Hell is Us Redefines Sci-Fi Action-RPGs with a Bold “New-Weird” Vision

Rogue Factor's next big thing, Hell is Us, is looking like no other game in recent memory. Published by Nacon and heading for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC sometime in 2025, the game is blending sci-fi, psychological mystery, and eerie atmosphere in ways that feel both strange and fascinating. Developers say it’s “new-weird,” and the phrase kind of fits, though it’s hard to say exactly what that means until you see it in motion.

Story That Doesn’t Tell You Much

The setting is a country, destroyed by war and isolated from the rest of the world, where strange things keep happening. The main character returns home to figure out their past and make sense of the place they once left behind. But this isn’t the usual kind of story-driven game. Instead of long dialogue scenes or codex entries, Hell is Us gives you very little, letting you piece things together on your own.

The mysterious creatures called “Calamities” are not explained clearly—they just are. They seem to represent emotions or trauma, but even that’s not really spelled out. Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, who worked before on Deus Ex: Human Revolution, says the game is not about “explaining,” but about feeling. You experience first, then maybe understand later—or maybe not at all.

No Map, Just You and the World

There’s not much in terms of traditional HUD here. You won’t find a quest marker telling you where to go, and there’s no map constantly reminding you what’s nearby. 

Combat is close-range and uses mostly melee weapons like swords and spear-type gear. Each one is made for certain types of Calamities, so learning how to fight them takes some trial and error. It’s not just about action—it’s about connection and reaction, in a way.

Unreal Engine 5 and the Look of the Strange

Visually, the game uses Unreal Engine 5 to deliver a very strong sense of place. At times, it’s realistic—crumbling towns, foggy forests—but then there are moments that feel off, almost dreamlike. That mix is deliberate. Creatures are grotesque and surreal, but never random. They seem to mean something, though it’s hard to say what.

The art direction avoids anything typical for sci-fi. Instead of sleek tech or familiar aliens, you get shapes and beings that seem pulled from subconscious fears or memories.

Risky, But Maybe That’s the Point

Hell is Us isn’t aiming for the usual kind of success. It wants to be weird, quiet, and mysterious. That might frustrate some players, but for those looking for something unusual—something that doesn’t explain everything—it could be a surprise standout. Whether it works or not, the game is definitely doing something different, and maybe that’s exactly what the genre needs.