Hell is Us reveals its dark side – new insights into the dungeon design

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Mark Tomson
Managing Director of PlayFront. Mark Tomson shapes the vision of independent PlayStation reporting. His focus: technical analysis, hardware evolution, and the strategic positioning of the gaming industry. He stands for...
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Hell is Us showcases its dungeon system for the first time: not an add-on, but a central gameplay element with its own design, puzzles, and battles.

A few weeks before its release on September 04th, NACON and Rogue Factor are giving new insights into the game with a gameplay video featuring commentary. hell is us – specifically, the dungeon system. Anyone who thought dungeons were just an afterthought will be pleasantly surprised. In this third-person action-adventure, they are a central gameplay element that promises a great deal, not only visually but also in terms of gameplay mechanics. The whole thing is commented on by Creative Director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, who clearly succinctly explains the philosophy behind the design.

Dark, mysterious, challenging

The dungeons in hell is us These are not copies of a standard level design. Each section differs in layout, atmosphere, and enemies, demanding a lot from the player. In addition to classic observation and exploration, timing and combat experience are paramount. Each dungeon culminates in a unique finale that reveals snippets of the story and further unravels the great mystery surrounding the fictional land of Hadea.

But hell is us He wants to do things differently. No waypoints, no quest markers, no "press X now." The concept is called "Player Platter," which means: you're not guided; you find your own way. For anyone who regularly wants to switch off autopilot in modern games, this is an interesting approach.

Explore instead of ticking things off

The main character, Rémi, fights not only against mysterious creatures that resemble walking gravestones, but also against the unknown itself. The world of hell is us The explanations are deliberately sparse, the story fragmented, and the dungeons are the key to shedding light on the mystery. Those who take their time, play attentively, and think along will be rewarded. Those who rush through it might end up understanding nothing at all.

What hell is us What's shown here sparks curiosity – and feels pleasantly old-fashioned in the best sense. No gameplay bingo, no checklist mechanics, but genuine discovery. Whether the game ultimately delivers on this promise remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Anyone who misses classic adventure game roots and has no problem thinking for themselves should mark September 04th on their calendar. And those who don't want to wait that long can check out the recently released... announced comic to refer back to the one that tells the backstory.

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