Montreal-based developer Rogue Factor is preparing to launch Hell Is Us, an ambitious action-adventure game that challenges both hardware limitations and modern gaming conventions. Set for release on September 4, 2025, this Unreal Engine 5-powered title combines intensive system requirements with a deliberately nostalgic approach to game design that harks back to classic adventure titles.
Demanding Hardware Requirements Push Current Generation Limits
The game's technical specifications reveal surprisingly high hardware demands, particularly for 4K gaming. Players seeking to experience Hell Is Us at 4K resolution with Ultra settings at 30 frames per second will need an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card, even with upscaling technology enabled. This requirement positions the game among the most demanding titles of recent years, surpassing many other Unreal Engine 5 implementations.
The system requirements scale across five different performance tiers, starting from modest 1080p gaming with a GTX 1070 or RX 5600 XT for minimum settings, progressing through various combinations of resolution and frame rate targets. Notably, all configurations require 16GB of RAM and 30GB of SSD storage, indicating consistent memory and storage demands regardless of graphics settings.
Old-School Design Philosophy Challenges Modern Gaming Conventions
Creative Director and Art Director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête has deliberately crafted Hell Is Us to reject many contemporary gaming conveniences. The game features no objective markers, quest logs, or traditional map systems. Instead, players must rely on environmental cues, conversations with NPCs, and their own spatial awareness to navigate the fictional war-torn country of Hadea.
This design philosophy draws inspiration from classic point-and-click adventure games, particularly the 1997 Blade Runner title from Westwood Studios. Jacques-Belletête explains that investigations unlock new locations based on discovered clues, creating an organic progression system that respects player intelligence while potentially challenging modern expectations.
Unique Setting Blends Historical Realism with Fantasy Elements
Set in the mid-1990s during a brutal civil war, Hell Is Us presents the fictional country of Hadea as a blend of British countryside and Eastern European aesthetics. The game's protagonist, Rémi, is a military deserter returning to his homeland, equipped with anachronistically advanced technology including handheld computers and scanning drones.
The world design incorporates ancient civilizations alongside modern conflict, creating what Jacques-Belletête describes as a Cairo-like juxtaposition where contemporary life exists among historical ruins. This approach allows the team to explore themes of cultural memory and technological advancement without being constrained by specific geographical or historical accuracy.
Combat and Exploration Draw from Diverse Gaming Traditions
While initial impressions might suggest a soulslike experience, Hell Is Us actually combines elements from various gaming genres. The combat system features third-person melee mechanics, but the overall structure more closely resembles classic titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Silent Hill, and Resident Evil in terms of progression and puzzle design.
The game organizes content into three categories: Investigations (main story elements), Mysteries (related to Hadea's ancient history), and Good Deeds (focused on civil war consequences). This structure supports a semi-open world design where players revisit locations as new information becomes available.
 |
|---|
| This settings menu image highlights the customizable combat difficulty options, demonstrating how players can tailor their challenge in Hell Is Us |
Accessibility Features Balance Challenge with Player Choice
Despite its demanding design philosophy, Hell Is Us includes customizable difficulty options. Players can choose from three preset difficulty levels or create granular adjustments to enemy health, damage output, aggressiveness, and death penalties. This approach allows the developers to maintain their vision of a challenging experience while accommodating different player preferences.
A Steam demo will be available from June 2-16, 2025, allowing PC players to experience the game's opening hour before the full release. Console demos face technical constraints and will not be available, making the PC demo particularly valuable for players uncertain about the game's unique approach to modern adventure gaming.