Hell Is Others

Multiplayer survival games have been gaining popularity for quite some time already. Many have attempted to top titles such as PUBG, Fortnite, and Escape from Tarkov, though tend to stay very close to the style of these popular games. Every now and then, however, something gets released and manages to make a name for itself, coming up with something different. This is true of the 2D survival game Hell is Others (developed by Strelka Games), in which nothing is quite as it seems.

Hell is Others is set in Century City. The city itself and the world that features in this game could be described as a perfect blend of the Lovecraft stories, the visuals of Bioshock, and the surrealism of David Lynch.

Players take on the role of Adam Smithson, a lonely citizen who has to leave his apartment every night to go out and hunt monstrous beings for blood to... Water his plants – even if that entails risking his own life.

As soon as you get stuck in, you’ll be thinking that the game does not fit the description. It comes across as more of an adventure game than a multiplayer survival game, despite that being the premise of it. Don't freak out though – it's just a prelude to what actually awaits in terms of hard-core gameplay. In the first few minutes, we are filled in a bit on the story, the ins and out of the game, and our character. This is done by 2D walking through the corridors of Adam’s apartment block and interacting with other tenants.

Every night you descend to the street using the elevator and, when you get there, gameplay changes suddenly to twin-stick shooter style from birds eye view. The main idea is this: search for supplies far and wide as evil creatures roam the streets trying to attack and kill you. Your time outside is limited, and if that time runs out, you’re dead. So, you must make it back to the elevator in good time and return to your apartment safe and sound, along with all the supplies you’ve managed to gather.

Possibly the most surprising thing about gameplay is that enemies and supplies can only be seen when they are within your line of vision. I.e., you can only see them if you look directly at them. This means that if an enemy is a metre behind you, they’re invisible to you unless you actually look in their direction. But there’s not too much cause for concern, as Adam can sense an enemy approaching and which direction they’re coming from – thanks to a radar system surrounding him which says how close they are and how many to expect.

That’s not all, however. Something else is lurking out there, and it’s the name of the game. Hell is Others is literal. In addition to AI-controlled enemies, you must also watch out for human enemies controlled by other players, who will not hesitate to kill you for your supplies. Essentially, you are in a PvPvE in which both users and the AI-controlled monsters are a real threat. This makes things quite complicated at times, especially in the first few hours of play.

Audiovisually, this game has a very distinct art style – not just aesthetically, but also regarding original ideas and concepts. Sounds are especially important in this game, as you need to be aware of certain noises in order to survive. A growl from the enemy, or the sound of a distant gunshot, should put you on high alert.

Hell is Others is a real breath of fresh air for the multiplayer survival genre and is a title to be reckoned with. It's impossible not to fall in love with the aesthetics and approach, plus gameplay is engaging and keeps you on the edge of your seat every step of the way.