Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 78 | 200 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 97 | 2 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 85% | 79 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 80 | 241 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 84% | 78 | 3000 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 12, 2025) · 300 reviews sampled · 4222 total reviews in window · weighted 189.3 up / 39.4 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (154)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 75
“Hell Is Us makes bold choices: no hand-holding, no maps, no shortcuts. That design philosophy is both its biggest strength and its biggest frustration.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Hell is Us offers a blend of exploration and puzzles in a world free of maps and markers, which pushes you to truly care about exploration to find your way. While the game suffers from repetition and weakness in combat, it is considered an experience worth trying for fans of mystery games.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Hell is Us isn’t perfect, but it’s a highly enjoyable experience. While the story and characters don’t quite hit the mark, its rich mythology, striking world design, and varied combat make it easy to recommend. It’s not a Souls-like, but this adventure packs plenty of soul.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite the limited bestiary, difficulties in exploring the world, and not the most engaging plot, Hell is Us is impossible to put down.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 100
“Hell is Us is a unique adventure that invites us to discover a world in ruins ravaged by the cruelty of war, where the dark side of humanity drives the entire experience. The title by Rogue Factor isn't perfect, but it touches on very interesting topics within its narrative, such as hell, and transposes it to its reality, in the heart and soul of humans.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Upsetting and relevant as it often is, Hell Is Us isn’t exactly pointedly angry about right-wing fanaticism, genocide, and how easily populations can be manipulated.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Hell Is Us excels in its atmosphere, story, and mystery-solving and puzzle-solving, although the repetitive enemies can make combat a bit tiresome. The story, combined with investigation and exploration, makes for an engaging experience. Hell Is Us isn't for everyone, and those seeking intense combat may be disappointed. Those seeking something different can find a good experience here.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Hell is Us is a fascinating yet deeply ambivalent experience. It’s a game that deserves admiration for its courage to go against the grain and reject modern gaming conventions. Its world is incredibly atmospheric, mapless exploration is immersive, and the puzzles are cleverly designed. If you’re in the right frame of mind, you’re in for an incredible treat. The combat is also fun, though it can become repetitive over time, though that wasn’t really the case for me. I finished the game in twenty hours, which seems like too short a time to get fed up with it. If you’re looking for a unique atmosphere and aren’t afraid of a game that will punish you for inattention, Hadea will captivate you. But if you’re not particularly creative when it comes to navigation and are expecting something in the style of Assassin’s Creed, this isn’t quite for you.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Hell Is Us is an interesting experiment that deviates from the standard hand-holding exploration games and lets the players play on their own with little to no guidance. However, simplistic combat with a bit of reflex-based healing mechanics will deter casual gamers or even curious players that do not want to invest so much time in learning specific timings. However, for the patient and tenacious players, they will find a lot of fun here. ”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Hell Is Us is one of the most unique gaming experiences of the year, bringing some of the most intricate and memorable puzzles in recent memory, accompanied by superb exploration mechanics.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“We’d recommend Hell is Us to anyone who enjoys dark, challenging adventures that don’t pander to the player. Don’t expect comfort or casual fun - this is a game designed to make you think, not unwind.”
read full review ↗
Gamepressure
Eternal Games
TheReviewGeek
GameMAG
3DNews
La Orden del Pixel
Slant Magazine
GameFM
Gaming Professors
PLAY Zine
The Nerd Stash
EmuGlx.org…and 142 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update 1.7 - New Guardian Detector - Patch notesJul 23, 2026
- Update 1.6 - Hotfix 1 - Patch notesApr 22, 2026
- Patch Notes - Version 1.5Jan 13, 2026
- Hell is Us | Patch NotesSep 23, 2025
- HELL IS US – New Demo Patch NotesAug 12, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Community Update #3Jul 11, 2025
- Steam Next Fest Patch | DemoJun 9, 2025
- Hell is Us | Community Update #1May 12, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Developer Update: Creating the WorldJul 7, 2022