Summary
- Rewarding combat with a variety of weapons & abilities is crucial for player satisfaction in Hell is Us.
- Deep lore and world-building, with cryptic storytelling elements, will appeal to Soulslike genre enthusiasts.
- Impressive boss fights, unique enemy types, and detailed environments would also contribute to the game's success.
Hell is Us is Rogue Factor's exciting new third-person action-adventure game that turned heads when it was first revealed at PlayStation's September State of Play event. The trailer showed off an eerie world with horror and psychological elements, alongside impressive combat scenes that players immediately compared to FromSoftware's triumphant Demon's Souls title and Dark Souls franchise.
6 Soulslikes With The Best Enemy Variety
Enemy variety often goes underappreciated by soulslike fans, yet it's a key strength of these games.
This is mainly due to the third-person view and methodical melee combat, as the character is seen dodging fearsome attacks from intimidating enemies. There's been a major influx of games influenced by Dark Souls and Elden Ring in recent times, and many fail to satisfy fans of the genre. So, here are some ways Hell is Us can be a successful Souls-like.
10 Rewarding Combat
Give Players Something To Master
Combat is arguably one of the most important aspects of any Soulslike, as players love the methodical yet rewarding grind found in FromSoftware's titles. Hell is Us looks to have some of that charm, with a variety of weapons and abilities to master.
Fans of the Soulslike genre love a challenge, and they don't just want tough enemies. Having combat that garners practice and perfection to eliminate foes efficiently is something that compliments difficult fights, giving players something to aim for, a skill to polish.
9 Deep Lore & World Building
A Rabbit Hole Of Mystery And Story
It's as simple as this — Souls fans appreciate detailed and mysteriously complex world-building. While Hell is Us doesn't necessarily need to be as cryptic as Dark Souls and Elden Ring, lore that players discover as they explore will satisfy those looking for a story to uncover.
The community doesn't want the story spelled out to them. Instead, small bits of information on item descriptions and obscure interactions with characters can go a long way in creating a dedicated fanbase of lore historians.
8 Impressive Boss Fights
A Worthy Challenge That Tests The Player
FromSoftware's incredibly crafted bosses have become iconic in every sense of the word, influencing many games to create more and more challenging boss fights. Hell is Us' sci-fi horror setting poses a great opportunity to give players impressive boss fights, both gameplay-wise and visually.
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The supernatural theme gives rise to creativity and has already been seen, enemies will take on a terrifying look. Having bosses that encapsulate the game's mysterious and terrifying concept, along with impressive arenas and build-up to boss reveals is something that Soulslike fans will appreciate.
7 Varied Enemies
There's Beauty In Variety
A healthy variety of enemy types is also a vital element of Soulslike titles, as it keeps things interesting by putting players on their toes.
On top of mastering combat, having an array of enemy types that pose different threats keeps players entertained. The need to learn how each of these enemies fight is another learning curb in Souls games that fans love, as new encounters feel refreshing and test different aspects of a player's skills.
6 Detailed Environments
Graphical Fidelity Pushes Immersion
It seems like a standard in modern gaming, but a lot of Soulslikes fall to the wayside if their environments are bland and uninteresting. From what we've seen so far, Hell is Us has a unique setting with a lot of potential, so graphical fidelity and impressive world design will allow players to get lost in the game.
From war-torn villages and marshlands to mysterious alien-like buildings and structures, Hell is Us looks as if it's set to nail immersion. It's a major aspect of a Soulslike, as players need to buy into an epic journey, and so the path along the way needs to push that feeling.
5 RPG Elements
Players Want Depth
An important aspect of any Soulslike is its RPG elements. That could be equipment-based progression, player stats and customization, or even Perks and skill trees that evolve as the player levels up.
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A Soulslike game needs to have some of these elements to create that feeling of progression. Players start off with minimal abilities and gear, but as they progress, their stats increase and they tailor their player character to suit their desired playstyle.
4 Satisfying Dodge
A Staple Mechanic Of The Genre
It may seem a little trivial, but having an effective dodge mechanic is one of the core elements of a Soulslike title. Gaining invincibility frames while perfectly timing a dodge is extremely satisfying, especially against tougher enemies.
It's a mechanic that many fans would say is inherently Dark Souls, and it's been recreated successfully by many Soulslike titles, such as Black Myth: Wukong and Nioh. From what we've seen so far, Hell is Us will feature a dodge that seems to make the player immune to damage during the animation, but fans will have to get hands-on before deeming it worthy of Souls-like status.
3 Limited Resources
The Art Form of Item Usage
Knowing when to use resources in a Souls game is a skill in itself, as not only will players find items for specific situations, but they'll also need to be frugal with heals and stamina if they want to give themselves the best chance.
It adds yet another challenging element to the mix, and Hell is Us' Soulslike combat would be the perfect fit for such a design. Limited heals give the player something to think about, being more frugal with their movements so that they don't take too much damage and deplete their stamina bar while taking on enemies.
2 Entertaining Exploration
Rewarding The Player For Foraging
There's nothing quite like going off the beaten path and being rewarded for it. Hell is Us will feature a semi-open world, a format Souls fans will be extremely familiar with. The disappointment in finding another route that doesn't award the player is not a fun experience, but FromSoftware has mastered it over the years, rewarding players for exploring every nook and cranny.
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To make Hell is Us all the more enjoyable and immersive, players need to be rewarded for foraging in the different areas of the game. Whether it's a collectible, weapon, or a useful item, it's always great to receive a gift after finding an area that less thorough players will stumble upon.
1 Unique Mechanics
A Separating Factor That Brings Something New
Those who are fans of Souls games may never get bored of the gameplay loop. However, Soulslikes need to have elements that separate them from being yet another clone. A unique gameplay mechanic that sets it aside from FromSoftware's games and other Soulslikes will give Hell is Us its own identity, bringing innovation to the genre.
Whether it's to do with combat or how players interact with the world, unique gameplay elements that make the title feel different and new will go a long way in making Hell is Us a success. One of the most interesting aspects of Hell is Us that has been seen so far is the Drone, which could be the title's special, unique element.
Hell Is Us
- Released
- September 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rogue Factor
- Publisher(s)
- Nacon
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World
