The walls of Hell is Us are talking—and no, it’s not just the ghosts. With its September 4 launch looming, developer Rogue Factor has dropped a fresh gameplay video diving into the game’s mysterious dungeon system, and it looks like players are in for more than just your average monster mash.
Creative director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête (you know, that Deus Ex guy) walks us through the design philosophy behind these ancient, puzzle-box catacombs hidden deep in the war-torn nation of Hadea. And no, these aren’t just optional side diversions—they’re central to both the story and the action.
Dungeon Crawling With Purpose
In Hell is Us, dungeons aren’t map markers to check off—they’re moody, handcrafted labyrinths dripping with atmosphere and mystery. Each one plays like a self-contained story, requiring players to battle bizarre enemies, use their heads (and their swords), and pay serious attention to their surroundings.
According to Jacques-Belletête, this all ties into the game’s “player-plattering” philosophy. Translation? No mini-map breadcrumbs, no “go here” icons—just your own curiosity, instinct, and occasional blind panic. Every dungeon is unique, loaded with environmental storytelling and capped off with a climactic showdown that feeds directly into the game’s broader narrative.
Fight First, Ask Questions Later
You’ll play as Rémi, a man on a journey to uncover his past in a nation that’s literally falling apart at the seams. Armed with specially forged weapons designed to deal with the region’s monument-themed monstrosities, you’ll clash steel with the supernatural while unraveling the dark secrets buried beneath Hadea’s surface.
Hell is Us lands September 4 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. If this new dungeon deep dive is anything to go by, you’ll want to pack your best puzzle-solving instincts—and maybe a backup sword, just in case.