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Pre Release Games

Hell is Us – Release, Gameplay, Review & Guide (2025)

Hell is Us – Release, Gameplay, Review & Guide (2025)

“Hell is Us” — a daring, atmospheric action-adventure RPG from Rogue Factor and published by Nacon — launches on September 4th, 2025. In the war-torn land of Hadea, it combines surreal exploration, detective mechanics and Soulslike combat into a haunting meditation on the human cost of conflict.

❝Hell is Us is a brutal journey through war, mystery, and monsters born from human hatred.

Release & Platforms

  • Release Date: September 4, 2025
  • Platforms: PlayStation 5 (Standard and Pro), Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC (Steam/Epic Games)
  • Demo: Play the game early on PC, PS5, and Xbox from August 12th, 2025

If you want to look at another hotly anticipated release, read our full guide on Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Hell is Us gameplay screenshot showing supernatural enemies and time loops
Image credit : Nacon

Gameplay & Mechanics

  • Exploration without hand-holding: No maps, no quest markers, no waypoints. Players have to rely on dialogue, landmarks and memory.
  • Combat system: Third-person melee with swords, axes, polearms and a drone for distraction. Stamina management is crucial.
  • Thematic storytelling: Enemies show the emotional scars of war. “Time Loops” warp reality, and players unravel cryptic clues with a datapad.

If you like your action balanced with strategy, you could also check out our coverage of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

Hell is Us Hadea war-torn environment design screenshot
Image credit : Nacon

Style, Tone & Setting

  • Atmosphere: Evoking an atmosphere that is equal parts Eastern European and post-Soviet, Hadea warps surreal monstrosities into a jarring environment that obscures the border between nightmare and reality.
  • Narrative: NO tutorials, NO handholding, no way out of taking this trip with nothing on your belt but a journal and an explorer's guide you earned to access the wisdom and experience gleaned by those who trekked into the great unknown before you.
  • Tone: Emotive, surrealistic, immersive—immersing the player in a world of conflict.

Likewise, games such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33pair artistic environments with symbol filled storytelling.

PC System Requirements

Minimum

  • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580 (6GB VRAM)
  • Storage: 50 GB SSD
  • OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti / AMD RX 6700 XT
  • Storage: 50 GB SSD
Hell is Us gameplay screenshot showing supernatural enemies and time loops
Image credit : Nacon

Pre-Orders & Editions

  • Standard Edition – Base game
  • Deluxe Edition – Includes digital artbook & soundtrack
  • Collector’s Edition – Physical artbook, steelbook case, figurine and bonus DLC

Purchase on Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store and Nacon’s website.

Critical & Community Reception

  • OpenCritic Score: 83/100 – Praised as a “Dark Horse of the Year.”
  • PCGamesN Playtime Estimate: 20-25 hours (main story), 35+ for completionists.
  • GamesRadar Verdict: A “double-edged magical sword,” sometimes frustrating, but always rewarding.
  • GameSpot: Rewards exploration and experimental combat, though not flawless.
  • Wccftech: 8.5/10 – Praised for puzzles, story, and atmosphere.

For those who prefer lighter fare, our Donkey Kong Bananza Review demonstrates how Nintendo deftly straddles the line between fun and frustration.

Community Buzz

  • Reddit: Fans love its “brutal but fair combat” and its “unsettlingly beautiful environments.”
  • X (Twitter): Trending under #HellIsUs — users are terming it “the artistic answer to Elden Ring.”
  • Discord Communities: A lot seem to like it’s hands-off tactics.

Comparison & Why It’s Blog-Worthy

If you liked Elden Ring, if you like Control, or narrative-focused indie mysteries “Hell is Us” will feel comfortable and distinct. It encourages players to use their brain, investigate, and get emotionally invested — which means it’s also one of 2025’s best artistic releases.

Meantime, for fans of mythological action: Consider diving into Black Myth: Wukong, another big release this year.

FAQs About Hell is Us

Q: Is Hell is Us open-world?
A: It’s semi-open, with large interconnected regions instead of one seamless world.

Q: Does Hell is Us have co-op or multiplayer?
A: No, it is strictly a single-player experience.

Q: How long is Hell is Us?
A: 20-25 hours for the main story, and 35+ hours for completionists.

Q: Can you play Hell is Us on PS4 or Xbox One?
A: No, it is only on next-gen PS5 and PC.

Q: Is Hell is Us like Dark Souls?
A: Yes and no — it’s Souls-like in gameplay, but more like Control or Outer Wilds for exploration and storytelling.

Hell Is Us : Gameplay Reveal Trailer

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