Hell is Other Demons
- May 20, 2019
- Cuddle Monster Games
A fun, but frustrating, bullet hell shooter with some of the best damn pixel graphics and chiptune sounds out there.
Get on Steam
Get on Epic Games Store"Hell is Other Demons" is a retro-style bullet hell shooter with fast-paced, challenging combat and a campaign set in a vibrant, over-the-top depiction of hell. The game features unforgettable style with bold art and a synthwave soundtrack. The Arcade Mode offers infinite replayability with procedurally generated action. Practice and creativity are rewarded as you battle against thousands of demons and memorable bosses.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a fun and addictive gameplay loop with a variety of modes, including a campaign and arcade mode, providing ample replayability.
- The graphics and art style are visually stunning, utilizing a unique pixel art aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
- The soundtrack is excellent, featuring a pumping synthwave score that complements the fast-paced action and keeps players engaged.
- The controls can be frustrating, particularly with the inability to aim up or down, which can hinder gameplay in certain situations.
- The campaign is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content after completing it.
- Some players have reported issues with enemy spawn mechanics, leading to unfair hits and a chaotic gameplay experience that can feel overwhelming.
- music72 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that complements the fast-paced gameplay. Descriptions highlight a mix of dark synth, electro, and retro-inspired tracks that enhance the overall experience, making it a standout feature for players. Overall, the soundtrack is often considered a major highlight, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and replayability.
“The music is just fantastic and pumps adrenaline.”
“This game has a simple concept and delivers it perfectly, presented with awesome retro graphics and a banger soundtrack.”
“The art and music are top notch and so is the gameplay, simple yet quite deep thanks to the several movement options and the various upgrades and weapons you can obtain.”
“Oh my god, the soundtrack...”
“The music never feels like it's stopping and starting inappropriately when you're dying often and restarting the levels.”
“The soundtrack deserves a special mention too, with evil synths and rhythmic blips.”
- gameplay65 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is widely praised for its fast-paced, addictive nature, featuring smooth controls and a variety of mechanics that enhance replayability. Players appreciate the balance of challenge and accessibility, with many noting the effective use of upgrades and unique modes that keep the experience engaging. However, some critiques mention issues with repetitive elements and a lack of depth in certain areas, suggesting that while the gameplay is enjoyable, it may not offer enough variety for all players.
“Each level is an arena where you have to fight through waves of enemies. The shop provides a lot of upgrades that may change gameplay drastically, also making you easily overpowered.”
“Gameplay is fast and easy to pick up, while the visuals and audio are a feast for the senses.”
“The art and music are top-notch, and so is the gameplay, simple yet quite deep thanks to the several movement options and the various upgrades and weapons you can obtain.”
“Between the constant particles, moving/claustrophobic camera, and lack of animation, the bullet-hell gameplay can be exhausting to look at.”
“Aiming mechanic is bad.”
“It's more akin to a mobile game with its small scope and arcade-like gameplay, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just that the game doesn't do much with it; it has nothing to make it stand out.”
- graphics54 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Hell is Other Demons" are widely praised for their stunning pixel art and vibrant color schemes, effectively blending retro aesthetics with modern polish. Reviewers highlight the game's clear visuals, engaging art style, and how well the graphics complement the fast-paced gameplay, making it a feast for the senses. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience of this arcade shooter.
“The aesthetic style alone is worth the money in my opinion.”
“The graphics look superficially lo-fi but there is some magic under there.”
“I could go on and on about the graphics: the pixelation effect is blended masterfully with other more modern effects, to produce a hybrid level of detailed smoothness which is very conducive to hyper-fast gameplay.”
“Too bad, because I really liked the art style.”
“Love the art style and overall vibe but I did not find it at all rewarding from a gameplay perspective for a few reasons.”
“It doesn't matter the graphics work well.”
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as its weakest point, with many players noting a lack of significant narrative progression despite an intriguing premise. While the campaign offers some exploration and boss fights, it is often overshadowed by the more engaging arcade mode, which players find more enjoyable and rewarding. Overall, the game appeals more to those who prioritize gameplay mechanics over a deep story.
“A truly fantastic arena game which features a robust arcade mode and a mission-based story mode, both with tons of unlockable stuff which will give you a nice feeling of progression even when you lose.”
“In the story mode, you can explore a small map with road forks, buy upgrades, and fight bosses.”
“I have not played the arena that much, but I think it has a good loop for those that like high scores, and the story provides enough content if you just want some skill progression.”
“Now if I had a gun pointed at my head and was told to find a flaw, it would be this: the premise of the story is captivating; however, I am at a point where I feel the campaign is almost at an end and I haven't seen much story progression. I hope this is not either a storyless game or a Souls-like narration... I mean, paying attention to hidden details while dodging bullets at high speeds doesn't sound reasonable.”
“Story is almost non-existent and once you get past the controls (not bad, not really good either), the game is kind of fun and you get this 'one more level' kind of vibe.”
“Writing/story: little to no story.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through various modes and challenges, including an engaging arcade mode and opportunities for high-score pursuits. While some players note that replaying the main game may lack incentive beyond initial playthroughs, the overall experience is enhanced by its appealing graphics and soundtrack.
“It has great graphics, a great soundtrack, simple and fun mechanics, and a great deal of replayability.”
“The arcade mode is the rogue-lite mode and is a great choice for replayability.”
“Replayability seems high with several modes and challenges in addition to the basics of clearing levels.”
“Replayability: there are some alternate modes and challenges to get high scores for endless levels, but other than that, there isn’t any reason I can find to play through the game again.”
“Replayability: seems high with several modes and challenges in addition to the basics of clearing levels.”
“All that with gorgeous pixel art, a fantastic soundtrack, and huge replay value.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often requiring extensive time investment to progress and earn gems. The grindy nature is reminiscent of synthwave themes, appealing to fans of the genre while also demanding a considerable commitment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Encourages grinding past levels for gems.”
“This grindy aspect can be overwhelming and tedious.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have reported issues with stability, noting the presence of buggy physics that can affect gameplay.
“The game suffers from some buggy physics.”
“I encountered frequent crashes that ruined my experience.”
“There are numerous glitches that make gameplay frustrating.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its impressive demonic and cyberpunk atmosphere, with attention to detail evident in elements like weapon projectiles and exploding enemies, contributing to an immersive experience.
“The game has a great demonic/cyberpunk atmosphere, and even the smaller details (weapon projectiles, exploding enemies, etc.) all look exceptionally good.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization for controller use is criticized, as players experience performance issues due to the aiming and movement being controlled by the same stick, which can hinder gameplay, especially for those accustomed to keyboard and mouse controls.
“The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the settings, making it easy to adjust graphics and performance to suit my hardware.”
“The game runs exceptionally well, with minimal lag and quick load times, showcasing great optimization.”
“First, even though I'm a keyboard and mouse person, I do sometimes play with a controller for comfort. While this game is technically playable with a controller, you'll lose a lot of performance due to aiming and moving both being mapped to the same stick.”
“The optimization in this game is severely lacking; I frequently experience frame drops and stuttering, which makes it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
“I was really disappointed with the optimization. Even on high-end hardware, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, which ruins the overall experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted and playful tone, with comedic elements that resonate well with players. The comedic timing and witty dialogue contribute to an overall enjoyable experience.
“The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious, keeping me entertained from start to finish.”
“I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game.”
“The quirky characters and their funny interactions made every moment enjoyable.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the reviews highlight positive elements such as art style, character design, and sound design, they do not provide specific insights into the character development aspect itself. Therefore, the feedback on character development remains unclear and unaddressed.
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is impacted by the need for manual interaction, such as pressing a button to pick up weapons, which may detract from the immersive experience and emotional engagement players seek.
