Is Hell is Us a Soulslike Game?

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Is Hell is Us a Soulslike Game?

As a seasoned gamer who has delved into countless Soulslike games and emerged with scars both physical and digital, I eagerly await the release of Hell is Us. Having grown accustomed to the trials and tribulations that these games offer, I’m intrigued by its unique blend of war-torn landscapes, supernatural elements, and an art director with a rich history in the Deus Ex series.

During the September 2024 PlayStation State of Play event, publishers Nacon and developers Rogue Factor unveiled a sort of second introduction for their upcoming game titled “Hell is Us“. Initially announced in April 2022 with a projected release in 2023, the game has since returned with a more developed appearance, now slated for a 2025 launch. As creative director of this third-person action/adventure title, Jonathan Jacques-Belletete previously worked at Eidos Montreal on the popular Deus Ex series, which helps explain the game’s distinctive style.

Information about the game “Hell is Us” is currently limited, but based on a trailer, a Playstation Blog post, and an older Steam description, we can gather some details. This game appears to be set in a war-ravaged land that’s also under supernatural attack, reminiscent of “Death Stranding.” Players will wield distorted melee weapons, a drone that seems connected to them, and powers to combat the monsters. More insights will come from playing the game or watching a YouTube presentation on September 30. Some speculate that it could be another Soulslike game.

Hell is Us’ Comes On The Heels of a Souls Boom

Due to the rise in popularity of the Soulslike genre, particularly with games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring, sales have been soaring, leading to an influx of new titles in this genre. For instance, Lies of P and Lords of the Fallen were released in 2023, while 2024 has already given us Enotria: The Last Song, Deathbound, and Another Crab’s Treasure. With FromSoftware still pushing boundaries in the genre, it might make some players hesitant to try out new games. However, with an ever-growing fanbase for the Souls formula, a well-crafted game can certainly stand on its own merits.

Differences Between Hell is Us and Most Soulslikes

The game “Hell is Us” has chosen to steer clear of the “Soulslike” label and instead prefers a more general description. Some arguments suggest that it doesn’t quite fit the mold, as certain features in “Hell is Us” seem to contradict typical Souls design elements. One of the main points of contention is enemy density, as the player often encounters large groups of common enemies, and sometimes faces multiple stronger ones simultaneously. While this approach isn’t entirely foreign to Soulslikes, the genre generally emphasizes its 1v1 combat dynamics. It’s possible that “Hell is Us” is following in the footsteps of other games like “Enotria,” moving away from traditional Soulslike elements.

Everything Hell is Us Has In Common With Soulslikes

Although it strives for uniqueness, there’s strong indication that “Hell is Us” will still fall into the category of Soulslike games. Its camera angle over the character’s shoulder is common, and the focus on dodging combat looks quite similar. The strongest comparison to previous Souls games arises from the way Jonathan Jacques-Belletete describes it in the PlayStation Blog. “Hell is Us” does not guide the player in any manner, but instead offers numerous routes for progress. This “old school” approach has been a defining feature of Soulslikes since before “Demon’s Souls“, and if it’s implemented here, then its unique aspects become secondary.

Souls Elements That Aren’t Confirmed In Hell is Us Yet

Moving on, there are many characteristics typical of Souls games that we haven’t seen in “Hell is Us” yet. These include checkpoints at bonfires, losing currency upon death, the distribution of stats, co-op play, and Estus Flasks, which have not been confirmed. Additionally, more abstract concepts like cryptic dialogues and challenging level layouts that are often found in Soulslike games might also be absent or different. While a poison swamp isn’t essential for a Soulslike game, it embodies the playful cruelty unique to these games. Whether “Hell is Us” will revisit these aspects of Souls design remains to be seen, but if it does, we can expect a comfortingly familiar experience.

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2024-09-28 14:04