Last Updated on Sep 3, 2025 @ 13:06:44 PM.
2025 is absolutely stacked for releases, arguably up there with some of the biggest and best years in gaming ever, and it’s still got a fair bit to go. That’s why it’s all too easy to miss a release here and there, especially a AA one, but I implore you, do not sleep on Hell is Us, for so many reasons.
To set the scene, Hell is Us is set in Hadea, a province/region engulfed in war between two warring groups, the Sabinians and the Palomists. Each with their own religious beliefs that drive families to turn on friends, towns to bomb one another, and individuals to commit unspeakable acts bordering on war crimes. And that’s just the beginning. With supernatural entities entering the fray as well, it proves to be a compelling backdrop to one solitary soldier’s desperate attempt to find himself and understand his childhood all the better.
It’s a warning as much as a compliment to Rogue Factor and Nacon, but when playing Hell is Us, expect to feel almost suffocated by what you’re finding and experiencing, as the game doesn’t pull punches at all. Early doors, you’ll come across a weeping man with the bodies of his children, sitting next to a mass grave of murdered civilians, and it doesn’t get any lighter going forward.
The people you’ll encounter and speak to will laugh and joke about the atrocities they’ve committed, be it a mass murder, hangings from a tree, or torture of religious people. In the present-day climate, you’ll be forgiven for seeing some serious real-life parallels to what is going on in our world right now, and it should make you feel gross. Brooding, dark, and with a feeling of hopelessness, Hell is Us‘ environment, atmosphere, and eye for detail will leave you in no question what humanity can do when they think they’re right, but if anything, it’s a testament to the skill, dedication, and unwavering ability of the studio to nail such a horrifying feat.
Beyond just the war crimes and civil war of it all, Hell is Us has a supernatural tinge to it, something that gives thankful breaks from the all-too-real moments ever-present throughout. Not only will you be spending your time investigating the whereabouts of your missing father in an attempt to find your childhood again, you’ll have to traverse the landscape whilst battling and defeating oddly beautiful monsters, of which very few actually have an explanation as to who, or what they are, where they came from, and what they want.
Combat in the game isn’t breaking many genre rules, in truth, but with a few weapons on offer, different abilities, and armor, it absolutely will keep you engaged throughout. Once you hit your flow state, you’ll quickly end up dispatching multiple enemies in a ballet dance of death and destruction, all whilst using your handy drone in a variety of ways. With the multiple difficulty settings available, you’ll be able to punish yourself or give yourself an easy time, with the press of a button. From action RPG to one-hit kill Soulslike, Hell is Us caters to all.
All of this said, and I’ve yet to mention the best bit about the game, and something hopefully more developers will take note of going forward. The game opens with a warning that there are no markers, waypoints, quest notes, etc, and oh boy does it keep that promise. You’ll be investigating big and small questions throughout your time with the game, with nothing more than your intuition, exploration of the environment (keep an eye out for items and notes!), and interrogations, both amicable and not so.
Every question asked can be the next lead needed to continue your adventure, and if you’re not paying attention, it can be easily missed. New information can also change the meaning or importance of previously learned facts, so you’ll be thankful that there’s a handy log of everything and everyone you’ve met and talked to. The hand-holding is barely there, but it doesn’t leave you completely out in the cold; it’s certainly a risk, and one that I’m glad to say it pulls off with very little failure, confusion, or frustration that could have happened.
Beyond all the good parts about the game, there are some drawbacks. There are some issues with performance, with the occasional frame rate drop during the more intense combat encounters, as well as environmental pop-in, which can and does break the incredible immersion the game offers when it doesn’t happen. Another issue, albeit small to many, but I couldn’t look past it, was the lack of synchronization between a character’s voice and their mouth movements. Sometimes it was near perfect, and for other characters, including prominent main characters, it was as if I was watching a 70s Kung Fu parody film. For a game where immersion is front and centre, it really did disappoint me. Hopefully, it’s something that’ll be addressed in post-launch patches, but for now, it’d be unfair for it not to be mentioned.
Hell is Us
Hell Is Us is an action-adventure game developed by Rogue Factor and published by Nacon, set in the fictional region of Hadea during a civil war between two warring factions, as something more supernatural stirs and complicates matters.
Summary
Hell is Us hits so many of the milestones the developers clearly wanted to, with ominous, environmental storytelling brilliantly achieved, a dark and brooding story that’ll have you questioning your own humanity, and a supernatural tale that weaves into all of that seamlessly, elevating it further. Issues with optimization aside, you’d be missing out if you don’t give Hell is Us a real chance, and it may just be Nacon’s best offering yet.
HOURS PLAYED: 29
PLAYED ON: PS5
- A grim, all-too-real representation of the worst of humanity, with a supernatural twist that'll keep you engaged (and horrified).
- A lack of hand-holding allows you, the player, to experience the story how you want, to investigate and find what you want, and ultimately to figure it out in your own time. Throw in some 'sidequests' and it feels so innovative and fresh you'll wonder why more games aren't doing this.
- Plenty of sidequests and puzzles will allow you to really dive into the world Rogue Factor have created.
- Pop-in and issues with performances will break your immersion a little too often.
Hell is Us is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, go read our review of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, or why Serial World was the most fun we had at Gamescom this year. Otherwise, follow Thumb Wars on X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news, reviews, and interviews!
Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
