Hell Is Us Reviews
Hell Is Us succeeds in a fantastic throwback premise; to do away with modern quest markers and maps and just exist in the game and find your own way. Yet you are never lost, because its world breathes and lives and guides in far subtler, deeper ways. An incredible modern classic of both mystery and narrative structure that I hope inspires a whole new generation of game developers.
Hell Is Us challenges modern gaming conventions by rejecting hand-holding and excessive guidance. Instead, it embraces exploration and player agency, proving that true enjoyment often lies in unguided discovery and the freedom to uncover a world on one’s own terms.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Hell is Us is the kind of game I didn't know I'd been waiting for, and I'm glad it exists. It's raw, ambitious, and it's frustrating at times, but that's exactly what makes it that much more rewarding. The best games aren't the ones that guide you gently to the credits, and I'm certain that I'm going to be talking about this game for years to come, simply because of its powerful themes and unique approach to both its gameplay and storytelling.
We’d recommend Hell is Us to anyone who enjoys dark, challenging adventures that don’t pander to the player. Don’t expect comfort or casual fun - this is a game designed to make you think, not unwind.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Hell is Us is a game that doesn't try to appeal to everyone. No map, no quest markers, no help systems – anyone who plays this game has to be prepared to get involved. And that's exactly what makes it so appealing: we stumble, wander around, doubt our decisions, and feel more drawn into this mysterious, torn world as a result. The story relies on hints rather than clear answers, sometimes seeming almost brittle, but that's what makes it intriguing. I have to say, though, that I found the first few hours of gameplay difficult in terms of narrative. Until about the second hour, I had trouble really getting into the story because I lacked context. Only gradually did the game grab me, as the fragments began to fit together more clearly. The gameplay, on the other hand, impresses with a powerful combat system that forces us to use weapons selectively, manage resources wisely, and understand the Lymbic system with its glyphs. Those who get involved will discover depth and tactical diversity, even if the whole thing can seem overwhelming at first. The game's greatest strength is its atmosphere: the mixture of silence, strangeness, and subtle menace creates a mood that is not easily forgotten. Whether we are following a baby's cry into a menacing basement or simply roaming through deserted landscapes, Hell is Us knows how to give us goosebumps. Of course, there are also weaknesses: technically, the game is solid, but not outstanding. Textures, animations, and depth of detail cannot compete with the big names. The narrative restraint will not convince every player either – those who expect a clear story with lots of cutscenes will be rather disappointed. In the end, Hell is Us remains a bold experiment: an adventure that deliberately eschews convention and forces us to really look, listen, and question. For players who embark on this journey, an intense experience awaits that will not be easily forgotten.
Review in German | Read full review
In a time when the gaming industry is moving more than ever toward standardization, homogenization, and excessive player guidance, a title like Hell Is Us emerges as a point of resistance on a map filled with predetermined paths. Developed by Rogue Factor and directed by Jonathan Jacques-Belletête — the artist previously known for his work on Deus Ex: Human Revolution — the game seeks to push the player out of their comfort zone and release them into a world with no map, no guiding markers, and none of the conventional waypoint systems. It’s a real pity that this distinctive game, due to the sudden and successful release of the new Hollow Knight: Silksong, failed to capture the attention of the market and audience as it deserved.
Review in Persian | Read full review
In Hell is Us, Rogue Factor confidently took a risk on a game that aims to subvert the conventions of a genre in need of fresh ideas, delivering a strong campaign, excellent concepts, powerful and challenging themes, and a memorable world that only falters by relying too heavily on a combat system that offers few surprises.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Its two narrative threads never seem to fully mesh; the idea of leaving the player the burden and honor of deciding which direction to take only works when things are running perfectly smoothly and if you're willing to rely on an external input to take all the necessary notes
Review in Italian | Read full review
Hell is Us offers a unique experience that blends free exploration and symbolic storytelling within a mysterious world torn apart by war. The game features meticulous environmental design and an immersive atmosphere that enhances feelings of isolation and curiosity, supported by an intelligent exploration system that rewards attention, and solid combat that gains depth thanks to abilities and equipment. The main missions take the form of investigations and evidence gathering, while side missions add a human dimension and interesting environmental challenges. Clever puzzles and a drone also contribute to the variety and richness of the gameplay. Despite the limited variety of weapons, repetitive enemies, and unsatisfying ending, Hell is Us remains a worthwhile experience for those looking for a game that respects the player's intelligence and offers a richly detailed world.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Hell is Us one of my favorite games of 2025 and one of the best of the last 10 years for me in the genre.
Hell is Us is a game like we see too rarely. It's intelligent in that it puts its gameplay fully at the service of its approach, making a mark by depicting war in a way that too few games before it (This War of Mine) have, notably through striking NPCs. A non-linear adventure that has the flaws of its strengths and a few lengths, but which puts us face to face with the fact that Hell is indeed us.
Review in French | Read full review
There is a fantastic game here, and I am glad I experienced what I did. I didn’t quite get out of it what I was hoping for or expecting; however, I was impressed by the grim and often horrific artistry in which it was crafted. Rogue Factor certainly has built a solid foundation with certain key aspects that can and could be refined to craft an incredible sequel, hopefully one that can aid with a little more guidance from time to time.
Hell is Us may not stand a chance at breaking financial records or sweeping all the Game Awards. Nevertheless, it offers a dense experience, skillfully balancing between adventure and action. At the same time, it deserves recognition as the most atmospheric title of the year, along with a brilliant soundtrack that lends every night street the aura of a hostile horror.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Hell Is Us is an intriguing experience that makes you earn your progress - a solid action-adventure RPG with rough edge.
Rogue Factor's experiment is considered rather successful, as Hell Is Us manages to impress with its approach and the way it uses the materials it has to create a truly memorable experience
Review in Greek | Read full review
Hell is Us is a fascinating yet strange game, weighed down by its own risks. While it has the atmosphere and mythology for a great sci-fi experience, its ambitious “no objective markers” system turns exploration into tedium. Coupled with a story that ultimately goes nowhere, it stands out as one of the year’s most bizarre cases of wasted potential.
Hell is Us is a bold and memorable experience. It’s a game that makes a powerful statement about the state of the industry, proving that you don’t need a glowing arrow to have a compelling journey. Its unflinching approach to its narrative and its aforementioned “player-plattering” design philosophy will undoubtedly be divisive for many. Some will adore the challenge and the sense of genuine discovery, while others will find the lack of guidance frustrating. The combat doesn’t quite live up to the high bar set by the rest of the game. Hell is Us is a brilliant, bold, and beautiful action-adventure that redefines player agency. While its repetitive combat keeps it from a perfect score, its masterful world-building and commitment to a hands-off design make for an unforgettable and profoundly rewarding experience.
Hell Is Us makes investigation feel like craft. I kept notes, followed odd clues and got real satisfaction from fixing small injustices. Combat felt great once I learned the timing trick and started experimenting with runes and the drone. The world looks and sounds like it’s steeped in history, and the PS5 runs it smoothly. The enemy variety isn’t huge and Remi can seem a bit flat, but honestly the whole package left me with a ton of memorable moments. If you like digging deep into puzzles and lore, this one’s worth every minute.
Immersive, challenging, and profound, Hell is Us is a unique experience where every player’s sensation is put to the test.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Hell Is Us is not a video game for everyone. And in 2025, that's a huge compliment. In an industry that often prefers to play it safe rather than take risks, Rogue Factor has had the courage to create a title that doesn't try to please everyone, but only those who are willing to challenge themselves. If you are among them, you will find yourself immersed in a powerful, dense, visually striking, and narratively elusive and poignant experience. You will get lost, you will get angry, you will go back, you will reread your notes, you will search for meaning. And, in the end, something will stay with you. A feeling. A doubt. A message. It's not perfect — in fact, at times it's deliberately rough, imperfect, unclear. But it's authentic. If you're tired of the usual open worlds, checklists to complete, and cookie-cutter dialogue, then Hell Is Us could be the breath of fresh air you need.
Review in Italian | Read full review