Hell is Us is one of those titles that instantly captured gamers’ attention from the very first teasers. Soulslike combat, dark fantasy vibes, a cryptic narrative, and world exploration without a map — that’s a mix many of us saw as a dream come true.

A hybrid blending brutal combat games, psychological horror, and atmospheric exploration games quickly gained a loyal following. No wonder the hunger for more titles in this style grew so fast.

GameReleaseGenreDeveloperVideo
Voltage High Society 2022-07-27 Indie Platonic Partnership
Death Stranding | Director's Cut 2022-03-30 Indie & Role-playing (RPG) Kojima Productions
Horizon Zero Dawn 2017-02-17 Adventure & Role-playing (RPG) Guerrilla Games
Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order 2019-11-15 Adventure Respawn Entertainment
Vampyr 2018-06-05 Adventure & Puzzle DONTNOD Entertainment
Ashen 2018-12-07 Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure A44
The Lords Of The Fallen 2023-10-13 Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure HEXWORKS
Lies Of P 2023-09-19 Role-playing (RPG) Round8 Studio
Mortal Shell 2021-08-18 Indie & Role-playing (RPG) Cold Symmetry
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers 2025-07-24 Indie & Role-playing (RPG) Leenzee Games

Haven’t had the chance to play Hell Is Us yet? Or maybe that game left you craving more similar games? We’ve put together a ranking of 10 Hell Is Us alternatives — soulslike games, immersive RPGs, gothic action games, and dark fantasy action RPGs that mix brutal combat with story-rich narratives and freeform exploration. The list is ordered from #10 up to the absolute top pick.

#10 Voltage High Society

Release date:2022-07-27
Genre:FPS
Developer:Platonic Partnership

Voltage High Society is a retro-cyberpunk FPS inspired by the classics of the 80s and 90s. It’s very different from standard RPGs, but like Hell Is Us, it thrives on brutal combat and a heavy, suffocating atmosphere that sits somewhere between horror and sci-fi.

You explore a grim futuristic city overrun by cybernetic monsters, collecting weapons and abilities that open up new locations. The game’s raw tone is full of tension and unpredictability, while the minimalist graphics only add to its oppressive mood.

You may like it because
  • It’s a retro-cyberpunk horror action game full of brutal encounters and a dense atmosphere.
  • The metroidvania-style city exploration echoes the discovery-driven feel of Hell Is Us.
  • The retro style makes it stand out among modern narrative-driven action games.

#9 Death Stranding

Release date:2022-03-30
Genre:Adventure, Walking Simulator
Developer:Kojima Productions

Hideo Kojima delivered one of the most unusual narrative-driven action games of recent years. You step into the shoes of Sam Porter Bridges, a courier trying to reconnect isolated American settlements after a cataclysm. It’s a lonely journey balanced on the edge of life and death, where atmosphere and exploration are front and center.

A world without a traditional map, resource management, and encounters with both supernatural threats and hostile humans forces you to stay focused and plan ahead. The mood is melancholic, symbolic, and tense — something Hell Is Us fans will recognize.

You may like it because
  • It offers atmospheric exploration where every step and choice matters.
  • A narrative and mood make the game an experience, not just gameplay.
  • It has emotional, brutal encounters that can genuinely give you chills.

#8 Horizon Zero Dawn

Release date:2017-02-17
Genre:Shooter & Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure
Developer:Guerrilla Games

Horizon is a third-person action RPG where the beauty of nature collides with the brutality of machines. You play as Aloy, an outcast huntress uncovering the secrets of a lost civilization while trying to save humanity from destruction. Like Hell Is Us, it weaves narrative, exploration, and combat together in a unique way.

An open world full of secrets, tactical fights against mechanical beasts, and a story of civilizational downfall make for a gripping mix. The post-apocalyptic setting and stunning enemy designs make Horizon stand out among other story-rich games.

You may like it because
  • It offers a rich story that keeps you hooked for hours.
  • Battles with machines require strategy and creativity.
  • Open-world exploration offers massive freedom.

#7 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Release date:2019-11-15
Genre:Adventure
Developer:Respawn Entertainment

One of the best soulslike games on the market, Fallen Order casts you as Cal — a young Padawan surviving after Order 66 and working to rebuild the Jedi Order. It’s a story packed with exploration, battles, and uncovering the past, with a mood that resonates with Hell Is Us.

Precise lightsaber combat, metroidvania-style planet exploration, and environmental puzzles give the game depth. Mixing the iconic Star Wars universe with soulslike mechanics creates a formula that draws in both sci-fi fans and third-person action RPG lovers.

You may like it because
  • It’s a third-person action RPG with brutal, reflex-driven combat.
  • Planetary exploration is full of secrets and ruins.
  • A narrative is focused on choices and character growth.

#6 Vampyr

Release date:2018-06-05
Genre:RPG
Developer:DONTNOD Entertainment

Vampyr transports you to London in 1918, during the Spanish flu epidemic. You play as Dr. Jonathan Reid, freshly turned into a vampire, torn between his oath as a doctor and his insatiable hunger for blood. Gothic atmosphere and moral dilemmas make it a natural fit for Hell Is Us fans.

Brutal combat mixes with exploration and interactions with the city’s inhabitants. Choices have real consequences, and developing your powers at the cost of innocent lives adds weight. It’s a gothic action game and a story-rich RPG where every decision carries massive significance.

You may like it because
  • It’s a gothic action game that confronts you with tough moral choices.
  • It has brutal fights mixed with reflective, slower moments.
  • Dark fantasy blends with psychological drama.

#5 Ashen

Release date:2018-12-07
Genre:Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure & Indie
Developer:A44

In Ashen, the sun has vanished, and humanity struggles to survive. You play as a wanderer searching for a new home. This indie gem leans on minimalist visuals but offers surprisingly deep mechanics.

The harsh, dangerous open world encourages cooperation with NPCs and other players. Its melancholic tone mirrors that of Hell Is Us, while the distinctive art style and settlement-building system set Ashen apart from other immersive RPGs.

You may like it because
  • It’s a third-person action RPG with a focus on exploration.
  • It has a world with atmosphere and secrets that make every discovery rewarding.
  • Soulslike combat demands patience and focus.

#4 Lords of the Fallen

Release date:2023-10-13
Genre:Role-playing (RPG) & Adventure
Developer:HEXWORKS

In Lords of the Fallen, you play a crusader venturing between the lands of the living and the dead to overthrow the dark god. A reboot of the classic from CI Games, it’s one of the most traditional dark fantasy action RPGs out there, tailor-made for fans of Hell Is Us.

The game features punishing combat, exploration of gothic ruins, and lore hidden in descriptions and environments. Its biggest twist? The ability to shift between two worlds — the living and the dead. Monumental locations and heavy gothic design leave a lasting impression.

You may like it because
  • It’s a dark, gothic mood reminiscent of Hell Is Us.
  • It has ruins that beg to be explored.
  • It has a deep combat system with plenty of build variety.

#3 Lies of P

Release date:2023-09-19
Genre:Role-playing (RPG)
Developer:Round8 Studio

Lies of P reimagines the tale of Pinocchio in a dark fantasy setting. The city of Krat is drowning in chaos, and you must fight to survive. Brutal combat, a cryptic world, and fragmented storytelling all echo Hell Is Us.

It’s a full-blooded Soulslike with combat systems, crafting, and moral choices. Exploring the eerie city recalls the unsettling spaces of Hell Is Us, while the blend of fairytale and brutal gothic action games makes it unique.

You may like it because
  • Gothic style with a surreal, nightmarish atmosphere.
  • Soulslike combat rewards precision and patience.
  • Moral decisions shape the story’s outcome.

#2 Mortal Shell II

Release date:2026 TBA
Genre:Role-playing (RPG) & Indie
Developer:Cold Symmetry

Mortal Shell II casts you as the Harbinger, tasked with reclaiming the stolen Ova. The guardians won’t hand them over without bloodshed, and the journey is both brutal and grotesque. Its heavy tone is reminiscent of Hell Is Us.

The gameplay builds on the foundation of the first game: demanding battles, exploration, and slow-burn storytelling revealed piece by piece. Every enemy is deadly, keeping you on edge.

You may like it because
  • It’s a third-person action RPG centered on mood and narrative.
  • Brutal combat demands precision and tactical thinking.
  • A grotesque world that never hands you answers easily.

#1 WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

Release date:2025-07-24
Genre:Souls-like, RPG
Developer:Leenzee Games

WUCHANG transports you to 17th-century China during the collapse of the Ming dynasty. You play a warrior woman afflicted by a mysterious disease that causes mutations. It’s a story of survival in a world consumed by plague and dread.

Like Hell Is Us, it emphasizes dark fantasy storytelling and brutal, mapless combat. Exploration is all about discovery, trial, and walking the razor’s edge between hope and fear. The heroine’s disease not only shapes the narrative, but also affects gameplay mechanics.

You may like it because
  • It’s a story-rich action RPG with a gothic vibe.
  • Exploration is the key to survival.
  • Brutal fights and suffocating dark fantasy atmosphere keep the tension high.

That’s our ranking of 10 Hell Is Us alternatives. From gothic action games and immersive RPGs to atmospheric exploration games, each one carries a spark of the unique mix that defines Hell Is Us. If you’re on the hunt for similar games with brutal combat, story-rich narratives, and the haunting tone of dark fantasy action RPGs, these titles will keep you hooked, challenged, and immersed for hours.