Summary

Hell is Usis Rogue Factor’s exciting newthird-person action-adventure gamethat turned heads when it was first revealed at PlayStation’s September State of Play event. The trailer showed off an eerie world with horror and psychological elements, alongside impressive combat scenes that players immediatelycompared to FromSoftware’s triumphantDemon’s Soulstitle andDark Soulsfranchise.

This is mainly due to the third-person view and methodical melee combat, as the character is seen dodging fearsome attacks from intimidating enemies. There’s been a major influx of games influenced byDark SoulsandElden Ringin recent times, and many fail to satisfy fans of the genre. So, here are some waysHell is Uscan be a successful Souls-like.

Hell is Us character running from enemies with weapon in hand

10Rewarding Combat

Give Players Something To Master

Combat is arguably one of the most important aspects of any Soulslike, as players love the methodical yet rewarding grind found in FromSoftware’s titles.Hell is Uslooks to have some of that charm, with a variety of weapons and abilities to master.

Fans of the Soulslike genre love a challenge, and they don’t just want tough enemies. Having combat that garners practice and perfection to eliminate foes efficiently is something that compliments difficult fights, giving players something to aim for, a skill to polish.

Hell is Us character in dungeon with statues

9Deep Lore & World Building

A Rabbit Hole Of Mystery And Story

It’s as simple as this — Souls fans appreciate detailed and mysteriouslycomplex world-building. WhileHell is Usdoesn’t necessarily need to be as cryptic asDark SoulsandElden Ring, lore that players discover as they explore will satisfy those looking for a story to uncover.

The community doesn’t want the story spelled out to them. Instead, small bits of information on item descriptions and obscure interactions with characters can go a long way in creating a dedicated fanbase of lore historians.

Hell is Us character attacking enemy

8Impressive Boss Fights

A Worthy Challenge That Tests The Player

FromSoftware’s incredibly crafted bosses have become iconic in every sense of the word, influencing many games to create more and more challenging boss fights.Hell is Us’sci-fi horror settingposes a great opportunity to give players impressive boss fights, both gameplay-wise and visually.

The supernatural theme gives rise to creativity and has already been seen, enemies will take on a terrifying look. Having bosses that encapsulate the game’s mysterious and terrifying concept, along with impressive arenas and build-up to boss reveals is something that Soulslike fans will appreciate.

Hell is Us character standing before enemies

7Varied Enemies

There’s Beauty In Variety

A healthy variety of enemy types is also a vital element of Soulslike titles, as it keeps things interesting by putting players on their toes.

On top of mastering combat, having an array of enemy types that pose different threats keeps players entertained. The need to learn how each of these enemies fight is another learning curb in Souls games that fans love, as new encounters feel refreshing and test different aspects of a player’s skills.

Hell is Us character running through field

6Detailed Environments

Graphical Fidelity Pushes Immersion

It seems like a standard in modern gaming, but a lot of Soulslikes fall to the wayside if their environments are bland and uninteresting. From what we’ve seen so far,Hell is Ushas a unique setting with a lot of potential, sographical fidelity and impressive world designwill allow players to get lost in the game.

From war-torn villages and marshlands to mysterious alien-like buildings and structures,Hell is Uslooks as if it’s set to nail immersion. It’s a major aspect of a Soulslike, as players need to buy into an epic journey, and so the path along the way needs to push that feeling.

Hell is Us character fighting enemies

5RPG Elements

Players Want Depth

An important aspect of any Soulslike is its RPG elements. That could be equipment-based progression, player stats and customization, or even Perks and skill trees that evolve as the player levels up.

A Soulslike game needs to have some of these elements to create that feeling of progression. Players start off with minimal abilities and gear, but as they progress, their stats increase and they tailor their player character to suit their desired playstyle.

Hell is Us character standing in front of enemy

4Satisfying Dodge

A Staple Mechanic Of The Genre

It may seem a little trivial, but having an effective dodge mechanic is one of the core elements of a Soulslike title. Gaining invincibility frames while perfectly timing a dodge is extremely satisfying, especially against tougher enemies.

It’s a mechanic that many fans would say is inherentlyDark Souls, and it’s been recreated successfully by many Soulslike titles, such asBlack Myth: WukongandNioh.From what we’ve seen so far,Hell is Uswill feature a dodge that seems to make the player immune to damage during the animation, but fans will have to get hands-on before deeming it worthy of Souls-like status.

Hell is Us character walking through town

3Limited Resources

The Art Form of Item Usage

Knowing when to use resources in aSoulsgame is a skill in itself, as not only will players find items for specific situations, but they’ll also need to be frugal with heals and stamina if they want to give themselves the best chance.

It adds yet another challenging element to the mix, andHell is Us’Soulslike combat would be the perfect fit for such a design. Limited heals give the player something to think about, being more frugal with their movements so that they don’t take too much damage and deplete their stamina bar while taking on enemies.

Hell is Us environment screenshot

2Entertaining Exploration

Rewarding The Player For Foraging

There’s nothing quite like going off the beaten path and being rewarded for it.Hell is Uswill feature asemi-open world, a formatSoulsfans will be extremely familiar with. The disappointment in finding another route that doesn’t award the player is not a fun experience, but FromSoftware has mastered it over the years, rewarding players for exploring every nook and cranny.

To makeHell is Usall the more enjoyable and immersive, players need to be rewarded for foraging in the different areas of the game. Whether it’s a collectible, weapon, or a useful item, it’s always great to receive a gift after finding an area that less thorough players will stumble upon.

Hell is Us character with drone

1Unique Mechanics

A Separating Factor That Brings Something New

Those who are fans ofSoulsgames may never get bored of the gameplay loop. However, Soulslikes need to have elements that separate them from being yet another clone. Aunique gameplay mechanicthat sets it aside from FromSoftware’s games and other Soulslikes will giveHell is Usits own identity, bringing innovation to the genre.

Whether it’s to do with combat or how players interact with the world, unique gameplay elements that make the title feel different and new will go a long way in makingHell is Usa success. One of the most interesting aspects ofHell is Usthat has been seen so far is the Drone, which could be the title’s special, unique element.