every location feels drenched in sadness, isolation, and uncertainty.
You can almost feel the weight of the world's history simply by walking through it. The environmental storytelling is exceptional, often communicating more through visual design than dialogue ever could.
Sound Design That Constantly Keeps You Uneasy
The audio design deserves special recognition. From distant whispers and unsettling ambient sounds to the eerie soundtrack, everything works together to create a constant feeling of tension.
Even during quieter moments, there's an underlying sense that something isn't quite right. The game rarely relies on cheap jump scares.
Instead, it builds discomfort gradually through atmosphere and sound. It's an approach that fits the overall tone perfectly.
Not Everything Works
As much as I enjoyed my time with Hell is Us, it isn't without flaws.
The final act feels somewhat rushed compared to the rest of the experience. Certain storylines, particularly those connected to Rémi's personal growth, deserved more attention and development.
Some puzzles can also become exhausting during longer play sessions, especially when combined with the game's refusal to provide guidance.
And while I respect the decision to remove maps and markers, there were moments when frustration occasionally replaced curiosity.
Finally, combat, while solid, lacks the variety needed to stand alongside the very best games in the genre.
Final Verdict
Hell is Us won't be for everyone.
Players looking for constant rewards, objective markers, and straightforward progression may bounce off it within the first few hours. But for those willing to slow down, pay attention, and immerse themselves in its world, there's something special here. Rogue Factor has created a game that respects player intelligence and trusts them to find their own path.
In an industry increasingly focused on accessibility and convenience, that alone feels refreshing. Hell is Us isn't perfect, but it's memorable, ambitious, and unlike almost anything else released this year. And sometimes, that's exactly what a game needs to be.
Review copy for PlayStation 5 provided by Computerland.
