Hell is Us Review: A Refreshing Lack of Direction

In an era where video games often feel like sophisticated to-do lists, guiding players from one glowing map marker to the next, Hell is Us emerges as a bold and refreshing counterpoint. It strips away the modern comforts of UI-driven exploration: no map, no compass, and no quest log spoon-feeding objectives. The experience is reminiscent of the pure discovery found in games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

However, it pushes the concept even further by completely removing the map. This design choice creates a unique dynamic where both the player and the protagonist are on equal footing: lost, curious, and learning the rules of a hostile world together. For anyone tired of being led by the nose, it’s a breath of fresh, albeit unsettling, air.

Table of Contents

Story

The narrative of Hell is Us is one of its strongest assets, largely due to its delivery. You are thrown into a land ravaged by civil war and afflicted by a mysterious calamity that has introduced supernatural creatures, known as “Lymbic Entities” or “hollow walkers,” into the fictional land of Hadea. You play as Remy, who is on a mission to find his long-lost parents, whom he believes are in Hadea. To get there, he joins the Peacekeepers to enter the closed-off country. The story is told through flashbacks as Remy is interrogated by a very unique-looking individual. I won’t say more at the risk of spoiling the plot, but know that it’s intriguing and will capture your attention if you enjoy a good story.

The plot doesn’t unfold through lengthy exposition dumps or cutscenes. Instead, you piece it together through environmental storytelling, cryptic conversations with survivors, and your own discoveries. This slow-burn approach makes every revelation feel earned, because you are learning about the world and its history at the same pace as your character. It’s an intriguing and compelling mystery.

Gameplay

At its core, Hell is Us is an action-adventure game with fun and engaging combat. Wielding a variety of unique weapons to fight supernatural creatures, every encounter feels weighty and deliberate. The swish of your blade and the thud of a successful strike are deeply satisfying. While the game includes elements like a health bar, stamina bar, and other traits of Souls-like games, it isn’t a Souls-like game. So, those who aren’t into that genre can breathe easy and enjoy the adventure.

An interesting mechanic in combat is that striking enemies at certain moments allows you to recover lost health, encouraging a more thoughtful approach to attack and defence. You also have a drone on your shoulder that can perform handy manoeuvres, such as freezing an enemy for a few seconds so you can land extra hits.

Combat isn’t the only standout feature. The game also features clever puzzles. You must rely entirely on environmental clues such as a distinct landmark on the horizon, the direction of the wind, or subtle audio cues to navigate and progress. When it works, it’s brilliant, creating “aha!” moments that feel incredibly rewarding.

But it can also be a double-edged sword. On several occasions, I found myself completely stumped, unsure of where to go or how to proceed. While the challenge is intentional, it can sometimes border on frustrating, and I admit to turning to Google a couple of times when the clues felt just a bit too obscure. Thankfully, we got our review copy after launch, so solutions to some of the more challenging puzzles were easier to find. I had the same experience with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and I really appreciate all the help game guides provide!

Graphics

Hell is Us is a visually rich experience with a distinct and memorable art style. It masterfully blends the grim reality of a war-torn landscape with surreal, otherworldly elements. For some reason, it reminded me a lot of the movie Prometheus. The enemy designs are particularly creative and disturbing. They move with the grace of a ballet dancer and the ferocity of creatures from Stranger Things.

While it might not be the most technically pristine game on the market compared to some AAA blockbusters, its artistic direction is immersive. The hauntingly beautiful environments and cohesive aesthetic create a powerful atmosphere that lingers long after you put the controller down.

Sound

The sound design is excellent and complements the gameplay well. In combat, the audio feedback is crisp and impactful, with satisfying swishes, clangs, and thuds that give every action a tangible feel. Beyond fighting, the ambient sounds of the world are subtle yet effective in building a tense and immersive atmosphere. The voice acting is also top-notch, with believable performances that add depth and humanity to the characters you encounter on your desolate journey.

Verdict

Hell is Us is a unique experience. If you crave a challenge, especially with environmental puzzles and minimal hand-holding, this is definitely worth checking out. Sadly, the demo for Hell is Us is no longer available on the PlayStation Store as of the time of writing. That demo would have been a clear indicator of whether the game suits your preferences or not. Especially if you’re unsure how you’ll handle the environmental mechanics and puzzle-solving challenges.

Nonetheless, Hell is Us is a great game that succeeds in its mission to deliver a true sense of adventure. If you enjoy dissecting environments for clues and want to get lost in a mysterious world without a glowing path telling you where to go, this game is for you. However, if you prefer more hand-holding, clear objectives, and the comfort of a map, you’re better off looking elsewhere. Personally, I found the game to be a lot of fun, albeit with a bit of help from online guides.

Editor’s Rating: 8.8 / 10

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Note: We played a review copy of Hell is Us on the PS5.

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