In a year already packed with major releases, 2025 also saw the emergence of promising AA titles, among them Hell Is Us. Developed by Rogue Factor, this semi-open-world action-adventure game blends Soulslike elements with a unique approach to exploration. Initially launched on September 4, 2025, a date infamously overshadowed by the release of Silksong, Hell Is Us is now experiencing a significant resurgence.
A Second Chance on Game Pass
The game's fortunes have improved dramatically since its addition to Xbox Game Pass earlier this year. It charted in the top three titles on the service during the late summer months, and in August, Rogue Factor announced that Hell Is Us had been played by one million people to date. The developer also confirmed the game's arrival on Nintendo Switch 2, further expanding its reach.
Exploration Over Traditional Guidance
Hell Is Us puts players in the role of a peacekeeper returning to a homeland overrun by supernatural horrors to search for his parents. The game eschews traditional navigational aids, presenting players with a minimalistic UI and a world devoid of maps or quest markers. This design choice compels players to actively explore the environment to uncover missions and progress the narrative, appealing to those who enjoy deep environmental discovery.
Critical reception to Hell Is Us was mixed, with an aggregate score of 77 on Metacritic. However, Polygon's own review highlighted its gripping gameplay and intentionally frictional mission structure, despite noting a lack of enemy variety. The reviewer praised the game's ability to keep them engaged for 25 hours, often losing track of time while exploring Hadea's levels.
A Director's Vision
Adding to the game's appeal is its director, Jonathan Jacques-Belletete, who previously served as art director for the critically acclaimed Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. This connection offers a familiar yet distinct flavor for fans of those richly realized sci-fi worlds.
Hell Is Us is currently available on Xbox Series X through Game Pass, and playable on PlayStation 5 and Windows PC. A physical release is also planned for October 27.