High Hell (PC) Review

That won't stop players from wondering about the plot just a little once they get a glance of the menacing protagonist in a mirror. At least her terrifying looks imply she stands against the presumably seedy underbelly that the baddies prop up with suits, wads of cash, guns and resistance. Of course, it's just a passing thought players might have, as they pause before throwing themselves back into the game's rapid absurdity.

High Hell is abstract by nature, with a very harsh art design that is matched by a similarly hard-edged approach to gameplay. There are twenty missions to push through, and while they start off on a digestible level of difficulty, things quickly escalate to the point where players will be regularly overwhelmed by foes.

Such is their shot accuracy that one will be tempted to kick a door down then cower back around the corner. Whether choosing to inch their way out a safe angle to cope with multiple strategically placed in-waiting enemies, or trying to tempt some of them into seeking you out, it will probably lead to a quick demise.

In other words, High Hell doesn't put the emphasis on super intelligent enemies, but rather on the sheer volume of them. Making it through a level is not a question of checking every corner on your way, so the sense of exhilaration is mostly derived from its amped-up sense of risk versus reward - when you finally take the decision to kick a door down, with no other game plan than to not stop blasting.

One imagines that a week or two from now, there'll be some good compilations made out of streamers psyching themselves up, as they stand before a door, getting ready to hit E to smash it down, and hoping to make it this time round. Each level lasts no more than a few minutes, and there are no difficulty modifiers to be found to make any of it any easier. This decision does indicate that High Hell is designed with speedrunners in mind, as well as those inclined towards simple, but technically demanding arcade indie experiences.

This is also illustrated by the lack of pad support, promoting only tactile mouse precision, which looks heaps better in stream compilations! The game's default controls are on the flinch-provoking side, though lowering the high sensitivity inhibits the ability to spin on a whim and to react in time to enemies who have snuck up behind the player. Most foes only take a hit or two, except for some boss fights, and the player, likewise, can only withstand a few shots before hitting the deck. It's testament to the successful blend of FPS and older arcade elements that this makes a compelling challenge that keeps fans coming back for quick thrills.