Undoubtedly one of the most captivating experiences at the 2024 Tokyo Game Show State of Play was the new video for Hell is Us. Spanning 15 minutes, it provides deeper insight into the game, an action title that draws inspiration from Death Stranding in its supernatural elements, Dark Souls in its combat style (though considerably lighter), and The Last of Us in its post-apocalyptic setting. Players will take on the role of Rémi, a soldier grappling with the horrors of civil war and his own troubled past and psychological wounds, as he embarks on a journey to uncover his origins. This takes him back to Jova, the village where he grew up, situated within Hadea country.
In the 15-minute video, Jonathan-Jacques Belletête, the game director, highlights that the development team has over 20 years of experience in video games and designed Hell is US with a nostalgic game design. One of their guiding principles was not leading the player by the hand, which is why there are no quest markers or journals in the game. The objective is to allow players to explore this desolate world independently, using visual and auditory cues to navigate towards the next mission. Players will be accompanied by a drone named Kapi, who will assist in interpreting various elements and provide support during combat. Regarding encounters, Hell is Us avoids being overly punishing and thus diverges from the classic Souls-like formula. The player character, Rémi, will wear a highly stylized long cape and wield a rectangular sword, facing intriguing alien-looking enemies throughout their journey.
The release of Hell is Us is anticipated for 2025 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. At the 2024 Tokyo Game Show State of Play, the game was showcased as an upcoming action title that combines supernatural elements reminiscent of Death Stranding with combat styles inspired by Dark Souls but lighter in nature, set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop akin to The Last of Us. Players will take control of Rémi, a soldier grappling with his past, as he returns to his childhood village in Hadea country to uncover the origins of his troubled existence. Directed by Jonathan-Jacques Belletête, who emphasizes over 20 years of industry experience, the game aims to offer a nostalgic and non-guided exploration experience without quest markers or journals. Instead, players will rely on environmental cues and assistance from Rémi’s drone companion, Kapi, for navigation and combat support. Unlike traditional Souls-like games, Hell is Us seeks to avoid punishing gameplay harshly, equipping players with a distinctive long cape and a rectangular sword to face intriguing alien-like enemies in this desolate world.
