Hell Is Us borrows the close-quarters combat feel associated with Soulslikes, but it is better understood as an action-adventure built around investigation and self-directed exploration. Its biggest departure is also its clearest dividing line: there is no map, compass, or quest-marker trail to follow.
Is Hell Is Us a Soulslike?
It has a recognizable Soulslike resemblance in combat, and Steam includes a Souls-like tag. GameSpot likewise describes the melee as looking and feeling like Soulsborne combat. But those comparisons do not define the whole game: Nacon officially positions Hell Is Us as a third-person action-adventure that combines exploration with intense melee fighting.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Hell is Us – PlayStation 5 | $44.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Maximum Entertainment 34 Sports Games - World Edition (PS5) | $26.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration - PS5 | $44.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
SAROS PS5 | $63.81 | Buy on Amazon |
The distinction matters because the game’s identity rests as much on finding your way and solving problems as on fighting. GameSpot compares its exploration to classic point-and-click adventures, while Game Informer also highlights exploration and puzzle-solving. The Soulslike label is useful shorthand for one part of the experience, not a complete genre description.
How exploration works without a map
Nacon says Hell Is Us has no map, compass, or quest markers. Rather than follow a sequence of icons, you are expected to pay attention to your surroundings and use your own judgment to decide where to go. Conversations, environmental clues, and puzzles are central to how that approach works.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute#1 Best Overall
- A HOSTILE WORLD: In addition to the civil war dividing the country, the region is suffering from a mysterious calamity, which has given rise to supernatural creatures that no modern weapon can defeat. Your drone and sword from a different age are your faithful allies as you cut a path through lands infested with terrifying chimeras and try to unravel the mystery of their appearance.
- A UNIQUE EXPLORATION SYSTEM: No map, no compass, no quest markers. Following your instincts is part of the adventure. Enjoy a unique experience that uses innovative writing and level design to let you make your own decisions and follow your instincts as you explore. Your discoveries are yours alone.
- COMBAT AGAINST ORIGINAL CREATURES: Swords, spears and axes. A wide range of weapons forged specially for fighting these supernatural creatures is available. You must learn how to fight these monsters and use your drone wisely to stay alive.
- 'The central theme of Hell is Us is that human violence is a perpetual cycle fueled by human emotions and passions.'' – Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, Creative Director
This makes exploration more active than marker-led navigation: progress depends on interpreting information rather than simply heading toward a displayed objective. That can be appealing if you enjoy piecing together clues and finding your own route. If you rely on maps or quest logs to keep track of goals, the same design may feel disorienting. The publisher presents that uncertainty as intentional, but it will not suit every player.
What the Soulslike comparison gets right—and misses
- Combat: The melee has a Soulsborne-like feel, according to GameSpot, making the comparison meaningful for players who recognize that style of encounter.
- Navigation: Unlike games that guide you with a map, compass, and quest markers, Hell Is Us deliberately omits all three.
- Problem-solving: Exploration and puzzles have a prominent role, giving the game a more investigative dimension than the combat comparison alone suggests.
- Multiplayer: Nacon describes it as a solo narrative adventure; there is no multiplayer or cooperative mode.
The available coverage supports the combat resemblance and the exploration contrast, but it does not establish a definitive verdict on combat depth, difficulty, or progression. Those are not safe conclusions to draw from a genre tag or a comparison alone.
Rank #2
- Enter the stadium and take part of one of the biggest competitions across 34 sports: from swimming, soccer, extreme bike, weightlifting, trampoline and much more!
- Defend your own country and visit the World: United States, Australia, Japan, France…
- Train yourself alone or compete with your friends!
- An enhanced version of “30 Sport Games in 1”, with revamped design, new games and more customisation!
Is Hell Is Us worth considering if you dislike Soulslikes?
The answer depends on what you dislike. If your main concern is Soulslike-style combat, the resemblance is real, so this is not a promise of combat wholly unlike the genre. If what puts you off is being directed through a familiar map-and-marker structure, Hell Is Us takes a notably different approach: it asks you to navigate through observation, conversations, and puzzle-solving.
That makes it a plausible option for players curious about action-adventure exploration but wary of treating every challenge as a combat test. It is a less obvious fit if you want detailed navigation aids or co-op. The available sources do not establish a universal difficulty level, so difficulty alone is not a reliable basis for recommending it either way.
Rank #3
- 100+ classic games lovingly presented with best-in-class emulation and modern quality-of-life enhancements – and the ability to play classic games that have not been available for ages
- Discover the brand that launched the modern video game industry and the creative individuals behind it through interviews, archival images, special source material and behind-the-scenes content within an interactive timeline
- Emulation of games created for seven hardware platforms: Arcade, Atari 800, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Atari Jaguar, Atari Lynx
- Over 60 minutes of exclusive interviews with key players in the games industry – from early Atari designers and engineers and other luminaries of the gaming world -- as they discuss Atari’s enduring impact on the video entertainment landscape
- A retrospective on gaming history that is a must-own for collectors and fans of video games
Platforms and release information
Nacon lists Hell Is Us for PS5, Xbox, and PC, with physical and digital editions. The standard release date shown by the publisher is September 4, 2025. For a PS5 physical copy, the relevant product description is “physical PS5 edition of Hell Is Us”; the sources here do not establish a current price or stock status.
Story themes
The game’s stated thematic focus is human violence as a cycle driven by emotion and passion. Nacon’s FAQ attributes that description to creative director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête: “The central theme of Hell Is Us is that human violence is a perpetual cycle fueled by human emotions and passions.”
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- A fast-paced, cinematic action game set on the shape-shifting Carcosa
- Stunning graphics and gameplay
- Master bullet ballet combat
- Experience an unconventional story and journey
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
