When you first jump into Hell is Us, it can feel overwhelming. Unlike most modern action games, there’s no minimap, no glowing quest markers, and very little hand-holding. Instead, you’re dropped into a surreal, war-torn land where you’ll need to rely on observation, intuition, and strategy to survive.
You play as Remi, a man returning to his fractured homeland, where strange anomalies and hostile creatures roam. If you rush in and treat it like a simple hack-and-slash, you’ll get crushed. But with patience and the right approach, Hell is Us becomes one of the most rewarding exploration-driven action games in years.
To help you on your journey, here are 7 beginner-friendly Hell is Us tips and tricks that will make your adventure smoother and far less punishing.
1. Keep Track of Clues
Hell is Us doesn’t log every piece of information you find. Letters, NPC hints, or references to landmarks may not appear in your menus. Don’t ignore them — they often come into play hours later, helping you solve puzzles or unlock hidden areas.
Pro tip: Keep a notebook or use your phone to jot down codes, symbols, and place names. It feels old-school, but it saves you from wandering in circles later.
2. Treat the APC as Your Hub
The APC is more than just a fast-travel point. It evolves into your main hub for upgrades, story progression, and trading research items.
Revisit old areas through the APC — they often change once you’ve gained new tools. Later in the game, when Tania joins you, the APC becomes even more valuable, guiding you toward Vaults of Forbidden Knowledge with top-tier rewards.
Think of the APC as your safe space and information center, not just a taxi.
3. Use Your Compass Like a Map
Since there’s no map in Hell is Us, NPCs give directions in natural language (“head north past the ruins,” “look west from the river”). That means you’ll need to rely on your compass and landmarks.
Get into the habit of checking your compass often. Once you do, exploration feels purposeful instead of random wandering.
4. Master the Healing Pulse
Healing items are rare in Hell is Us, so relying only on consumables is a mistake. Instead, focus on the Healing Pulse mechanic.
When you land attacks, a faint white glow surrounds Remi. Triggering Healing Pulse at the right moment absorbs that energy into health. This is vital since your health and stamina are linked — losing health reduces max stamina, making combat harder.
Learn this early, and you’ll survive longer without draining supplies.
5. Don’t Button-Mash — Block and Parry
Combat in Hell is Us punishes recklessness. Blocking should be your go-to move, since it reduces damage and builds pressure on enemy stagger meters. Once stagger breaks, you can unleash devastating finishers.
Parrying is even better. Watch for enemies glowing red before they strike — that’s your cue to parry. A successful parry stuns them, leaving them open for huge damage. It takes practice, but once mastered, fights that seemed impossible suddenly become manageable.
6. Upgrade Your Drone and Glyphs
Your drone isn’t just a flashlight. With upgrades, it can distract enemies, attack groups, or slam into foes. Use these abilities liberally; they’re designed to give you breathing room in tough battles.
Meanwhile, Glyphs enhance your weapons with effects like health drain or stamina reduction. Visit the blacksmith in Jova to upgrade both weapons and glyphs — turning combat from brute force into strategy.
7. Clear Timeloops Early
Big glowing domes packed with enemies are Timeloops. While active, they cause endless enemy respawns, making exploration frustrating.
To close a Timeloop:
- Find and defeat its Guardian.
- Use an Amine Prism to collapse the loop.
- Note: Some loops require specific Prism types, so keep collecting them as you explore.
Clearing a Timeloop not only makes areas safer but also rewards you with valuable loot. Don’t ignore them.
Hell is Us is designed to make you pay attention to the world rather than rely on waypoints. By keeping notes, mastering the Healing Pulse, making smart use of the APC, and tackling Timeloops head-on, you’ll transform the experience from frustrating to deeply rewarding.
Approach it with patience and curiosity, and you’ll find one of the most unique action-adventure journeys in recent years.
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