Hell is Us Preview: A Dark Narrative With Hard-Grinding Combat

Rogue Factor's upcoming third-person action-adventure, Hell is Us, will be released by Nacon. With this original IP, Rogue Factor, well known for their work on Mordheim: City of the Damned, is venturing into uncharted ground. Hell is Us combines Resident Evil aspects, such as puzzle-solving, with action-packed fighting against enigmatic creatures known as Hollow Walkers, which must be defeated with specialized weaponry, according to an early-access demo that can be found on the game's Steam page.

The plot focuses on Remy, who was transported out of the remote nation of Hadia at the age of five while carrying only a family necklace. As an adult, he sneaks back into Hadia in search of answers, discovering a country devastated by civil conflict and a supernatural disaster connected to ancient ruins. The game's plot is challenging because it lacks a clear direction, yet it also allows for exploration.

Resolving the riddles surrounding Remy's family, origins, and the strange happenings in the neighborhood is the main story point. Information must be gathered by talking to residents and exploring the area, much like Adamfall's open-ended quest system. The plot explores themes of personal history, civil turmoil, and a society on the verge of war and supernatural collapse. The demo opens with Remy being questioned, suggesting that he has been taken prisoner by a force entrusted with isolating Hadia.

You can customize the battle difficulty in Hell is Us by modifying opponent health, damage output, and death penalties. Although it is not Soulslike, melee combat is nevertheless a formidable opponent. During his early exploration of hints about his ancestry, Remy comes across a Hollow Walker, a white, humanoid creature composed of emotionally charged material that is impervious to traditional weaponry, such as firearms.

Remy inherits their gear and enters the battle after a stranger with a unique sword, steps in and dies. The plot develops by investigation and inference. The gameplay places a strong emphasis on autonomy without the use of a mini-map or fixed direction. Like Adamfall's framework, the gameplay relies on interacting with NPCs, finding clues, and utilizing those clues to progress.

The puzzle's construction draws its inspiration from Resident Evil, and to access new sections or acquire necessary equipment and information, you must find and use critical items. There is more to fighting than merely pressing buttons; Remy has a variety of tools and weapons that get better with use. Two weapons are seen in the demo, but spears and great axes are among the other weapon types hinted at in official trailers.

It can be customized in the future using glyphs. A drone companion serves as a lantern or other utility tool and aids in warfare by diverting adversaries. Standard and heavy attacks, blocking, parrying, and avoiding are examples of combat mechanics. Particularly, stamina and health are related; current health determines maximal stamina. In addition to standard consumables, healing is accessible through a "healing pulse" mechanism that charges when attacks are landed.

The puzzles fulfill their purpose properly, providing a logical progression that demands attention without getting too complicated. The way the Resident Evil-inspired graphics are handled enhances the player's horror-like experience and adds to the secret atmosphere.

The fight's requirements create distinctiveness in that they force players to employ certain weapons in order to defeat Hollow Walkers, increasing the intensity of confrontations. Complexity is increased by "linked" enemies, which are adversaries with a humanoid shape and an additional orb that needs to be destroyed first.

The difficulty is increased by the independent actions of these enemies, particularly when they come in groups. Although the demo's weapon selection is currently small, more depth is anticipated with the glyph upgrade system and future expansions. Although the melee system is not novel, it gains weight and purpose due to its combination of tactical engagement and equipment advancement.

Hell is Us promotes genuine development through the use of weapons rather than a conventional XP system. Commitment to particular weapons leads to mastery, which gradually enhances them. Intentional playstyles are rewarded by this design, which discourages grinding.

Aggressive tactics are reinforced by the healing pulse mechanic, which promotes prolonged battle participation to replenish health. An additional layer of strategy is added by this risk-reward mechanism. A variety of experiences are also provided by difficulty settings, ranging from brutal survival combat to story-driven exploration.

Hell is Us' visuals create a unique ambiance that blends aspects of the paranormal with modern damage. Devastated landscapes, thick forests, and eerie ruins—all tinted with a sense of mystery and menace—bring Hadia to life. The Hollow Walkers' stark white appearance and abstract shapes give them a menacing and striking appearance.

A simple interface enhances immersion by letting the images take center stage. Lighting, shadows, and particle effects all contribute to the spooky atmosphere of the setting. The artistic approach and visual fidelity are well-executed; however, performance stability must be assessed across a range of devices.

The tone of the game is greatly influenced by its sounds. Particularly when exploring desolate ruins or confronting supernatural threats, ambient effects, and sounds increase tension and foster immersion. Hollow Walkers' distinct audio cues, which alert the player prior to direct visual contact, increase the suspense.

Mostly reserved for scenes that are emotionally or narratively significant, the score is kept to a minimum. The demo's voice acting is brief but good, contributing to the game's despair tone and world-building. With an identity rooted in mystery, danger, and limitless exploration, Hell is Us shows great promise as a third-person action adventure.

With a scenario that feels fresh and rooted in both supernatural and political intrigue, Rogue Factor's foray into original IP pays off. A distinct rhythm is created by the hybrid gameplay loop, which strikes a balance between strategic fighting, thoughtfully designed puzzles, and an open-ended narrative.

The game's themes of seclusion and discovery are consistent with the hesitation to spoon-feed knowledge. Hell is Us promotes intentional engagement over violent conflict with its skill-based weapon development, non-linear exploration, and modifiable difficulty. Releasing in September, this gripping expedition into a haunted, war-torn continent could be one of the most unusual action films of the year.

Hell is Us is full of strategic combat, player choice, and amazing narrative. When you combine the three elements—puzzle solving, heartbreaking stories, and challenging melee combat—you create a complex and seductive experience. The entire video game industry, which had remained skeptical following the demo, would eventually embrace this self-styled IP if Rogue Factor were to put in the required effort.

The action game Hell is Us will be brilliant and colorful, encouraging exploration, strategy, and curiosity. It promises to be a comically adult game by combining a rare mix of supernatural combat, puzzle-solving, and narrative agency. If you are looking for this type of game that challenges your combat skills and reactions while applying strategy in a horror-infested combat environment, this game is well worth your time.