NACON and the studio Rogue Factor have announced the official release of Hell is Us, the team’s most ambitious project, now available today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The title stands out for its unique approach to game design, termed “player-plattering”, which invites players to explore and reflect without relying on indicators or mission logs. No directional arrows or explicit objectives: progression is based on curiosity and instinct, leading to the discovery of villages, forgotten secrets and other locations within Hadea, the mysterious and war-torn setting.
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The protagonist, Remi, returns to his homeland — the place from which he was torn as a child — with the dual objective of fulfilling his mission as a member of the peacekeeping forces and investigating the secrets tied to his origins and his parents’ abandonment. Amidst the tension of the civil conflict comes the mystery of the Calamità, a supernatural phenomenon that gives rise to creatures resembling stone, inspired by monuments and tombs in the region. The combat system, while playing an important role, does not aim to deliver a “Souls-like” experience. Instead, it was designed to seamlessly integrate exploration and investigation phases, keeping the narrative at the heart of the experience. Players will have access to various weapons, unique abilities, and the support of KAPI, a drone capable of distracting enemies or aiding special attacks.
Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, creative and artistic director of Rogue Factor, has stated:
“The release of Hell is Us today marks a turning point in the history of our studio. Produced entirely by our team of 55 employees, with the help of NACON for support functions, this project is the first step toward realizing our ambitions: to offer captivating, mature, and memorable gaming experiences to an enthusiastic and expert audience seeking unique and complex flavors. Over the past five years, we have poured our soul and energy into bringing the world of Hell is Us to life, and we sincerely hope players enjoy playing it as much as we enjoyed creating it.”
